Exodus 6

Exodus 6:1

THE LORD said] It may be by inward inspiration, for here is no mention of any outward apparition.

with a strong hand] My hand shall be so strong, and heavie upon him, that he shall not onely be content to dismisse you, as Exod. 3 20. but ready also, (with all his power) to expell you, rather then to keepe you captives any longer.

Exodus 6:3

by the Name of God Almightie] Heb. Elshaddai. By that name he manifested himselfe, first to Abraham, Genesis 17:1. and afterwards to Isaac and Jacob.

but by my Name JEHOVAH] This name is derived from Haja, which signifieth, is or hath beene. The former name signifieth (but in part) the nature of God, especially his Almighty power; but the name Jehovah importeth all his infinite perfections; especially first his being of himselfe, before the World was made, Isaiah 44:6. Secondly, his giving being to the creatures, Acts 17:25. And thirdly, his making good his promises by full, and answerable effects. The Jewes out of a superstitious respect to that name, (where they meet with it) forbeare to pronounce it, and used the name Adonai, in stead of it.

was I not knowne] It seemes to have beene known to Abraham, Genesis 22:14. to Isaac, chap. 26. 24. and to Jacob, chap. 27. 20. The first mention of it we find, is in Genesis 2:4. when the Creation of the world was perfected, and not before: but though the Ancients (before Moses his time) knew him by his Name Jehovah, and according to all the importance of it fore-mentioned, yet was not God so fully known by that name unto them (especially as it importeth performance of promise) as he was to their posteritie, in Moses his time, by the actuall and admirable accomplishment of his promise, in their deliverance from Egypt, and conduct to Canaan. Their Ancestors had but a dimme and darke apprehension of that, which they are promised to have in full view and experimentally to know, in respect whereof, the precedent knowledge was but as the light of the starres, when the Sunne appeareth. See Genesis 22:12. So that the words are not to be taken as a precise negation, but by way of comparison, as Matthew 9:13.

Exodus 6:5

heard their groaning] See the second Annotation on Exodus 2:23.

Exodus 6:6

great Judgements] That is, with plagues, as a just and judiciall revenge for their great contempts of me, and tyrannies over you.

Exodus 6:8

into the land concerning which] Genesis 28:13.

I sware] Heb. lift up my hand. Genesis 14:22. Ezekiel 20:15.

Exodus 6:9

hearkened not] The extremitie of their miserie made them first hopelesse, and then mindlesse of remedie, or redemption from it; and altogether incredulous, (for a time) as thinking the tidings too good, to be true.

anguish of spirit] Heb. straitnesse, or shortnesse of spirit, which made them, both indisposed to beleeve, and to apply themselves, to the meanes of their deliverance: immoderate passions are a great prejudice, not onely to Gods truth, but to mans welfare.

Exodus 6:12

of uncircumcised lips] Circumcision was the seale of Gods Covenant with his people, and so an honourable badge; though on a dishonourable part: and it noted the cutting off of the corruption of nature, especially in naturall generation: but the circumcision of the lips, (which in a literall sense would be a great affliction, and deformitie,) in a figurative meaning importeth, that which is commendable, and free from fault: so were not Moses lips. See Annot. chap. 4. 10.

Exodus 6:14

These be the heads of] Moses maketh (here) a digression from his maine Story, to note the descent of the promises from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to the present people; but especially to observe the line of Levi, of whom himself, the first Captaine of the people, and his brother Aaron the first high Priest, were descended; whose Priesthood was derived by succession to his posteritie; and this might be done the rather for an antidote against the fabulous reports of heathen Writers, (as of Justine, and Tacitus) who tell untruths of the Originall both of Moses, and of the people of the Jews: which (though they were many ages after) were apprehended as present, by the Spirit, which assisted Moses in the penning of this storie. For the like reason it is piously conceived that the Apostles made the decree against the eating of bloud, Acts 15:29. to secure the credite of the Christians against the calumnie of the heathens, who charged them with bloudy banquets, as is evident by Justine Martyr in Dial. cum Tryph. Tert. Apolog. and others.

the sonnes of Reuben] Genesis 46:9. 1 Chronicles 5:3. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, may be especially mentioned, rather then the heads of the other Tribes, lest they should be thought, to be rejected by reason of Jacobs severe commination against them, Genesis 49.

Exodus 6:15

and the sonnes of Simeon] 1 Chron. 4. 24.

Exodus 6:16

sonnes of Kohath] Numbers 26:57. 1 Chron. 6. 1. and 23. 6.

Exodus 6:20

his fathers sister] Chap. 2. vers. 1. The Vulgar Latine renders the Originall word, by cousin germane, that is, the unkles daughter, but not rightly, for it is no where in Scripture used in that sense. See Annot. Chap. 2. 5: 1.

Exodus 6:21

Korah] Moses and he were brothers children, whose rebellion was punished, Numbers 16:1.

Exodus 6:23

Naashon] In the Israelites returne from Egypt, he is brought in as a Prince of the Tribe of Judah, Numbers 1:7. whose sister Aaron married, though himselfe of the Tribe of Levi: for the law of restraint of marriages (within the severall Tribes) was not yet made; and when it was, it seemes it did not so restraine the Levites, who had no distinct portion, as the other Tribes had; and it appeares that the Tribe of Judah, and of Levi matched often: because (as some conceive) Christ was typified in this Tribe, and so was to be a Priest, as well as a King: yet Christ was not to be a Priest according to the order of Aaron, but of Melchisedec: See Heb. 7. of the law of marriage within the Tribes, see Num. 36. In this genealogie the modestie of Moses is manifest, since in the setting of it out, he honours his brother Aaron more then himselfe, naming him before himselfe, and bringing in himselfe as an accessarie, and assistant to him, vers. 26. though he were a sonne of the same Family, and his brother, both by the fathers and mothers sides, and in more honour and favour with God, then Araon was.

Exodus 6:26

that Aaron and Moses] Forementioned in the precedent story, and now Ambassadours to Pharaoh: so also vers. 27. but there it is Moses and Aaron: and indeed, Moses was Aarons superiour, Chap. 4. 16. yet he carrieth the matter of preeminence with so much moderation, that sometimes he seemeth to be, if not subordinate, yet second to Aaron.

armies] For their Families or Tribes were so great, and so composed in order, that they might be compared to Armies set in array, 1 Samuel 4:2. marching in Ranke, and File, in a Militarie manner.

Exodus 6:29

the LORD spake unto] So the Chapter began and Gods speech to Moses broken off, by this genealogie, he returneth to the story he had begun.

Exodus 6:30

how shall Pharaoh] Moses reflecteth too much upon his owne infirmitie, and unfitnesse to be Gods messenger to Pharaoh, and thinketh too little upon that, which God said he would performe: else confidence on Gods word and power, would have bred more boldnesse, and courage in him, in his Ambassage unto Pharah. It is good to take sufficient notice of our owne insufficiencie for any great service: yet so, as that we serve God (in what imployment soever) with beliefe of his promises, and obedience to his commands, and not to thinke so much on opposition to our proceedings, as on the predominance of his power, who must and will prevaile against all the might and contumacie of men.