Numbers 33
DOYLYNumbers 33:52
- — destroy all their pictures.] All those images and representations, upon what material soever they were wrought, which were worshipped, or designed for such an use. Compare Deut. xvi. 22, with Lev. xxvi. 1. Bp. Kidder.
— high places.] That is, all groves or buildings for worship, which were generally in high places. See Deut. xii. 2. Bp. Kidder.
Numbers 33:55
- — if ye will not drive out &c.] At first they could not drive them out, for it was not God’s design. Therefore Joshua would not attempt it, while he lived: but left several nations, or part of them, unsubdued, Judg. ii. 21, 23; of which he himself takes notice a little before he died, Josh. xxiii. 4, 7, where he warns the Israelites to have nothing to do with them, promising
that God would in time expel them quite, chap. v. 5. But when the Israelites grew slothful and cowardly, and negligently suffered the people of Canaan to dwell among them, and make friendship with them, as they did after Joshua and all that generation were dead, then followed what is here threatened in the next words. Bp. Patrick.
— shall be pricks in your eyes, &c.] Bring very sore calamities upon you: as grievous and as mischievous as a wound made in the eye, which is a most tender part; or in the side when a thorn sticks and festers in it. Bp. Patrick.
Numbers 33:56
- — I shall do unto you as I thought to do unto them.] As I purposed to do unto them: that is, I will make you their slaves, as the Israelites became to several peo-