Deuteronomy 25

3. Forty stripes. The Jews, in practice, allowed only thirty-nine to be given, lest the number should be inadvertently exceeded: see 2 Cor. xi. 24.

4. Thou shalt not muzzle the ox. Threshing in Palestine was performed by oxen, who were driven over the corn spread out upon a level floor, open to the air. This command enjoins a kind consideration for the beasts.

5 no child. Lit., “no son,” R.V.

9. Then shall, etc. This appears to have been a concessive command, which enabled a man, by submitting to a small indignity, to escape compliance with a prevalent custom.

loose his shoe. See note on Ruth iv. 7.

13 divers weights. Lit., “stone and stone.”

19 blot out the remembrance of Amalek. Some centuries later, Saul was ordered to put this sentence into execution (1 Sam. xv., see notes); and he incurred Divine displeasure because he did not do it effectually. The Amalekites who remained were afterwards smitten by David (1 Sam. xxx.), and subsequently by the Simeonites in Hezekiah’s time (1 Chron. iv. 43).

E