(19) The sin here denounced was common among the Canaanitish nations (Leviticus 18:24), and not unknown in Egypt (Herod. ii. 46). It was therefore necessary that God’s abhorrence of it should be distinctly declared to Israel. read more
(20) He that sacrificeth.—Sacrifice in this place represents worship generally, being its most essential act. Elsewhere the death-penalty is affixed to any acknowledgment of false gods (Deuteronomy 13:1-16).Shall be utterly destroyed.—Heb., Shall be devoted, i.e., devoted to destruction. read more
6THE LESSER LAW.Exodus 20:18 - Exodus 23:33.With the close of the Decalogue and its universal obligations, we approach a brief code of laws, purely Hebrew, but of the deepest moral interest, confessed by hostile criticism to bear every mark of a remote antiquity, and distinctly severed from what precedes and follows by a marked difference in the circumstances.This is evidently the book of the Covenant to which the nation gave its formal assent (Exodus 24:7), and is therefore the germ and the... read more
CHAPTER XXII.THE LESSER LAW (continued).PART IV.Exodus 22:16 - Exodus 23:19.The Fourth section of this law within the law consists of enactments, curiously disconnected, many of them without a penalty, varying greatly in importance, but all of a moral nature, and connected with the well-being of the state. It is hard to conceive how the systematic revision of which we hear so much could have left them in the condition in which they stand.It is enacted that a seducer must marry the woman he has... read more
CHAPTER 22 Further judgments 1. Concerning theft (Exodus 22:1-5 ) 2. Concerning neglect in case of fire (Exodus 22:6 ) 3. Concerning dishonesty (Exodus 22:7-15 ) 4. Concerning immoralities and forbidden things (Exodus 22:16-20 ) 5. Concerning oppression (Exodus 22:21-28 ) 6. Concerning offerings to God (Exodus 22:29-31 ) These laws need no further comment; they are good and just. The wisdom of them is the wisdom from above. We call attention to Exodus 22:18 : “Thou shalt not suffer... read more
LAWS AS REGARDS PROPERTY (vs.1-15) While one rightly was control over his own property, yet he is also responsible as to how he uses it. If one were to dig a pit, even on his own property, and leave it uncovered, he would he responsible for an animal falling into it. If the animal died, the owner of the pit must pay the value of the animal, and could therefore keep the dead beast (v.34). In the case of one man's ox killing one belonging to another person, then half the value of the live ox... read more
THE CIVIL CODE The ten commandments constitute the moral law, a perfect rule of duty for all men and everywhere. But the “judgments” (Exodus 21:1 ) that follow are an application of those commandments to Israel in the peculiar circumstances of their history at that time and when they should inhabit Canaan. The ten commandments, let us say, represent the constitution of the United States, and the judgments the legislative enactments based thereon by Congress. The three chapters now entered... read more
Negative Commandments Exodus 22-23 We cannot read the book of Exodus without being struck by the number of things which we are not to do. These detailed and emphatic prohibitions we may regard under the name of negative commandments. We are not left to ourselves in any instance to determine a case of doubt; from beginning to end the Divine voice is clear, and direct, and final in its tone. These negative commandments are interesting upon every ground; but perhaps especially so as revealing... read more
Lev_19:31; Lev_20:6; Lev_20:27 . read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 22:18
(18) Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.—The word translated “witch” in this passage is the feminine singular of that rendered by “sorcerers” in Exodus 7:11, and means “a mutterer of charms.” The use of the feminine form can only be accounted for by supposing that, practically, witchcraft was at the time mainly professed by females. Whether “witches” had actual help from evil spirits, or only professed to work magical effects by their aid, the sin against God was the same. Jehovah was... read more