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George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Exodus 23:14

Three. Women are not here mentioned; but they are, Deuteronomy xxxi. 12. Children under 13 were exempted from the obligation, according to the Caraites. Men from 20 to 60, not lawfully hindered, were bound to appear, Leviticus xxvii. 3. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:10-19

10-19 Every seventh year the land was to rest. They must not plough or sow it; what the earth produced of itself, should be eaten, and not laid up. This law seems to have been intended to teach dependence on Providence, and God's faithfulness in sending the larger increase while they kept his appointments. It was also typical of the heavenly rest, when all earthly labours, cares, and interests shall cease for ever. All respect to the gods of the heathen is strictly forbidden. Since idolatry was... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Exodus 23:10-19

The Holy Periods and Feasts v. 10. And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof, whatever it yields under careful cultivation; v. 11. but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still, let it remain unused, make no attempt to cultivate it, that the poor of thy people may eat, namely, that produced by the land without cultivation, the so-called volunteer grain; and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. This fallowing of the land would... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Exodus 23:1-33

c.—First form of the law of the political commonwealthExodus 21:1 to Exodus 23:33a. Right of Personal Freedom (according to Bertheau, ten in number)1Now these are the judgments [ordinances] which thou shalt set before them. 2If [when] thou buy [buyest] an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3If he came [come] in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were [be] married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master have... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Exodus 23:1-17

Laws of Conduct and Worship Exodus 23:1-17 We may apply these various precepts to our own hearts. Many of them breathe the very spirit of Christ. We must watch our speech, so that no man’s character may suffer by our gossip or slander. We must dare to stand for the truth, though we stand absolutely alone. With all kindness and good will we must save our neighbor from damage, even though he has vented on us his spleen. It is never for us to take advantage of him; God will deal with him on our... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Exodus 23:1-33

The enactments now recorded have to do with the administration of justice. A study of them reveals that true justice is always merciful and yet makes sterner demand than any moral code of laws. The divine estimate of justice forbids wresting judgment, accepting bribes, and oppression. The feasts of the Lord are placed in their relation to the people's social life. The sabbatical year was arranged in the interests of the poor. The rest of the Sabbath is more than selfish, cattle and servants... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 23:14

THREE TIMES A YEAR‘Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year.’ Exodus 23:14 I. Thanksgiving and thankoffering, systematically cultivated by Divine ordinances.—‘Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God.’ Why? To remember God’s goodness, to give thanks to His name, and to offer gifts. Each of these meetings was to be a National Thanksgiving, ( a) ‘The Feast of Unleavened Bread,’ or Passover, was designed to keep the Exodus in perpetual remembrance;... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:1-33

Expansion of the Ten Words of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22 to Exodus 23:33 ). In this section, which is composed of elements put together mainly in chiastic form (see later), Yahweh expands on the Ten Words of the covenant. Notice that it begins with ‘and Yahweh said to Moses’. This proceeds as follows: a Instructions concerning future worship in obedience to the commandments in Exodus 20:3-5, for He will be with them and record His name in places where they go (Exodus 20:22-26). b ... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:14-17

Regulations Concerning The Annual Feasts (Exodus 23:14-19 ). The people have arrived at Mount Sinai and are preparing for what lies ahead. These laws are therefore providing them with a blueprint of that future and acting as a spur. It is always a sign of good leadership to picture the final fulfilment of what is in front as an encouragement in the face of difficulties. As these specific regulations for the future were read out to them at various times and seen as God’s law they would renew... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 23:10-19

Exodus 23:10-Psalms : E. Calendar and Rules for Worship.— This passage may originally have followed Exodus 23-26 in the Covenant Book. It has been expanded, Exodus 23:13 being a conclusion (perhaps displaced from after Exodus 23:19), and Exodus 23:15 b, Exodus 23:17, and Exodus 23:19 copied by a harmonist from Exodus 34:18; Exodus 34:20; Exodus 34:23; Exodus 34:25 J. Every seventh year the land ( i.e. probably each owner’ s, not the whole country at once) was to be fallow, not from a... read more

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