Ver. 2. Beaten for the light.] Ministers must beat their brains, and bend their utmost endeavours to “give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide their feet into the way of peace”: as that “burning and shining light,” the Baptist, did. (Luke 1:79)
Ver. 3. From the evening unto the morning.] In the morning it went out. (1 Samuel 3:3)
Ver. 4. Upon the pure candlestick.] Pure, because daily purified by the priests: so must our consciences be from dead works by daily repentance.
Ver. 5. Twelve cakes.] [See Trapp on “Mt 12:4”]
Ver. 6. Six on a row.] One by another, not one upon another, as they are commonly painted.
Ver. 7. On the bread.] Or, Instead of the bread.
Ver. 8. Every Sabbath.] So must the bread of life be every Sabbath at least set before the saints.
Ver. 9. Made by fire.] The frankincense laid upon them, was.
Ver. 10. Whose father was an Egyptian.] His mother taught him to speak, his father to blaspheme. Strove together.] In the beat of contention, what will not men say or do? “ … qui non moderabitur irae, Indictum velit esse, dolor quod suaserit, et mens.”
Ver. 11. Blasphemed the name, &c.] Heb., Bored it through; gored it; pierced it; as did those Syrians, slain by the fall of the wall of Aphek; Rabshakeh that dead dog; (Isaiah 36:4-6) Julian the apostate, Chosroes the Persian, the raging Turk at the siege of Scodra; that foul mouthed Papist that dared say, The God of the Protestants is worse than Pan, god of clowns, which can endure no ceremonies nor good manners at all. To these add Paul Best, who hath lately published blasphemous verses against the Trinity. See the “London Ministers’ Testimonial to the Truth of Jesus Christ.” Turk. Hist., 423. Sheldon’s Mark of the Beast, epis. dedic.
Ver. 12. That the mind.] God had not yet made a particular law against blasphemy. Solon made no law against parricide, Lycurgus none against ingratitude; because they thought no such offence would be committed.
Ver. 14. And let all that heard him.] The Jews at this day abhor the blasphemies of Christians, so openly and ordinarily darted up with hellish mouths against God. The Turks punish their prisoners sorely, when as, through impatience or desperateness, they break out into them. Spec. Europ.
Ver. 15. Curseth his God.] This is worse than blaspheming, as implying a deep and desperate malignity. There is a negative cursing of God, concerning which see Job 1:5. [See Trap on “Job 1:5”]
Ver. 16. And he that blasphemeth.] Swearers and blasphemers toss God’s name to and fro with such impiety and profaneness, as if their speech could have no grace but in his disgrace: as if Augustus Caesar were dealing with some god Neptune; or the three sons trying their archery at their father’s heart, to see who can shoot nearest. Shall surely be put to death.] Though he be never so much provoked by others, as this blasphemer was; that shall no whit excuse him. Lonicer, Theat. Hist.
Ver. 17. And he that killeth any man.] Though in hot blood; Scripture makes no difference between murder and man slaughter. [See Trapp on “Ge 9:6”]
Ver. 19. As he hath done.] God loves to retaliate; it is his usual manner of proceeding in punishing.