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4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require: at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

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6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

e 1:29,30. Rom. 14:3,14,17. 1i Acts 17:26.
Cor. 10:25,31. Col. 2:16,21,22. j Ex. 21:12-14. Lev. 24:17.
f Lev. 3:17. 17:10-14. 19:26. 1 Kings 2:5,6,28-34. Matt.
Deut. 12:16,23. 14:21. 15:23. 26:52. Rom. 134. Rev. 19:
Acts 15:20,29. 1 Tim. 4:4.
10.

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cause they were the appointed progenitors of a new race of men; (Note, 1:28.) and he added several things, both for warning and encouragement, adapted to their situation. The dominion over the animal creation, which had

however numerous, powerful, and haughty they may be; and also "to deliver the godly out of temptation" in the best time and manner, though few, despised, and helpless. (2 Pet. 2:9.) For a season he seems to forget his afflicted children, and they are prone to judge accord-been forfeited by sin, was again conceded; yet ing to appearances; but in due season he will with some variation from the original grant. manifest his kind and careful remembrance of It is probable, that the subjection of the anithem.-The devoted servant of God will make mals before the fall, was voluntary, and that haste to keep his commandments; and patiently by instinct they regarded man as a friend: but wait his time for deliverance and promised since that event, it hath been more the result blessings. The faithfulness of God is the best of fear; most of them dreading him as a powsecurity; and it is given to all them that trust || erful enemy, whom they must either submit to in him: for his glory is engaged for their salva- or flee from. We continually witness the fultion as much as for Noah's preservation.-Alas! filment of this promise, among creatures of all how many are there in the visible church, who sorts. The ease with which horses are managresemble the raven more than the dove! who ed, notwithstanding their strength and spirit, retain a relish for worldly things under a reli- and the severity with which they are treated; gious appearance; and who, in time of temp- and the safety with which large droves of oxen tation fall away!" But the true Christian, par- are goaded forward, frequently by a single taking of the Spirit of Christ, may indeed, youth, who, conscious of his superiority, fears through temptation, for a season quit the ark not them whilst they stand in awe of him; are and go to the world; but, like the dove, he can circumstances which would be deemed very find no rest till he returns to the Lord.-They wonderful, were they not so common: but they who are saved from destruction, must on earth are seldom considered as effected by the power, witness the desolations which sin makes, with and as proving the faithfulness and goodness, aching hearts and weeping eyes; and in many of God. Even the most savage of the wild things share in them. But the consolations of beasts have been, and are, tamed or subdued God will counterbalance these sorrows: and in by man, and have an instinctive dread of him; heaven all tears shall be wiped away; so that shunning populous places, and retreating into even the destruction of the wicked will in no forests and deserts; lying still all the day while wise abate the perfect felicity of the right-man is abroad, roaming forth when he retires eous. The mercy of God, the sacrifice of Christ, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, cause the difference between those who are saved, and those who perish: and the first use which we should make of deliverances from trouble, is to return thanks to God for his mercy, solemnly to devote ourselves to him and his service, and to seek anew his providential protection and gracious blessing. Nor can that be wasted, whether of our valued property or more valuable time, which is expended in the service of God, according to his appointment. Finally, the divine authority of the Scripture, as well as the faithfulness of God, is demonstrated in the regular course of the seasons of the year. May we therefore admire the goodness of the Lord, trust his providence, receive all from his love, and use all to his glory.

NOTES.

CHAP. IX. V. 1, 2. It is not said, in what manner the Lord revealed himself to Noah and his sons: but he renewed to them the blessing pronounced originally on our first parents, be

to rest; and seldom injuring him unless pinched by hunger, or provoked by opposition. (Note, Ps. 104:20-23.) Were this instinctive fear removed, and should the animals, couscious of their force, rise in general rebellion, what con fusion and devastation must ensue!

V. 3, 4. Perhaps, before the flood men had taken the liberty of eating flesh; but it seems not to have been explicitly allowed: the grant however, here given, fully warrants our use of the animals for food, but not the abuse of them by intemperance or cruelty. This is not here limited to any kind of animals; so that the distinction of clean and unclean must relate to the use of them in sacrifice: and the eating of blood seems principally to have been prohibited, because blood typified the great atonement. (Notes, Acts 15:19-29. Marg. Ref. f.) Yet this restriction might be intended as a check to cruelty; lest men, inured to shed and feed upon the blood of animals, should grow unfeeling, and be the less shocked at the idea of shedding human blood.

V. 5, 6. From this energetic declaration it

7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multi-nant which ply, bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

8 ¶ And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

1

9 And I, behold I, establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after

you;

10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you, from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood: neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

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12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I do set P my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

15 And I will remember my cove

1 11,17. 6:13. 17:7,8. Is. 54:9, 10.

m 3:1. Ps. 145:9. Jon. 4:11.

P

2:12. Matt. 26:26-28. 1 Cor.
11:23-25.

Ez. 1:28. Rev. 4:3. 10:1.

n 7:21-23. 8:21,22. 2 Pet. 3:q Ex. 28:12. Lev. 26:42-45. Ps. 106:45. Jer. 14:21. Ez. 16.00. Luke 1:72.

11.

o 17:11. Ex. 12:13. 13:16. Josh.

between me and you, and

every living creature of all flesh; and r the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant, between God and every living creature of all flesh, that is upon the earth.

17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

18 T And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and "Ham is the father of Canaan.

19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

20 ¶ And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard. 21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken, and he was uncovered within his tent.

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22 And Ham the father of Canaan saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

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first created, is defaced, yet the natural image remains: and it is the most daring act of rebellion against God to assault his visible image on earth, and destroy the life which he communicated.-It is observable that the reason, given for the punishment of the murderer with death, is taken from the affront which he offers to God, not from the injury which he does to

man.

certainly follows, that wilful murder ought invariably in all communities to be punished with death; whatever form it assumes, or however it|| may, by specious pretences, be extenuated: and that God will himself require it of those, who suffer the murderer to escape; so that the punishment due to murder will, in some way, be inflicted on them, as accessaries to the crime. This implies, that magistrates should be appointed, who might punish murderers with death; though in the case of Cain the Lord had been pleased to prohibit all men from slaying him. (Notes, 4:13-15. 2 Sam. 12:13.) Perhaps the impious inhabitants of the old world had been emboldened by the example of Cain; and no intimation is given, that any murderer was punished with death during all that period of violence. To impress the greater horror of destroying man's life, it was enjoined that even the beast which killed a man should be put to death. (Note, Ex. 21:28-32.)-It is a subject for serious inquiry, to all who are cordially affected to the welfare of these nations, how far national guilt is contracted, when so many are suffered to elude justice, who commit wilful, deliberate murder in duels; whilst many thieves are put to death, a punishment which God never commanded to be inflicted on them, and perhaps does not approve. The connivance also of British rulers in India at the murders committed by the inhabitants, in their idolatry and idolatrous customs, should not be forgotten. was prefigured. (Marg. Ref.) (Num. 35:33. 2 Kings 21:16. 24:4.) Though V. 19. Of them, &c.] This precludes the the moral image of God, in which man was at || conjecture, that Noah himself had other chil

V. 9-17. The word, rendered covenant, sometimes means a reciprocal agreement between two or more parties; and at other times a positive engagement made by one party, without any stipulation being required of the other: that established with Noah was of the latter sort. To obviate the fears of him and his posterity, the Lord engaged, that he would drown the earth no more, notwithstanding man's wickedness.-Probably, the rainbow had appeared before the flood, being the effect of natural causes: but it was now appointed to a new use, and made a seal and pledge of a particular engagement. This was confirmed by an everlasting covenant, or one which shall never be abolished. (Note, 17:7,8.) Without revelation this gracious assurance could not be known; and without faith it can be of no use to us: and thus it is in respect of a still greater and more imminent danger, to which all are exposed; and to the new covenant, with its blessings and securities, which in these events

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d Ex. 20:12. Lev. 19:32. Rom. 13:7. Gal. 6:1. 1 Tim. 5:17,19. 1 Pet. 2:17. 4:8.

e 22. 3:14. 4:11. 49:7. Deut. 27:

16. 28:18. Matt. 25:41.
f Josh. 9:23,27. Judg. 1:28-30.
1 Kings 9:20,21. 2 Chr. 8:7,8.

dren, though he lived above three hundred years after the flood.

excess.

26 And he said, & Blessed be the LORD • his God of Shem; and Canaan shall be servant.

27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

28 ¶ And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.

29 And all the days of Noah were * nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

g Deut. 33:26. Ps. 144:15.

↑ Or, persuade.

h 11:10-26. 12:1-3.-Luke 3: Mal. 1:11. Eph. 2:14,19. 36
k 5.5,20,27,32. 11:11-25.
33-36. Sem. Heb. 11:16.

* Or, servant to them. 27:37,40.

with dreadful destruction by the Greeks and Romans. The whole continent of Africa was V. 20-23. When Noah, after the deluge, 'peopled principally by the descendants of Ham: began again to cultivate the earth, he planted and for how many ages have the better parts a vineyard, made wine, and was betrayed into of that country lain under the dominion of the Some have thought that wine was now Romans, and then of the Saracens, and now of 'the Turks! In what wickedness, ignorance, first made of grapes, and that Noah, not aware of its effects, was surprised into drunkenness. barbarity, slavery, misery, live most of the -But this is highly improbable; for even in the inhabitants! and of the poor negroes, how many most savage tribes, the art of making intoxi-hundreds every year are sold and bought, like beasts in the market; and conveyed from one cating liquors is known: and though a man might plant two or three vines, for the sake of 'quarter of the world, to do the work of beasts in another!' Bp. Newton. This, however, in the grapes; who ever "planted a vineyard," exno measure vindicates the covetous and barbarcept for the sake of wine? Indeed, the fact ous oppression of those, who thus enrich themseems recorded by the inspired historian, with that perfect impartiality, which is peculiar to selves with the products of their sweat and the Scripture, as an instance and evidence of blood. God has not commanded us to enslave human frailty and imperfection. Ham appears negroes, as he did Israel to extirpate the Cato have been a man of bad character: and prob- naanites; and therefore, without doubt, he will ably he rejoiced to find his father in so unbe- severely punish this cruel injustice.—True recoming a situation; that, by exposing him, he ligion has hitherto flourished very little among Ham's descendants; they remain to this day might retaliate for the reproofs, which he had received from his parental authority: and perhaps almost entire strangers to Christianity; and Canaan first discovered Noah's situation, and their condition in every age has remarkably told it to Ham. In that case, the event must coincided with this prediction. (Notes, Ez. 26: have occurred several years after the flood;32:) There never has been à son of Ham, for there were but eight persons in the ark, and consequently Ham had no children at that time. The conduct of Ham in exposing his father to his brethren, and their behavior in turning away from the sight of his disgrace, form a striking contrast. (Marg. Ref.)

V. 24, 25. This portion of Scripture, though
attended with some difficulties, evidently con-
tains a remarkable prophecy, which was re-
corded for the encouragement of the Israelites,
in warring against the devoted Canaanites.-
There is no authority for altering the text, and
reading as some do, "Cursed be Ham the father
of Canaan:" yet the frequent mention of Ham,
as the father of Canaan, suggests the thought,
Ham is
that the latter was also criminal.
thought to have been the second, and not the
youngest, son of Noah: (Note, 10:1.) and if so,
the words, "knew what his younger son had
done," refer to Canaan his grandson.-Ham
must have felt it a very mortifying rebuke,
when his own father was inspired on this occa-
sion, to predict the durable oppression and
slavery of his posterity: Canaan also was re-
buked, by learning that the curse would es-
pecially rest on that branch of the family, which
should descend from him: for his posterity were
no doubt principally, though not exclusively in-
tended. The devoted nations, which God de-
stroyed before Israel, were descended from
Canaan: and so were the Phenicians and the
Carthaginians, who were at length subjugated

who has shaken a sceptre over the head of
Japheth. Shem hath subdued Japheth, and Ja-
pheth subdued Shem: but Ham never subdued
either.' Mede. This must be understood, with
some exceptions in the first ages of the world:
for the Egyptians enslaved Israel, and it is re-
corded that they made extensive conquests in
(2 Chr. 12:2-4.) Nimrod, it also seems
Asia.
probable, subjugated and tyrannized over the
descendants of Shem, when he "went to Ashur
and built Nineveh." (Note, 10:8-12.)

V. 26. The descendants of Shem, in the line
of Arphaxad, Eber, and Peleg, included all the
posterity of Abraham; and the Lord Jesus, “in
whom all the nations of the earth are blessed,"
sprang from him.-Thus JEHOVAH was especially
"the God of Shem." His descendants com-
prised a vast majority of the worshippers of the
true God, till the coming of Christ; and after-
wards they were the first and principal instru-
ments of bringing other nations to share the
blessings of his salvation; so that the descen-
dants of the other sons of Noah, when converted
to Christianity, are taught to worship and "bless
JEHOVAH the God of Shem." (Note, Zech. 8:
20-23.)-The posterity of Abraham also sub-
jugated or destroyed the posterity of Canaan;
and the nations, which sprang from Shem by
his other sons, have prospered greatly, enjoyed
fruitful countries, and been far more civilized
than the race of Ham.

V. 27. Japheth seems to have been the pro

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genitor of above half the human race: and the principal success of the gospel, in the calling of the Gentiles, has hitherto been among his descendants. (Notes, 10:1-5.) Thus God has enlarged Japheth, and persuaded him, (as some render the word, marg.) “to dwell in the tents of Shem," by receiving the Gospel from preachers of Abraham's race, who descended from Shem; and so obtaining admission into the church. The descendants of Japheth have also obtained that dominion, under the Grecian and Roman Empires, and in subsequent ages, which was for a long time chiefly possessed by the posterity of Shem. Indeed, even a general knowledge of the outlines of history will suffice to satisfy the serious inquirer, that the descendants of Canaan have been subjected to those of Shem and Japheth, through many generations: and the extraordinary accomplishment of this prediction, which contains almost a prophetic history of the world, vindicates Noah from the suspicion of having uttered it from personal resentment; and fully proves that the Spirit of God took occasion, from Ham's misconduct, to reveal his secret purposes, for a very important benefit to posterity even to this day. (Notes, 48: 49:)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-23.

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further wickedness, of various kinds, in themselves and others.-But, though the righteous fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; nor is a single act of sin, inadvertently committed, to be looked upon in the same light, as allowed and habitual transgression: the former may be the blemish of the saint, the latter is the brand of the hypocrite.-In honoring parents, magistrates, seniors, and other honorable characters, we ought to imitate the example of Shem and Japheth; not only respecting their wisdom and goodness, but covering their incidental blemishes and failures: for a peculiar blessing belongs to those who act in this manner; but an awful curse awaits such as copy the pattern of Canaan or Ham, in their conduct towards those whom God has commanded them to honor. V. 24-29.

We should carefully observe, and continually keep in mind, how fully these prophecies, so evidently fulfilling in all nations and ages, demonstrate the divine original of the Bible; that we may receive the instructions and commands of God, with more implicit faith and obedience. Thus we shall learn our guilt and danger; and, fleeing from the wrath and curse which is coming on the impenitent and unbelieving, we shall embrace the invitations of the gospel, accept of its precious salvation, rely on the security of the new Covenant, and patiently wait for the blessings, which will assuredly be conferred on all believers. Then we shall be safe in those wasting calamities, which sweep others into destruction: and, though what we witness or experience may give us great pain, and may even afford lamentable proof of our weakness and depravity; yet we shall be carried through all trials and temptations, and overcome all our enemies; we shall be made instruments of good to others; and at length find, that all the promises of the Scripture have been fulfilled to us, and all our prayers that were grounded on them have been completely answered. "O LORD God of hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee!"

NOTES.

The blessing of God is the real cause of prosperity, personal, relative, and national.-With what thankfulness should we receive that immense advantage, ease, and pleasure, which result from the labor of the domestic animals, and which the flesh of so many creatures affords us; and the security that we enjoy from the assaults of the noxious and ferocious, through the fear and dread of man which God hath impressed upon them!-But, though God has constituted us masters, he will call us to an awful account if we act as tyrants; and avenge the cause of his oppressed creatures upon their oppressors.-How greatly then should we dread murder, and all those passions which produce that enormous crime! Though the murderer may escape, or bribe, or outbrave, human justice; yet, except he repent, he shall never escape the vengeance of God.—The Lord takes care to obviate the fears and anxieties of his people; and we should copy the example of his kindness in this and in every other instance.But what is man in his best estate! "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall:" and let not him, who has triumphed over great temptations, be secure even in respect of such as are less; for they who have behaved well in the worst of company, and amidst the V. 2-5. The sacred writer was about to worst examples, are not safe even in solitude. enter upon the history of Abraham and his Let us then watch and pray, and not be high-family, to which his narrative would afterwards minded, but fear; and remember that drunkenness is a sin especially to be shunned, as it both exposes men to shame, and is an occasion of

CHAP. X. V. 1. Shem, the progenitor of Abraham, and of the Messiah, is constantly placed first, when the sons of Noah are enumerated; and Japheth last: yet it is generally supposed that Japheth was the eldest son of Noah, and Shem the youngest. (21.) Accordingly, in this chapter, the posterity of Japheth are first mentioned.-After the flood.] This confirms the supposition, that Noah's sons had no children till after the flood.

be principally confined: but before he did this, he was led to give a general account of the several branches of Noah's family, from which

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the Mauritanians.-In short, all Africa is supposed to have been peopled by Ham's posterity: besides the Philistines, Canaanites, and Pheni cians.

the original of many nations may be distinctly traced. And, in like manner, before he enters on the history of Isaac, he gives a brief account of the descendants of Ishmael, and of Abraham's sons by Keturah; and before he confines V. 8-12. Nimrod seems at first to have his narrative to Jacob's family, he states some exceedingly distinguished himself by hunting, particulars concerning Esau's posterity. (25: which was then not so much a diversion, as a 1-18. 36:)—This chapter, as a kind of intro- useful method of preventing the hurtful induction to universal history, implies many things crease of wild beasts. This employment reafterwards related. It is supposed by many quired great courage and address, and exposed learned men, and shewn at least by probable a man to much danger and hardship; and thus arguments, that the descendants of Gomer, afforded a field for ambition to aspire after preJapheth's eldest son, settled in the northern eminence, and gradually attached a number of parts of Asia Minor, and then spread into the valiant men to one leader. From such a beCimmerian Bosphorus, and the adjacent regions: ginning, it is likely, that Nimrod began to claim and that from them the numerous tribes of the authority, and enforce subjection. In fact, he Gauls, Germans, Celts, and Cimbrians descend-is the first king, of whom we read in authentic ed. The Scythians, Tartars, and other north-history; and afterward he took occasion to wage ern nations, are supposed to be descendants of Magog, Meshech, and Tubal; the Medes, of Madai; the Ionians, and indeed all the Greeks, of Javan; and the Thracians of Tiras. Nearly all the inhabitants of Europe, and probably of America, descended from Japheth, besides those of the northern regions of Asia.-"The isles of the Gentiles" generally mean the parts of Europe, most known to the ancient inhabitants of Asia. The inhabitants of Britain are in general descended from Japheth, and especially concerned in "the isles of the Gentiles."-The reader, by examining carefully the marginal references, may perceive, in several particulars, some of the grounds on which these conclusions rest: but it would be improper, in this place, to enter on so complicated a subject.

V. 6, 7. From Cush, the son of Ham, the Ethiopians in Africa, and many tribes in Asia, (inhabiting part of Arabia, and often improperly called Ethiopians,) were evidently descended. Mizraim was the ancestor of the Egyptians, Cyrenians, and Lybians; or (the word being plural) it may be the general name of the family or tribe, whence they sprang; and Phut of

war to extend his conquests, and to enlarge his acquisitions by violence and blood. Thus, in a daring manner casting off the fear of God, and acting in defiance of his late prohibition of shedding human blood, Nimrod rendered him self notorious, and his name became a proverb. When he had erected a kingdom at Babel, "he went forth out of that land to Asshur, and builded Nineveh." Thus the words may be rendered, (marg.) and this appears to be the true meaning of them; for the descendants of Ham are spoken of; not those of Shem, who had a son called Asshur. (22.) Nimrod seems to have been the principal person concerned, in building both Babylon and Nineveh.—The words translated, the city Rehoboth, are more properly rendered in the margin the streets of the city. Little interesting to us is known concerning the other cities here mentioned.

The Septuagint render the words translated "a mighty hunter," yiyas kuνnyos, a hunting giant. V. 13, 14. The names, being plural, seem to be those of families, not individuals.

V. 15-19. Several of these tribes are not

mentioned among the people, whom the Lord de

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