Gen 17:10-14, 26-27, 18:19, 34:24, Jos 5:2-9, Psa 119:60, Pro 27:1, Ecc 9:10 | TSK | STEP

hearkened.In thus falling into this measure, the Shechemites must either have had great affection for their chief and his son, or have been under the influence of the most passive obedience. The petty princes of Asia have always been absolute and despotic; their subjects paying them the most prompt and blind obedience. The following instance will sufficiently illustrate and confirm this statement: Abu Thaher, chief of the Carmathians, about the year 930, with only 500 horse, went to lay siege to Bagdad: the khalif's general marched out to seize him; but before the attack, sent an officer to summon him to surrender. "How many men has the khalif's general?" said Abu Thaher; "30,000," replied the officer. "Among them all," says the Carmathian chief, "has he got three like mine?" Then ordering his followers to approach, he commanded one to stab himself, another to throw himself from a precipice, and a third to plunge into the Tigris: all three instantly obeyed, and perished! Then turning to the officer, he said, "He who has such troops need not value the number of his enemies!"

went out.

23:10,18

every male.

17:23; Isa 1:10-16; Mt 7:6; Ro 2:28,29; 1Co 7:19

Joshua 5:2-9

sharp knives. or, knives of flints.Before the use of iron was common, all the nations of the earth had their edge tools made of stones, flints, etc. Our ancestors had their arrows and spearheads made of flint; which are frequently turned up by the plough. And even when iron became more common, stone knives seem to have been preferred for making incisions in the human body. The Egyptians used such to open the bodies for embalming; and the tribe of Alnajab in Ethiopia, who follow the Mosaic institution, perform the rite of circumcision, according to Ludolf, {cultris lapidibus,} with knives made of stone.

circumcise.

Ge 17:10-14; De 10:16; 30:6; Ro 2:29; 4:11; Col 2:11

Joshua.

Ge 17:23-27; Mt 16:24

the hill of the foreskins. or, Gibeah haaraloth.

All the.

Nu 14:22; 26:64,65; De 2:16; 1Co 10:5; Heb 3:17-19

they had not.

De 12:8,9; Ho 6:6,7; Mt 12:7; Ro 2:26; 1Co 7:19; Ga 5:6; 6:15

walked.

Nu 14:32-34; De 1:3; 2:7,14; 8:4; Ps 95:10,11; Jer 2:2

sware that.