Lev 17:7, Deu 29:16, Jos 24:14, Eze 20:8 | TSK | STEP | unto devils. devils.{Seirim,} properly signifies hairy or hairy ones; and hence is used not only for he-goats, but also for some fabulous beings or sylvan gods, to whom was ascribed the form of goats. Maimonides says that the Zabian idolaters worshipped demons under the form of goats; and that this custom being spread among other nations, gave occasion to this precept. He-goats, however, are probably intended here, which were objects of divine honour among the Egyptians under the name of honour among the Egyptians under the name of Mendes. Herodotus says that all goats were worshipped in Egypt; but particularly he-goats. From these seem to have sprung Pan, Silenus, and the innumerable herd of those imaginary beings, fauns, satyrs, dryads, etc., all woodland gods, and held in veneration by the Greeks and Romans. gone a whoring.Though this phrase is equivalent, in Scripture, to that of committing idolatry, yet it is to be taken sometimes in a literal sense. Baalpeor and Ashtaroth were worshipped with obscene rite; and public prostitution formed a great part of the worship among the Egyptians, Moabites, Canaanites, Greeks, and Romans.

Leviticus 17:7

unto devils.

De 32:17; 2Ch 11:15; Ps 106:37; Joh 12:31; 14:30; 1Co 10:20

devils.{Seirim,} properly signifies hairy or hairy ones; and hence is used not only for he-goats, but also for some fabulous beings or sylvan gods, to whom was ascribed the form of goats. Maimonides says that the Zabian idolaters worshipped demons under the form of goats; and that this custom being spread among other nations, gave occasion to this precept. He-goats, however, are probably intended here, which were objects of divine honour among the Egyptians under the name of honour among the Egyptians under the name of Mendes. Herodotus says that all goats were worshipped in Egypt; but particularly he-goats. From these seem to have sprung Pan, Silenus, and the innumerable herd of those imaginary beings, fauns, satyrs, dryads, etc., all woodland gods, and held in veneration by the Greeks and Romans.

gone a whoring.Though this phrase is equivalent, in Scripture, to that of committing idolatry, yet it is to be taken sometimes in a literal sense. Baalpeor and Ashtaroth were worshipped with obscene rite; and public prostitution formed a great part of the worship among the Egyptians, Moabites, Canaanites, Greeks, and Romans.

20:5; Ex 34:15; De 31:16; Jer 3:1; Eze 23:8; Re 17:1-5

Deuteronomy 29:16

through the nations.

2:4,9,19,24; 3:1,2

Joshua 24:14

fear.

De 10:12; 1Sa 12:24; Job 1:1; 28:28; Ps 111:10; 130:4; Ho 3:5

Ac 9:31

serve.

23; Ge 17:1; 20:5,6; De 18:13; 2Ki 20:3; Ps 119:1,80; Lu 8:15

Joh 4:23,24; 2Co 1:12; Eph 6:24; Php 1:10

put.From this exhortation of Joshua, we not only learn that the Israelites still retained some relics of idolatry, but to what gods they were attached. 1. Those whom their fathers worshipped on the other side of the food, or the river Euphrates, i.e., the gods of the Chaldeans, fire, light, the sun, etc. 2. Those of the Egyptians, Apis, Anubis, serpents, vegetables, etc. 3. Those of the Amorites, Moabites, Canaanites, etc., Baal-peor, Astarte, etc. How astonishing is it, that after all that God had done for them, and all the miracles they had seen, there should still be found among them both idols and idolaters!

2,23; Ge 35:2; Ex 20:3,4; Le 17:7; Ezr 9:11; Eze 20:18; Am 5:25,26

in Egypt.

Eze 20:7,8; 23:3

Ezekiel 20:8

they rebelled.

De 9:7; Ne 9:26; Isa 63:10

they did.

7; Ex 32:4-6

then I.

13,21; 5:13; 7:8