Lev 17:7, Deu 32:16-17, 2Ch 11:15, Psa 106:37-39, 2Cor 4:4, Rev 9:20 | 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 32:16-17

provoked.

5:9; 1Ki 14:22; Na 1:1,2; 1Co 10:22

abominations.

7:25; Le 18:27; 2Ki 23:13

sacrificed.

Le 17:7; Ps 106:37,38; 1Co 10:20; 1Ti 4:1; Re 9:20

not to God. or, which were not God.

21; Jer 10:15; 1Co 8:4; 10:19

to gods.

28:64; Isa 44:8

to new gods.

Jud 5:8

2 Chronicles 11:15

for the devils.The word, {seïrim} literally signifies hairy ones, or goats: see Note on Le 17:7.

De 32:17; 1Co 10:20,21; 1Ti 4:1; Re 16:14

for the calves.

Ex 32:4-8,31; 1Ki 12:28; 14:9; Ps 106:19,20; Ho 8:5,6; 13:2

Psalms 106:37-39

they sacrificed.However unnatural and horrid human sacrifices may appear, it is certain, that they did not only exist, but almost universally prevailed in the heathen world, especially among the Canaanites and Phoenicians.

De 12:30,31; 18:10; 2Ki 16:3; 17:17; 21:6; Isa 57:5; Jer 7:31; 32:35

Eze 16:20,21; 20:26; 23:37,47

devils.

Le 17:7; De 32:17; 2Ch 11:15; 1Co 10:20; Ro 9:20

shed.

De 21:9; 2Ki 21:16; 24:4; Jer 2:34

the land.

Nu 35:33; Isa 1:15; 26:21; Eze 7:23; 22:3

defiled.

Isa 24:5,6; 59:3; Eze 20:18,30,31,43

went.

Ex 34:16; Le 17:7; 20:5,6; Nu 15:39; Jer 3:1,2,6-9; Eze 16:15-63