* unto devils.
De 32:17 2Ch 11:15 Ps 106:37 Joh 12:31 14:30 1Co 10:20
2Co 4:4 Eph 2:2 Re 9:20
* 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
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