John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. He that is wounded in the stones , etc.] In any of them, not accidentally, but purposely; which are crushed and bruised by the hands of men, with a design to make him unfit for generation, or to make an eunuch of him: or that hath his privy member cut by himself or another , and is a thorough eunuch by the hands of men; for of such eunuchs that are made by men, and not born so, the law speaks; so Maimonides interprets it f381 ; (see Gill on “ Matthew 19:12”) shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord ; which is to be understood not of the sanctuary of the Lord, or of being refused admittance into the church of God, and to join in religious rites, and partake of sacred ordinances, which all Israelites, and strangers that were proselytes, had a right unto; such might bring their offerings, keep the passover, etc. ( Exodus 12:48,49 Leviticus 22:18 Numbers 9:14 15:14,15) nor of the commonwealth of Israel, as if unfit to be members of civil society; it cannot be thought that such defects should abridge them of their civil rights and privileges: but by the congregation is to be understood the elders, judges, and representatives of the people, that met together in some one place to execute judgment; (see Numbers 35:12,24,25 Psalm 82:1), into which such persons were not to be admitted; either because disgraceful and dishonourable, or because of the influence such defects have on their minds, they thereby becoming effeminate, irresolute, and wanting courage, as well as in opposition to the customs and usages of the Heathens, with whom it was common to admit such persons to civil offices; hence the word eunuch is sometimes used for an officer, ( Genesis 37:36) and elsewhere; the Jews restrain this law to marriage, but unnecessarily.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - We ought to value the privileges of God's people, both for ourselve and for our children, above all other advantages. No persona blemishes, no crimes of our forefathers, no difference of nation, shut us out under the Christian dispensation. But an unsound heart wil deprive us of blessings; and a bad example, or an unsuitable marriage may shut our children from them.
Original Hebrew לא3808 יבא935 פצוע6481 דכה1795 וכרות3772 שׁפכה8212 בקהל6951 יהוה׃3068
