Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 23:9
Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
9. came not up to the altar of the Lord ] They had been ministers of the high places, which even if they were erected in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, were yet forbidden, and so these priests henceforth executed no sacrificial office at the temple. They had their support from the offerings made there, but were a class apart and would continue so till they were all passed away. The defect in their practice was held to disqualify them, as physical defects disqualified men from becoming priests.
the unleavened bread ] Mentioned as representing those gifts which, after being offered, were devoted to the maintenance of the priests.
among their brethren ] i.e. This whole class lived a life distinct from the other priests, being deposed and as it were degraded from their higher office.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 9. The priests of the high places came not up] As these priests had offered sacrifices on the high places, though it was to the true God, yet they were not thought proper to be employed immediately about the temple; but as they were acknowledged to belong to the priesthood, they had a right to their support; therefore a portion of the tithes, offerings, and unleavened bread, shew-bread, c., was appointed to them for their support. Thus they were treated as priests who had some infirmity which rendered it improper for them to minister at the altar. See Le 21:17, &c., and particularly Le 21:22-23.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The priests of the high places, which worshipped the true God there.
Came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, i.e. were not suffered to come thither to the exercise of their priestly function; as a just punishment for the corruption of Gods worship, and the transgression of so plain and positive a law of God, Deu 12:11, which was much worse in them, who had more knowledge to discern Gods mind therein, and more obligations to observe it, and to engage others to the observation of it. Compare Eze 44:10.
Of the unleavened bread, i.e. of the meat-offerings allotted to the priests, wherein there was to be no leaven, Lev 2:4,5,10,11; and consequently of other provisions belonging to the priests, which by a synecdoche are contained under this one kind. Thus their spiritual blemish puts them into the very same state which corporal blemishes brought them, Lev 21:17, &c. And thus he mitigates their punishment; he shuts them out from spiritual services, but allows them natural and necessary provisions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Nevertheless, the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord at Jerusalem,…. To sacrifice there, as the Targum; though they were removed from the high places, they were not admitted to officiate at the altar of the Lord, having offered in forbidden places:
but they did eat of the unleavened bread with their brethren; the priests that were pure, as the sons of Zadok; though they might not offer sacrifices, they were allowed to partake of the holy things with the priests, as the meat offerings made of flour unleavened, Le 2:4 which are here meant, and put for all the rest on which the priests lived, see Eze 44:10.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(9) Nevertheless . . . came not up to the altar.Only the, priests of the high places used not to offer at the altar. They were not permitted to do so, being considered to be incapacitated for that office by their former illegal ministrations.
But they did eat.They might not even eat their share of the meat offerings in company with the legitimate priests; but had to take their meals apart, among their brethren, i.e., in their own company. (Comp. Eze. 44:10-14; Lev. 21:21-22.)
Eat of the unleavened bread.Omit of the. The phrase is a technical one, meaning to live upon offerings. (See Lev. 2:1-11; Lev. 6:16-18; Lev. 10:12.) These irregular priests were probably employed in the inferior duties of the Temple.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Came not up to the altar That is, to minister thereat by burning incense or offering sacrifice.
But they did eat of the bread So these priests were treated as the law prescribed for such as had some blemish or bodily defect. See Lev 21:17-24.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 23:9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
Ver. 9. But they did eat of the unleavened bread. ] Care was taken for their maintenance: (1.) As Levites; (2.) As penitents; though, for service at the altar, they were laid aside. Penitency and punishment are words of one derivation, and are near of kin.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
priests of the high places. Not idolatrous priests. See note on 2Ki 23:8.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the priests: Eze 44:10-14, Mal 2:8, Mal 2:9
but they did: 1Sa 2:36, Eze 44:29-31
Reciprocal: Eze 44:13 – they shall not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 23:9. Nevertheless, the priests of the high places Who had worshipped the true God there. Came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem Were not suffered to come thither to exercise their priestly office, as a just punishment for their joining in and contributing to the corruption of Gods worship, and the transgression of so plain and positive a law of God as that in Deu 12:11; which conduct was much worse in them than in the people, as they had more knowledge to discern the will of God, and were under greater obligations to observe it. But they did eat of the unleavened bread Of the meat-offerings allotted to the priests, wherein there was to be no leaven, (Lev 2:4-11,) and consequently of other provisions belonging to the priests, which are comprehended under this one kind. Thus the king mixed mercy with severity, and they were put into the condition of those priests who had corporal blemishes, (Lev 21:17-22,) who might not offer the bread of their God, but might eat the bread of their God, both of the most holy and the holy: they were shut out from spiritual services, but allowed necessary provisions.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23:9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places {i} came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
(i) Because they who had forsaken the Lord to serve idols, were not fit to minister in the service of the Lord for the instruction of others.