Numbers 16 (WK) - Bible Truth Library

I have not.Though Moses was their ruler, under God, yet, so far from oppressing them, he had not imposed the smallest tax, nor taken, as a present, so much as an ass from one of them.

The common present that is now made to the great, in these countries, is a horse; but there is reason to believe, that an ass might formerly have answered the same purpose.

"If it is a visit of ceremony from a {bashaw,}" says Dr. Russell, "or other person in power, a fine horse, sometimes with furniture, or some such valuable present, is made to him at his departure."

As asses were esteemed no dishonourable beasts for the saddle, Sir. J. Chardin, in his MS., supposes, that when Samuel disclaimed having taken the ass of any one, (1 Sa 12:3,) he is to be understood of not having taken any ass for his riding.

In the same light, he considers this similar declaration of Moses.

His reason is "asses being then esteemed very honourable creatures for riding on, (ch.

22:21, 30.

Jdg 5:10.

2 Sa 16:2,) as they are at this very time in Persia, being rode with saddles."

1 Sam. 12:3‑4• ³{i}Here I am: testify against me before Jehovah, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I injured? or of whose hand have I received any ransom and blinded mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it to you.{/i}
⁴{i}And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, and thou hast not injured us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand{/i}. (1 Sam. 12:3‑4)

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Acts 20:33‑34• ³³I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel;
³⁴yea, yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those that were with me. (Acts 20:33‑34)

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1 Cor. 9:15• ¹⁵But I have used none of these things. And I have not written these things that it should be thus in my case, for [it were] good for me to die rather than that anyone should make empty my boast. (1 Cor. 9:15)

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2 Cor. 1:12• ¹²For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience that in holiness f and sincerity before God, not in carnal wisdom but in God's grace, we conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly towards you. (2 Cor. 1:12)

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2 Cor. 7:2• ²Receive us; we wronged none, we corrupted none, we overreached none. (2 Cor. 7:2)

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2 Cor. 12:14‑17• ¹⁴Behold, this third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not press heavily, for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
¹⁵And I most gladly will spend and be spent for your souls, if even more abundantly loving you I am less loved.
¹⁶But be it so: I did not myself burden you, but crafty as I am, I caught you with guile.
¹⁷Did I make a gain of any of them whom I sent unto you? (2 Cor. 12:14‑17)

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1 Thess. 2:10• ¹⁰Ye [are] witnesses, and God, how holily and righteously and blamelessly we behaved ourselves to you that believe; (1 Thess. 2:10)

J. N. Darby Translation

Then Moses was very wroth, and said to Jehovah, Have no regard to their oblation: not one ass have I taken from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

W. Kelly Translation

Then Moses was very wroth, and said to Jehovah, Have no regard to their oblation: not one ass have I taken from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

WK Verse Note

(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)