Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 21:5

5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near (for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the Name of the LORD) and by their word shall every controversie , and every stroke be tried.

Both to direct them in all the circumstances of action and to see that the law was observed, and to bless them in Gods name, by praying for them, and absolving or pronouncing them guiltless in this matter.

Not absolutely all manner of controversies that could possibly arise, as if their word were to determine whether there were a God or providence or no, whether God should be worshipped, and his commands observed or no, whether Moses was a true Prophet or an impostour, whether Apostate and Idolatrous Israelites should be punished or no; which is apparently absurd and ridiculous; but every such controversie as might arise about the matter here spoken of, nothing being more usual than to understand universal expressions in a limited sence, and indeed this is limited and explained by the following words, and every stroke, the particle and being put expositively, of which instances have been formerly given, i. e. every controversie which shall arise about any stroke, whether such a mortal stroke as is here spoken of, a murder, which may well be called a stroke, as to smite is oft used for to kill, as Gen. 4. 15. Levit. 24. 17. &c. or any other stroke or wound given by one man to another.

Marginal references: chap. 10. [illegible: 1+ letters].; chap. 17. 8. 9.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1+ letters].