For the priest's lips should keep knowledge
Or "shall keep knowledge", as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin
versions; or "do keep knowledge", as the Arabic version; and so
the Syriac version, "for the lips of the priest drop knowledge";
all this is true of Christ our great High Priest; for as it was
predicted of him, that his lips should keep knowledge, so they
have kept it, and do keep it; not concealing it, but preserving
it, and communicating it freely and openly; as he did to his
disciples and followers when here on earth, and by them to
others; and still does by his Spirit, giving to men the knowledge
of themselves and state; the knowledge of himself, and the way of
salvation by him, and of the truths of the Gospel: and they
should seek the law at his mouth;
not the law of Moses, but the doctrine of grace, and any
wholesome instruction and advice; which he is greatly qualified
to give, being the wonderful Counsellor: it may be rendered,
"they shall seek", or "do seek"; and which has been fulfilled,
especially in the Gentiles, and in the isles that waited for his
law or doctrine, ( Isaiah 11:10
) ( 42:4 )
: for he [is] the messenger of the Lord of
hosts;
or "angel" F23; he is the Angel of God's presence,
and of the covenant, ( Isaiah 63:9 ) (
Malachi 3:1 )
which name he has from being sent, for he came not of himself,
but his Father sent him; he was sent as a priest to atone for the
sins of his people, and to be their Saviour; and as a prophet, to
instruct and teach them; and therefore they should seek to him
for knowledge, and attend his word and ordinances, and implore
his spirit and grace.