act, that not a
few of even non-Messianic interpreters have been thereby compelled to
make some single individual the subject of this prophecy. But we must
hesitate the more to adopt the opinion that [Hebrew: nbia] stands here
simply in the singular instead of the plural, because neither does this
word anywhere else occur as a collective noun, nor is the prophetic
order ever [Pg 110] spoken of in the manner alleged. The expectation of
a Messiah was already at that time current among the people. In what
way, then, could they understand a promise, in which one individual
only was spoken of, except by referring it, at least chiefly, to the
one whom they expected?--_Hofmann_ (_Weissagung und Erfuellung_ i. S.
253) objects that the prophet here spoken of was, in no respect,
different from the _king_ in Deut. xvii. 14-20. But the king mentioned
there is no collective noun. An individual who, in future times, should
first attain to royal dignity, forms there the subject throughout. This
appears especially from ver. 20, where he and his _sons_ are spoken of.
The first king is held up as an example, to show in him what was
applicable to the royal dignity in general. On the other hand, it is in
favour of our view, that, in the verses immediately preceding (vers.
8-13), the priests are, at first, spoken of only in the plural,
although the priestly order had much more of the character of a
collective body than the prophetic order.

A comparison between this prophecy and that of the Shiloh in Gen. xlix.
10 is likewise in favour of the Messianic interpretation. Even there.
His prophetic office is alluded to in the kingly office. The ruler out
of Judah is the Peaceful One, to whom the nations yield a spontaneous
obedience, an obedience flowing from a pious source,--and He rules not
by compulsion, but by the word.

The prophet is moreover contrasted with a single individual--with
Moses; and this compels us to refer the prophecy to some distinguished
individual. In ver. 15, Moses promises to the people a prophet _like
unto himself_; and thus also does the Lord say, in ver. 18: "A prophet
_like unto thee_ I will raise up." We cannot for a moment suppose that
this likeness should refer to the prophetic calling only,--to the
words: "I will put My words into his mouth, and he shall speak unto
them all that I shall command him." It must at the same time be implied
in it, that the future prophet shall be as thoroughly competent for his
work