Bible Commentaries

Daniel 10:1 — account of Daniel's last vision, wherein the succession of the Persian and Grecian monarchies is described, together with the wars that should take place between Syria and Egypt under the latter monarchy. The last part of the vision (from Daniel 11:36) seems to relate chiefly to the persecutions of the Church in the times of Antichrist, till it be purified from all its pollutions; after which will follow that glorious kingdom of the saints spoken of in the seventh and eighth chapters. This chapter

Hosea 1:9 — two of the oldest of mine there is a blank of half a line left after the last word; and so it is in the Masoretic Bibles, though the sense is not complete; for it is evidently continued in the following verse. Probably God refers to the words, Exodus 3:14: אהיה אשר אהיה I am that I am. I am, אהיה eheyeh, - I shall be, hath sent me unto you. I will not be your eheyeh, i.e., I will not be your God.

Hosea 6:3 — Verse Hosea 6:3. Then shall we know — We shall have the fullest evidence that we have not believed in vain.If we follow on to know the Lord — If we continue to be as much in earnest as we now are.His going forth — The manifestation of his mercy to

Amos 5:1 — CHAPTER V This chapter opens with a tender and pathetic lamentation, in the style of a funeral song, over the house of Israel, 1, 2. The prophet then glances at the awful threatening denounced against them, 3; earnestly exhorting them to renounce their idols, and seek Jehovah, of whom he gives a very magnificent description, 4-9. He then reproves their injustice and oppression with great warmth and indignation; exhorts them again to repentance; and enforces

Amos 8:1 — CHAPTER VIII This chapter begins with a fourth vision denoting the certainty and nearness of the destruction of Israel, 1-3. The prophet then proceeds to reprove their oppression and injustice, 4-7. Strong and beautiful figures, by which is represented the complete dissolution of the Israelitish polity, 8-10. The people threatened with a most awful judgment; a FAMINE of

Jonah 3:8 — Verse Jonah 3:8. Let man and beast be covered — This was done that every object which they beheld might deepen the impression already made, and cause them to mourn after a godly sort. Virgil tells us that the mourning for the death of Julius Caesar was so general,

Micah 6:7 — for my transgression — This was sinful and wicked; but such offerings had been made by the Phoenicians, and their successors the Carthaginians; and this very custom was copied by the corrupt Israelites. See some cases of such offerings, 2 Kings 3:27; Leviticus 20:27.The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? — This clause is an explanation of the former. Shall I make the first-born, the best and goodliest of my children, חטאת chattath, a SIN-OFFERING for my soul? And thus the original

Micah 7:3 — Verse Micah 7:3. That they may do evil with both hands — That is, earnestly, greedily, to the uttermost of their power. The Vulgate translates: Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum; "The evil of their hands they call good."The prince asketh — A bribe, to forward

Zechariah 14:4 — through dry-shod. Some refer this to the destruction of the city by the Romans. It was on the mount of Olives that Titus posted his army to batter Jerusalem. Here the tenth legion that came to him from Jericho was placed. JOSEPH. De Bello, lib. vi. c. 3. It was from this mountain that our Lord beheld Jerusalem, and predicted its future destruction, Luke 19:41, with Matthew 24:23; and it was from this mountain that he ascended to heaven, (Acts 1:12,) utterly leaving an ungrateful and condemned city.And

Matthew 1:12 — prince, and the accession of Evilmerodach, who brought him out of prison, in which he had been detained thirty-seven years, and restored him to such favour that his throne (seat) was exalted above all the kings which were with him in Babylon: Jeremiah 52:31-32. But though he thus became a royal favourite, he was never restored to his kingdom. And, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 22:30, no man of his seed sat upon the throne of David; yet the regal line was continued through his son Salathiel,

Matthew 11:14 — who predicted the coming of the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah, gave the three following distinct characteristics of him. First, That he should be the forerunner and messenger of the Messiah: Behold I send my messenger before me, Malachi 3:1. Secondly, That he should appear before the destruction of the second temple: Even the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, ibid. Thirdly, That he should preach repentance to the Jews; and that, some time after, the great and terrible

Matthew 12:41 — the Jews that all is ineffectual.1. Christ, who preached to the Jews, was infinitely greater than Jonah, in his nature, person, and mission.2. Jonah preached repentance in Nineveh only forty days, and Christ preached among the Jews for several years.3. Jonah wrought no miracles to authorize his preaching; but Christ wrought miracles every day, in every place where he went, and of every kind. And4. Notwithstanding all this, the people of Judea did not repent, though the people of Nineveh did.

Matthew 15:22 — Verse Matthew 15:22. A woman of Canaan — Matthew gives her this name because of the people from whom she sprung-the descendants of Canaan, Judges 1:31-32; but Mark calls her a Syrophenician, because of the country where she dwelt. The Canaanites and Phoenicians have been often confounded. This is frequently the case in the Septuagint. Compare Genesis 46:10, with Exodus 6:15, where the same person

Matthew 22:38 — Verse 38. This is the first and great commandment. — It is so,1. In its antiquity, being as old as the world, and engraven originally on our very nature.2. In dignity; as directly and immediately proceeding front and referring to God.3. In excellence;

Matthew 24:45 — account on his master's return.Here is an abstract of the duties of a minister of Christ.1. He is appointed, not by himself, but by the vocation and mission of his Master.2. He must look on himself, not as the master of the family, but as the servant.3. He must be scrupulously faithful and exact in fulfilling the commands of his Master.4. His fidelity must be ever accompanied by wisdom and prudence.5. He must give the domestics - the sacred family, their food; and this food must be such as to afford

Matthew 25:34 — Verse 34. Ye blessed of my Father — This is the king's address to his followers; and contains the reason why they were found in the practice of all righteousness, and were now brought to this state of glory - they were blessed - came as children, and

Matthew 4:1 — CHAPTER IV. Jesus, in the wilderness, is tempted by Satan, 1-11. He goes into Galilee, 12; and Capernaum, 13. The prophecy which was thus fulfilled, 14-16. He begins to preach publicly, 17. Calls Simon Peter, and his brother Andrew, 18-20. Calls also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, 21, 22. Preaches and works miracles throughout Galilee, 23. Becomes famous

Matthew 6:6 — it: endeavour to forget it, with all the affairs which busy and amuse it. Prayer requires retirement, at least of the heart; for this may be fitly termed the closet in the house of God, which house the body of every real Christian is, 1 Corinthians 3:16. To this closet we ought to retire even in public prayer, and in the midst of company.Reward thee openly. — What goodness is there equal to this of God to give, not only what we ask, and more than we ask, but to reward even prayer itself! How

Mark 14:1 — CHAPTER XIV. The Jews conspire against Christ, 1, 2. He is anointed in the house of Simon the Leper, 3-9. Judas Iscariot sells him to the chief priests for thirty pieces of money, 10, 11. He orders his disciples to prepare the passover, 12-16. Predicts his approaching death, 17-21. Institutes the holy eucharist, 22-26. Foretells the unfaithfulness of

Mark 7:3 — Verse Mark 7:3. Except they wash their hands — πυγμη, the hand to the wrist-Unless they wash the hand up to the wrist, eat not. Several translations are given of this word; that above is from Dr. Lightfoot, who quotes a tradition from the rabbins, stating that