Bible Commentaries

Isaiah 28:27 — Niebuhr's Voyage en Arabie, Tab. xvii. p. 123; it moves upon three rollers armed with iron teeth or wheels to cut the straw. In Syria they make use of the drag, constructed in the very same manner as above described; Niebuhr, Description de l'Arabie, p. 140. This not only forced out the grain, but cut the straw in pieces for fodder for the cattle; for in the eastern countries they have no hay. See Harmer's Observ. I. p. 425. The last method is well known from the law of Moses, which "forbids the ox to

Isaiah 44:5 — Verse Isaiah 44:5. Shall call himself - "Shall be called"] Passive, יקרא yikkare; κληθησεται, Symmachus.Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord - "This shall inscribe his hand to JEHOVAH"] Και ἑτερος επιγραψει χειρι (χειρα, Aq., Sym.) αυτου, Του Θεου

Isaiah 51:1 — prophet exhorts the children of Abraham to trust in the Lord; and briefly, but beautifully, describes the great blessedness which should be the consequence, 1-3. Then, turning to the Gentiles, encourages them to look for a portion in the same salvation, 4, 5; the everlasting duration of which is majestically described, 6. And as it is everlasting, so is it sure to the righteous, notwithstanding all the machinations of their enemies, 7, 8. The faithful, then, with exultation and joy, lift their voices,

Ezekiel 33:1 — 1-9. The prophet is then directed what answer to make to the cavils of infidelity and impiety; and to vindicate the equity of the Divine government by declaring the general terms of acceptance with God to be (as told before, Ezekiel 18:3; Ezekiel 18:4 c.,) without respect of persons so that the ruin of the finally impenitent must be entirely owing to themselves, 10-20. The prophet receives the news of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, about a year and four months after it happened, according

Hosea 11:4 — Verse Hosea 11:4. I drew them with cords of a man — This is a reference to leading strings, one end of which is held by the child, the other by the nurse, by which the little one, feeling some support, and gaining confidence, endeavours to walk. God, their heavenly

Hosea 13:1 — XIII Thus chapter begins with observing that the fear of God leads to prosperity, but sin to ruin; a truth most visibly exemplified in the sin and punishment of Ephraim, 1-3. As an aggravation of their guilt, God reminds them of his former favours, 4, 5; which they had shamefully abused, 6; and which now expose them to dreadful punishments, 7, 8. He, however, tempers these awful threatenings with gracious promises; and, on their repentance, engages to save them, when no other could protect them,

Jonah 4:6 — Verse Jonah 4:6. And the Lord God prepared a gourd — I believe this should be rendered in the preterpluperfect tense. The Lord HAD prepared - this plant, קיקיון kikayon. It had in the course of God's providence been planted and grown up in that place, though

Zechariah 3:9 — completed.There may be an allusion to the seven counsellors, which stood always about the persons of the Asiatics sovereigns; and those who were the governors of provinces were termed the eyes of the king. To this there is an allusion in Revelation 1:4. In Christ there is a plentitude of wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, truth, love, and compassion, to direct, protect, save, uphold, purify, govern, and preserve all the souls that trust in him.I will engrave the graving thereof — This is an allusion

Malachi 4:2 — Verse Malachi 4:2. You that fear my name — The persons mentioned in the sixteenth verse of the preceding chapter, ye that look for redemption through the Messiah. Malachi 3:16The Sun of righteousness — The Lord Jesus, the promised Messiah; the Hope of Israel.With

Matthew 11:28 — distress, offers to ease him of his load, that he may enjoy rest.The Jews, heavily laden with the burdensome rites of the Mosaic institution, rendered still more oppressive by the additions made by the scribes and Pharisees, who, our Lord says, (Matthew 23:4,) bound on heavy burdens; and labouring, by their observance of the law, to make themselves pleasing to God, are here invited to lay down their load, and receive the salvation procured for them by Christ.Sinners, wearied in the ways of iniquity, are

Matthew 21:9 — of the people prove that they acknowledged Christ as their king, and looked to him for deliverance. How easily might he have assumed the sovereignty at this time, had he been so disposed! For instances of the use of this form of speech, see 2 Samuel 14:4; 2 Kings 6:26; Psalms 118:25.Son of David — A well-known epithet of the Messiah. He who cometh in the name, c. He who comes in the name and authority of the Most High.Hosanna in the highest — Either meaning, Let the heavenly hosts join

Matthew 4:16 — Verse Matthew 4:16. The people which sat in darkness — This is quoted from Isaiah 9:2, where, instead of sitting, the prophet used the word walked. The evangelist might on purpose change the term, to point out the increased misery of the state of these persons.

Matthew 4:19 — Verse Matthew 4:19. Follow me — Come after me, δευτε οπισω μου. Receive my doctrines, imitate me in my conduct - in every respect be my disciples. We may observe that most of the calls of God to man are expressed in a few solemn words, which alarm, the conscience,

Matthew 8:26 — the planets. When the solar influence was by the miraculous power of God suspended, the standing still of the earth was a necessary consequence. Both Christ and Joshua spoke with the strictest philosophical precision. See the notes on Joshua 10:12-14.There was a great calm. — One word of Christ can change the face of nature one word of his can restore calm and peace to the most troubled and disconsolate soul. Prayer and faith, if sincere, shall be heard, though they may be weak.1. That our

Luke 11:1 — CHAPTER XI. Christ teaches his disciples to pray, 1-4. Shows the necessity of importunity in prayer, 5-13. Casts out a dumb demon, 14. The Jews ascribe this to the power of Beelzebub; our Lord vindicates his conduct, 15-23. Miserable state of the Jews, 24-26. Who they are that are truly blessed, 27, 28.

Luke 15:4 — Verse Luke 15:4. What man of you — Our Lord spoke this and the following parable to justify his conduct in receiving and conversing with sinners or heathens.A hundred sheep — Parables similar to this are frequent among the Jewish writers. The whole flock

Luke 4:16 — Verse Luke 4:16. To Nazareth, where he had been brought up — It is likely that our Lord lived principally in this city till the 30th year of his age; but, after he entered on his public ministry, his usual place of residence was at the house of Peter, in Capernaum.As

Luke 5:1 — CHAPTER V. The miraculous draught of fishes at the lake of Gennesaret, 1-11. Christ heals a leper, 12-14. His fame being published abroad, he withdraws to the desert, 15, 16. He heals a paralytic person, at which the scribes and Pharisees murmur, but the people glorify God, 17-26. He calls the publican Levi, who makes a feast for Christ, to which he invites

John 12:28 — unexampled prodigies, and thy resurrection shall be the completion of thy glory and of thy elevation."Christ was glorified:1st. By the prodigies which happened at his death.2. In his resurrection.3. In his ascension, and sitting at the right hand of God.4. In the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles. and5. In the astonishing success with which the Gospel was accompanied, and by which the kingdom of Christ has been established in the world. 2 Corinthians 2:14.

John 4:5 — Verse John 4:5. A city - called Sychar — This city was anciently called Shechem. It seems to have been situated at the foot of Mount Gerizim, in the province of Samaria, on which the temple of the Samaritans was built. After the ruin of Samaria by Salmanezer,