Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 19:11 — atmosphere becomes greatly disturbed, mighty winds and tempests taking place.2. This is followed by the actual agitation of the earth.3. In this agitation fire frequently escapes, or a burning lava is poured out, often accompanied with thunder and lightning.4. After these the air becomes serene, the thunder ceases to roll, the forked lightnings no longer play, and nothing remains but a gentle breeze.However correct all this may be, it seems most probably evident that what took place at this time was out

2 Kings 21:26 — ancient Druids in Britain.Castel, in Lex. Hept. sub voce אשר, defines אשרה asherah thus, Simulacrum ligneum Astartae dicatum; "A wooden image dedicated to Astrate or Venus."The Septuagint render the words by αλσος; and Flamminius Nobilis, on 2 Kings 23:4, says Rursus notat Theodoretus τοαλσος esse Astartem et Venerem, et ab aliis interpretibus dictum Ashatroth; i.e. "Again Theodoret observes, αλσος is Astarte and Venus; and by other interpreters called Ashtaroth."The Targum of Ben Uzziel, on Deuteronomy

Psalms 106:1 — PSALM CVI God is praised for his manifold mercies, 1-3. The prophet prays for himself, 4, 5. A recapitulation of the history of the Hebrew people: of God's mercies toward them, and their rebellions, 6-39. The judgments and afflictions which their transgressions brought upon them, 40-42. God's mercy to them notwithstanding their transgressions,

Psalms 119:120 — dangerous one too, for it is against the most positive declarations of thy truth, therefore it is falsehood.3. This is most certain, for "thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross;" they are utterly vile, and of no account in thy sight.4. "Therefore I love thy testimonies." And for this, among others reasons, that I may avoid their judgments.5. Foreseeing the judgments to fall on the wicked, it was necessary that he should be filled with a salutary fear. 1. "My flesh trembleth." Happy

Psalms 127:1 — PSALM CXXVII The necessity of God's blessing on every undertaking, without which no prosperity can be expected, 1, 2. Children are a heritage from the Lord, 3, 4. A fruitful wife is a blessing to her husband, 5. NOTES ON PSALM CXXVIIThe Hebrew, Chaldee, and Vulgate attribute this Psalm to Solomon. The Syriac says it is "A Psalm of David concerning Solomon; and that it was spoken also concerning Haggai and Zechariah,

Psalms 15:1 — frequently-removed building, carried about from place to place, and not long in any one place. Concerning this it is said: מי יגור mi yagur, "Who shall lodge, or sojourn," there? It is not a residence, or dwelling-place, but a place to lodge in for a time.4. The TEMPLE was a fixed and permanent building; and here it is inquired, מי ישכן mi yiscon, "Who shall dwell, abide," or have his permanent residence, there?5. The tabernacle being a migratory temple, carried about on the shoulders of the priests and

Psalms 34:1 — PSALM XXXIV David praises God, and exhorts others to do the same, 1-3; shows how he sought the Lord, and how he was found of him, 4-6. All are exhorted to taste and see the goodness of God; with the assurance of support and comfort, 7-10. He shows the way to attain happiness and long life, 11-16; the privileges of the righteous, and of all who sincerely seek God, 17-22. NOTES ON

Psalms 60:4 — Verse Psalms 60:4. Thou hast given a banner — נס nes, a sign, something that was capable of being fixed on a pole.That it may be displayed — להתנוסס lehithnoses, that it may be unfurled.Because of the truth. — מפני קשט mippeney koshet, from the face

Psalms 8:1 — PSALM VIII The glory and excellence of God manifested by his works, 1, 2; particularly in the starry heavens, 3; in man, 4; in his formation, 5; and in the dominion which God has given him over the earth, the air, the sea, and their inhabitants, 6-8: in consequence of which God's name is celebrated over all the earth, 9. NOTES ON PSALM VIIIThe inscription to this Psalm

Micah 1:1 — THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET MICAH Chronological Notes relative to this Book -Year from the Creation, according to Archbishop Usher, 3254. -Year of the Julian Period, 3964. -Year since the Flood, 1598. -Year from the vocation of Abram, 1171. -Year since the first celebration of the Olympic games in Elis by the Idaei Dactyli, 704. -Year from the destruction of Troy, according to the general

Habakkuk 1:1 — Chronological Notes relative to this Book, upon the supposition that it was written a little before the destruction of Jerusalem, about six hundred years before the commencement of the Christian era. -Year from the Creation, according to Archbishop Usher, 3404. -Year of the Julian Period, 4114. -Year since the Flood, 1748. -Year since the vocation of Abram, 1321. -Year from the foundation of Solomon's temple, 412. -Year since the division of Solomon's monarchy into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, 376.

Zephaniah 1:1 — THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ZEPHANIAH Chronological Notes relative to this Book, upon the supposition that it was written in the twelfth year of the reign of Josiah, king of Judah -Year from the Creation, according to Archbishop Usher, 3374. -Year of the Julian Period, 4084. -Year since the Flood, 1718. -Year from the vocation of Abram, 1291. -Year from the foundation of Solomon's temple, 382. -Year since the division of Solomon's monarchy into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, 346. -Year

Matthew 10:23 — τελειωσις or initiation. See Leigh. Crit. sacr. Edit. Amst. p. 326, 328.Dr. Lightfoot supposes the meaning to be: "Ye shall not have travelled over the cities of Israel, preaching the Gospel, before the Son of man is revealed by his resurrection, Romans 1:4 compare Acts 3:19-20; Acts 5:26. To you first, God, raising up his Son, sent him to bless you, c. The epoch of the Messiah is dated from the resurrection of Christ." After all, the place may be understood literally for τελειν τας πολεις, to finish the

Matthew 13:44 — Verse 44. The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field] θησαυρω κεκρυμμενω, to a hidden treasure. We are not to imagine that the treasure here mentioned, and to which the Gospel salvation is likened, means a pot or chest of money hidden in the

Matthew 17:5 — not overshadow, or cast any kind of shade, the word επεσκιασεν should be translated, surrounded them. A cloud was frequently the symbol of the Divine presence; but such a cloud had always something very remarkable in its appearance. Ezekiel, Ezekiel 1:4, represents it as a great cloud, and a fire unfolding itself, and a brightness about it, and out of the midst thereof, as the colour of amber out of the midst of the fire; and in Ezekiel 1:28, he tells us that this was the appearance of the likeness

Matthew 19:6 — a lighted torch, leading them by a chain, of which each has a hold, to show that they are united together, and are bound to each other, and that they are led to this by the pure flame of love, which at the same instant both enlightens and warms them.4. This chain is not iron nor brass, (to intimate that the marriage union is a state of thraldom or slavery,) but it is a chain of pearls, to show that the union is precious, beautiful, and delightful.5. They hold a dove, the emblem of conjugal fidelity,

Mark 5:26 — Because of the nature of her malady; it was such as could not be made public, without exposing her to shame and contempt.2. It was an inveterate disorder; it had lasted twelve years.3. It was continual; she appears to have had no interval of health.4. Her disorder was aggravated by the medicines she used - she suffered much, c.5. Her malady was ruinous both to her health and circumstances - she spent all that she had.6. She was now brought to the last point of wretchedness, want, and despair she

John 10:22 — uttermost. See Prideaux's Connection, vol. iii. p. 236, edit. 1725. After this, the whole of the temple service seems to have been suspended for three years, great dilapidations having taken place also in various parts of the buildings: see 1 Macc. 4:36, c. As Judas Maccabaeus not only restored the temple service, and cleansed it from pollution, c., but also repaired the ruins of it, the feast was called τα εγκαινια, the renovation.It was winter. — χειμων ην, or, it was stormy or rainy weather.

John 17:3 — the grace of Christ do not live, they only exist, no good purpose of life being answered by them. But when they receive this salvation they live - answer all the Divine purposes, are happy in themselves, useful to each other, and bring glory to God.4. It is called eternal life to show that it reaches beyond the limits of time, and that it necessarily implies -1. The immortality of the soul;2. the resurrection of the body; and3. that it is never to end, hence called αιωνιος ζωη, a life ever living;

1 Samuel 17:4 — Verse 1 Samuel 17:4. There went out a champion — Our word champion comes from campus, the field; Campio est enim ille qui pugnat in campo, hoc est, in castris, "Champion is he, properly, who fights in the field; i.e., in camps." A man well skilled in arms, strong,