Bible Commentaries

Genesis 4:20 — Verse Genesis 4:20. Jabal - was the father — The inventor or teacher, for so the word is understood, 1 Samuel 10:12. He was the first who invented tent-making, and the breeding and managing of cattle; or he was, in these respects, the most eminent in that time. Though Abel was a shepherd, it is not likely he was such on an extensive scale.

Leviticus 23:2 — Verse Leviticus 23:2. These are my feasts. — The original word מועד moad is properly applied to any solemn anniversary, by which great and important ecclesiastical, political, or providential facts were recorded; Genesis 1:14. Anniversaries of this kind were observed in all nations; and some of them, in consequence of scrupulously regular observation, became chronological epochs of the greatest importance in history: the Olympiads, for example.

Deuteronomy 19:9 — Verse Deuteronomy 19:9. Shalt thou add three cities more — This was afterwards found necessary, and accordingly six cities were appointed, three on either side Jordan. See Joshua 21:1-3, c. In imitation of these cities of refuge the heathens had their asyla, and the Catholics their privileged altars. Exodus 21:13; Exodus 21:13 "Exodus 21:14"; and "Numbers 35:11", &c.

Mark 15:8 — Verse Mark 15:8. The multitude crying aloud — αναβοησας. The word itself strongly marks the vociferations, or, to come nearer the original word, the bellowing of the multitude. It signifies, properly, a loud and long cry, such as Christ emitted on the cross. See the whole history of these proceedings against our Lord treated at large, on Matthew 27:0. Matthew 27:1-26, &c.

Luke 1:18 — Verse Luke 1:18. Whereby shall I know this? — All things are possible to God: no natural impediment can have any power when God has declared he will accomplish his purpose. He has a right to be believed on his own word alone; and it is impious, when we are convinced that it is his word, to demand a sign or pledge for its fulfilment.

Luke 1:22 — Verse Luke 1:22. They perceived that he had seen a vision — As the sanctuary was separated from the court by a great veil, the people could not see what passed, but they understood this from Zacharias himself, who, ην διανευων, made signs, or nodded unto them to that purpose. Signs are the only means by which a dumb man can convey his ideas to others.

Luke 2:21 — Verse Luke 2:21. When eight days were accomplished — The law had appointed that every male should be circumcised at eight days old, or on the eighth day after its birth, Genesis 17:12; and our blessed Lord received circumcision in token of his subjection to the law, Galatians 4:4; Galatians 5:3.His name was called JESUS — Galatians 5:3- : and John 1:29.

Luke 4:7 — Verse Luke 4:7. If thou - wilt worship me — This temptation is the last in order, as related by Matthew; and it is not reasonable to suppose that any other succeeded to it. Luke has here told the particulars, but not in the order in which they took place. See every circumstance of this temptation considered and explained in the notes on Matthew 4:1-11.

John 1:50 — Verse John 1:50. Because I said - I saw thee, &c.] As thou hast credited my Divine mission on this simple proof, that I saw thee when and where no human eye, placed where mine was, could see thee, thy faith shall not rest merely upon this, for thou shalt see greater things than these - more numerous and express proofs of my eternal power and Godhead.

Acts 15:32 — Verse 32. Judas and Silas, being prophets — That is, being teachers in the Church. This signification of the word prophet we have often already seen. See the notes on Acts 11:27; Acts 13:1.Exhorted the brethren — To abide steadily attached to God, and to each other, in peace, love, and unity.And confirmed them.] In the blessed truths they had already received.

Joshua 17:11 — Verse Joshua 17:11. Beth-shean — Called afterwards Scythopolis; the city of the Scythians or Cuthites, those who were sent into the different Samaritan cities by the kings of Assyria.Dor — On the Mediterranean Sea, about eight miles from Caesarea, on the road to Tyre.En-dor — The well or fountain of Dor, the place where Saul went to consult the witch; 1 Samuel 28:7, &c.

Joshua 18:25 — Verse Joshua 18:25. Gibeon — See before, Joshua 10:1-14. This place is famous for the confederacy of the five kings against Israel, and their miraculous defeat. Ramah, a place about six or eight miles north of Jerusalem. Beeroth, i.e., wells; one of the four cities which belonged to the Gibeonites, who made peace with the Israelites by stratagem. See Joshua 9:3-15.

Joshua 3:4 — Verse Joshua 3:4. About two thousand cubits — This distance they were to keep,1. For the greater respect, because the presence of the ark was the symbol and pledge of the Divine presence.2. That the ark, which was to be their pilot over these waters, might be the more conspicuous which it could not have been had the people crowded upon it.

1 Samuel 10:7 — Verse 1 Samuel 10:7. Thou do as occasion serve thee — After God has shown thee all these signs that thou art under his especial guidance, fear not to undertake any thing that belongs to thy office, for God is with thee.What a number of circumstances thus precisely foretold! Does not this prove that Samuel was under the continual inspiration of the Almighty?

1 Samuel 12:22 — Verse 1 Samuel 12:22. The Lord will not forsake his people — He will not as yet cast you off, though you have deserved it. His purpose in preserving them in their land and religion was not yet accomplished. It was not however for their sake that he would not cast them off, but for his own great name's sake. He drew his reasons from himself.

1 Samuel 14:47 — Verse 1 Samuel 14:47. So Saul took the kingdom — The Targum appears to give the meaning of this expression: "Saul prospered in his government over Israel." And the proofs of his prosperity are immediately subjoined.Fought against all his enemies — Of the wars which are mentioned here we have no particulars; they must have endured a long time, and have been, at least in general, successful.

1 Samuel 18:21 — Verse 1 Samuel 18:21. That she may be a snare to him — Saul had already determined the condition on which he would give his daughter to David; viz., that he should slay one hundred Philistines: this he supposed he would undertake for the love of Michal, and that he must necessarily perish in the attempt; and thus Michal would become a snare to him.

1 Samuel 2:19 — Verse 1 Samuel 2:19. Made him a little coat — מעיל קטן meil katon, a little cloak, or surtout, an upper garment: probably intended to keep him from the cold, and to save his other clothes from being abused in his meaner services. It is probable that she furnished him with a new one each year, when she came up to one of the annual sacrifices.

1 Samuel 21:10 — Verse 1 Samuel 21:10. Went to Achish the king of Gath. — This was the worst place to which he could have gone: it was the very city of Goliath, whom he had slain, and whose sword he now wore; and he soon found, from the conversation of the servants of Achish, that his life was in the most imminent danger in this place.

1 Samuel 4:9 — Verse 1 Samuel 4:9. Be strong, c. — This was the address to the whole army, and very forcible it was. "If ye do not fight, and acquit yourselves like men, ye will be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you and you may expect that they will avenge themselves of you for all the cruelty you have exercised towards them."