Bible Commentaries

Genesis 27:30 — blessings. One may have nothing but pity for the weeping Esau and the bitterness that filled his heart. Nothing breaks men's hearts like being compelled, at last, to accept the consequences of their actions. See Revelation 6:15-17. "This verse (Genesis 27:36) skillfully places the words for birthright and blessing side by side,"E. A. Speiser, op. cit., p. 210. showing with what diligence Esau had attempted to contrive a difference in the two in the mind of his father, in which he had apparently succeeded.

Genesis 33:3-7 — immediate succession, but bowing and advancing, until he came near his brother."Thomas Whitelaw, op. cit., p. 399. Willis summarizes the steps that each brother took in the reconciliation: JACOB: (1) he bowed before him seven times (Genesis 33:3); (2) he called himself Esau's servant twice (Genesis 33:5; Genesis 33:14); (3) referred to Esau as his "lord" four times (Genesis 33:8; Genesis 33:13-14); (4) dispatched ahead of time a most impressive present; (5) insisted that Esau keep it (Genesis 33:8-11);

Genesis 46:1-4 — and sacrifices before doing so. At any rate, God appeared to him in a vision, thus removing all doubt. "And God spake unto him" As far as the record goes, this was the last appearance of God to Jacob, there being eight appearances in all: (1) Genesis 28:13; (2) Genesis 31:3; (3) Genesis 31:11; (4) Genesis 32:1; (5) Genesis 32:30; (6) Genesis 35:1; (7) Genesis 35:9; (8) Genesis 46:2. It is of interest that the appearance of God to Jacob came not for the personal benefit of the patriarch but upon occasions

Exodus 18:21-23 — "the best" man of a generation in the post of governor, but his incompetence, vacillation, blindness to realities, and other elements of incompetence would have resulted in the murder of the apostle Paul had it not been for Paul's appeal to Caesar. (2)    Such men as fear God. What an important quality this is! Profane and irreligious persons are always unsuitable in any place of authority, especially in the judiciary. (3)    Men of truth. Truth is the cornerstone

Exodus 20:12 — the race were advancing as rapidly as each new generation of adolescents believes, mankind would have long since passed through the gates of perfection."Ervine Inglis, Sermons on the Ten Commandments (Lincoln, Neb.: Vine Women's Association, 1933), p. 2 The apparent gulf that separates some young people from their parents is merely a youthful fantasy, due to pass away in time, just like acne. Five things are promised to those who obey and honor their parents: "These are: (1) grace in the present life

Exodus 28:40-43 — precaution; "But ritual nakedness, especially for priests, was a feature of some ancient pagan religions; it was to be quite otherwise in Israel."Robert P. Gordon, The New Layman's Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1981), p. 202. The religion authorized by God was designed in such a manner that no essential element of it in any way manifested any similarity to the pagan religions of antiquity. And another distinguishing feature of the priesthood here initiated by Almighty

Exodus 4:24-26 — for their not circumcising Eliezer. Such conclusions are based upon unmistakable implications of the text, such as this, "It is clear that Zipporah's action saved his life precisely because it assuaged the anger of God (`He let him alone', Exodus 4:26)."Robert P. Gordon, The New Layman's Bible Commentary, Exodus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), p. 181. Either Moses was too ill to circumcise the boy, or Zipporah for some other reason took the lead and did it herself. However, "She

1 Kings 15:16-22 — guidance from the Lord, but now, at a later time, he asked help from the king of Syria in Damascus. The prophet Hanani condemned Asa for this lack of confidence in the Lord and severely rebuked him. Asa's angry response was to imprison the prophet (2 Chronicles 16:7-10). It should not be overlooked that Baasha's building Ramah here was in fact his fortification of the place. "Benhadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Syria" We are amused that Matheney comments on this thus: "This

2 Kings 8:10-13 — question of Benhadad very disgusting. Snaith declared that, "The purpose of the oracle (the prophecy) was to lure Benhadad into false confidence," and that, "Elisha at once took steps to insure the death of Benhadad."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 3, p. 227. "Some even attribute Hazael's foul crime to Elisha's instigation."International Critical Commentary, op. cit., p. 393. Such opinions are wrong and sinful. Harold Stigers gives us the proper understanding of what is written here. "Thou mayest certainly

Numbers 15:1-10 — specifically into the N.T. If one wonders why these specifics concerning meal, oil and wine were here spelled out in such detail, it is because "no fixed amounts were prescribed" at the time the laws were given.John Marsh, Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 2, Numbers (New York: Abingdon Press, 1955), p. 215. "The laws here are addressed to the new generation,"T. Carson, New Layman's Bible Commentary, Numbers (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), p. 259. the condemned generation apparently being

Numbers 22:2-6 — Moabite territory away from them during the reign of a king preceding Balak, the king of Moab at the time of the mission of Balaam. This change in the monarchy of Moab was explained by the words, "And Balak… was king of Moab at that time (Numbers 22:4)." This reference, therefore, is not at all "an indication of later origin" of this passage. Some, of course, import such a meaning into this place; but it is absolutely on a parity with what the apostle John said in his account of the trials of

Numbers 27:1-5 — information here given would seem to cover only about eight generations, which "is hardly in accord with the 470 years (sojourn in Egypt) required by the narrative; some links however may have been dropped."Thomas Whitelaw, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 2, Numbers (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 363. Of course, this is an abbreviated list, as are doubtless many of the others in the Pentateuch. We should ever bear in mind that Moses had no intention here of furnishing us with

Numbers 27:12-14 — Zin.)" Here we do not have some kind of subjective premonition or "hunch" on Moses' part to the effect that he might die. Oh, no! "Jehovah said unto Moses" It is difficult to imagine a more specific commandment. (1) Get up (into Abarim and see the land). (2) Then you will die (when you have seen the land). (3) How? (Your death will be as Aaron's). (4) Why? (You have failed to sanctify me before the people at the waters of Meribah). These words prepare us for an account of Moses' death, but the last nine

Joshua 11:16-20 — However, it is clear enough that the THREE decisive campaigns recounted so far, "clearly put an end to the Canaanite political and social system."Jolm Lilley, The New Layman's Bible Commentary, Joshua (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), p. 322. The war which followed the campaigns thus far described in Joshua is described as a "long" one (Joshua 11:18); and, "the natural inference from Joshua 14:7-10, is that it lasted for SEVEN YEARS."J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 148. From this, it is plain

Joshua 24:29-33 — money: and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. And Eleazar the son of Aaron died, and they buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill-country of Ephraim. "Joshua…the servant of Jehovah" (Joshua 24:29). The title, "Servant of Jehovah" is used of Moses frequently in the Book of Joshua, as in Joshua 1:1-2; Joshua 1:13; Joshua 8:31; Joshua 8:33; Joshua 9:24; Joshua 11:12; Joshua 11:15; Joshua 12:6; Joshua 13:8; Joshua 14:7; Joshua 18:7; Joshua 22:2;

Judges 16:1-3 — upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron" "Samson went down to Gaza" "Gaza was the last coast town on the way down to Egypt and was about thirty miles from Samson's home."Arthur S. Peake Commentary, p. 268. The city is still there, sustaining a population in excess of 10,000. "It is located two miles from the Mediterranean coast."Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Old Testament, Judges, p. 259. " We agree with Hervey that this episode "came many years after

1 Samuel 23:24-29 — is in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. "The wilderness of Maon" "Maon is a city in the hill country of Judah, and the home of Nabal the wealthy flock master. The site is now called El Ma'in, eight miles south of Hebron."Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Vol. 2, p. 1076. "Jeshimon" "There were two places called Jeshimon, (1) a barren place northeast of the Dead Sea, and (2) a place north of the hill Hachilah in the wilderness of Maon."Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 912. It is the second of these that is referred to here. One

1 Samuel 28:3-7 — trying to do the will of God. "Wizards and mediums" "From Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3, it may be inferred that the oracles procured from such sources were uttered in a squealing voice, by means of ventriloquism."Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, Samuel, p. 291. "The Hebrew word for `mediums' here is [~'oboth], which is the plural of [~'ob], meaning `leather bottles.' It is generally taken to refer to the distended belly of the conjurer, into which the summoned spirit of the dead was supposed to enter, and

2 Samuel 17:1-4 — appears to be a key factor in Absalom's choice of a delay in the attack on David. "Ahithophel's advice here shows his political sagacity; if it had been adopted, it would have extinguished the cause of David."Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary, p. 205. "You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace" What this said to Absalom was that, "If we can only kill David, there will be no civil war."Albert Barnes, Samuel, p. 106. "And the advice pleased Absalom and all the elders

2 Samuel 19:31-40 — be buried by the side of his father and mother. "But here is your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do for him whatever seems good to you" Josephus tells us that Chimham was Barzillai's son,Flavius Josephus, Antiquities, p. 227. which is supported by the inference in 1 Kings 2:7. David not only honored this request but he told Barzillai that he would do for Chimham. "Whatever seems good to you (Barzaillai), and also that anything Barzillai might desire, David would do for