Bible Commentaries

Genesis 11 overview — Toledoth V (Genesis 11:10-26) Toledoth VI (Genesis 11:27) It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this chapter, since it recounts the Second Hardening of mankind, in which, on the plains of Shinar there flowered the second general rebellion of humanity against the

Exodus 17 overview — Two events are recorded in this chapter: (1) Water from the Rock (Exodus 17:1-7); and (2) the repulsing of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). There is a remarkable likeness in the record of these episodes, despite the radical differences. WATER WAR The danger (Exodus 17:1-3). The danger (Exodus 17:8). The deliverance (Exodus 17:4-6). The

1 Kings 12 overview — THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL DIVIDED "The history of the divided kingdom has three phases: (1)    From Jeroboam to Omri in the north and from Rehoboam to Asa in the south - a time of mutual hostility. (2)    Under Ahab, Ahaziah, and Joram in Israel, and Jehoshaphat, Joram, and Ahaziah in the south - a time of friendship due to marital alliances. (3)    From Jehu of Israel and Joash of Judah to the fall of Samaria

Nehemiah 10 overview — THOSE WHO SEALED THE COVENANT; TERMS OF THE COVENANT This writer finds it impossible to believe the flat declaration of Bowman that, "Nehemiah 10:1-27 are interpolated,"The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 3, p. 761. there being no historical evidence whatever of such a thing. The critical scholars seek to connect those verses with the Book of Ezra, but that notion is refuted absolutely by the fact that,

Psalms 124 overview — psalm is ascribed to David in the superscription; and, "There is nothing in it to render it improbable that it was composed by him."Barnes' Notes on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, a 1987 reprint of the 1878 edition), Vol. III, p. 241. Nevertheless, a number of current scholars, under the influence of the critical dictum that alleges Aramaisms as evidence of a late date, place the psalm in post-exilic times. Such later dating is only through lack of knowledge that Aramaisms are

Psalms 147 overview — PRAISING GOD FOR ISRAEL'S RETURN TO JERUSALEM The scholars are somewhat perplexed about the unity of this psalm. The Septuagint (LXX) makes a separate psalm out of Psalms 147:12-20; Yates found, "Three psalms (Psalms 147:1-6; Psalms 147:7-11; and Psalms 147:12-20) compressed into one, "Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, Old Testament, p. 550. as did also Briggs and Ballard. However, as Allen, a very recent scholar pointed out,

Psalms 92 overview — evidence whatever that Adam ever heard of it. God revealed the sabbath day to Moses, not Adam. Furthermore, it was never given to "all mankind" but only to the Jews. (For further information on this subject see our extended comments on this matter in Vol. 2, of our Series on the Pentateuch (Exodus), pp. 223-226, 277-279.) The first mention of a sabbath day is not in Genesis, but in Exodus 16:23; and the words, `Remember the sabbath day' in the Decalogue are not a reference to Genesis, but to Exodus 16:23. Regarding

Leviticus 1 overview — the burnt-offering. Even some of those scholars who seek to late-date portions of Leviticus freely admit that it certainly contains much "very ancient"Theodore H. Robinson, Twentieth Century Bible Commentary (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1955), p. 142. material, and that, in its great essentials, it is a "divine revelation.G. Henton Davies, 20th Century Bible Commentary (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1955), p. 142. Our own view is that, in its entirety, the Book of Leviticus is from God, through

Isaiah 61 overview — year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened upon him. And he began to say unto them, Today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:16-21). The quotation which Jesus read to the people that day is that of the first verse of this chapter, read apparently from the LXX, because the line about "recovering of sight to the blind" is from that version of the Old Testament, not from the ASV. Chapter

Ezekiel 32 overview — FINAL CHAPTER AGAINST EGYPT WITH ORACLES (6) Ezekiel 32:1-16 AND (7) Ezekiel 32:17-32 This chapter has the final two of seven oracles against Egypt in Ezekiel 29-32. The first of these, Ezekiel 32:1-16 is a prophecy of the, "Monster of Egypt, caught, slain and devoured."Anton T. Pearson in Wycliffe Bible

Numbers 24 overview — accepted the Messianic import of this chapter. Also, the Jewish scholars of all ages read the passage as a promise of the blessed Messiah. The proof of this lies in the behavior of a false messiah, Bar Kochba, who led a Jewish revolt against Rome (132-133 B.C.). The name assumed by this imposter was Bar Kochba, meaning "Son of the Star."W. Gunther Plaut, Torah, A Modern Commentary (Philadelphia: The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1979), p. 235. It was the general understanding of the Hebrew

Numbers 3 overview — the problem? Is anything too hard for God? Our holy text makes it perfectly clear that God Himself provided the food and drink for that whole era of forty years. The people who have trouble with this evidently know nothing of the God of the Bible. (2)    If, as strongly suggested by some writers, the word here rendered "thousand(s)" actually meant something else originally, then, in this particular, the Masoretic Text would be in error, but, of course, there is no evidence whatever

Deuteronomy 5 overview — "These differences are of little moment."W. L. Alexander, The Pulpit Commentary, Deuteronomy (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 84. Scott listed the so-called "differences" between the two as follows: (1) hortatory additions; (2) more definite and emphatic statement; (3) raising of wife's status; (4) humanitarian motive for observing sabbath; (5) additional incentive for honoring parents; and (6) the addition of "ox," "ass," "manservant," and "woman servant," to the list of

James 2:24 — has the function of moving James' teaching away from Abraham as an illustration of it and making it inclusive of all men forever. Ward of course makes the works James mentioned "the evidence of justification," Ronald A. Ward, op. cit., p. 1229. whereas James in this verse has reference to the "means of justification." We appreciate the candor of E. C. S. Gibson who left James 2:24 altogether out of his interpretation. This verse so dramatically and effectively refutes Solifidianism

1 Peter 1:7 — remains, the joys that gold may procure for us are uncertain and often flee like the dew of morning; but the happiness that is obtained by an enduring faith will not pass away. E. M. Zerr, Bible Commentary (Marion, Indiana: Cogdill Foundation, 1954), p. 253. It will not be lost on a close student of the New Testament that these verses are loaded with phrases and thoughts used by the apostle Peter in his sermons (Acts 3:20-21; Acts 10:42). By Peter's striking this note of suffering early in his letter,

1 John 4:13 — hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. In this paragraph (1 John 4:12-16), the indwelling God is mentioned three times, and the reciprocal nature of it (he in us, we in him) is stressed twice. The evidence of God's indwelling is differently stated as follows: 1 John 4:13, He hath given us his Spirit. 1 John 4:15, Whosoever

2 John 1:9 — Testament, has advanced right out of Christianity. "Our aim should be not to be advanced, but to abide in the doctrine of Christ."Leon Morris, The New Bible Commentary, Revised (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970), p. 1272. Many have rationalized their departure from the teachings of Jesus Christ through the vain belief that, "Theology is to God's revelation in Grace as science is to his revelation in Nature";David Smith, op. cit., p. 202. but it is not

Revelation 13:2 — the world as opposed to Christ and his kingdom." Alford as quoted by A. Plummer, op. cit., p. 331. "All that is so frightful about three of Daniel's beasts is combined in this one beast of Revelation." R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 392. Caird discerningly addressed the problem discussed under "The Christian View of the State" in the chapter introduction, pointing out that, "The beast is not actually government, but the abuse of government." R. C. H. Lenski, op.

Revelation 17:10 — such thing. And when he cometh, he must continue a little while … The entire Christian dispensation is meant by this. The word continue means remain; and Hendriksen declared that the emphasis is on remain." William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 204. "In the language of the Apocalypse, this entire gospel age is but a little while (Revelation 11:2-3; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 13:5)." Ibid. This dispensation is indeed only "a little while" as it relates to

Revelation 17:17 — that final orchestration and acceleration of all the evil on earth culminating in his sudden overthrow and destruction by the personal appearance of the Son of God in his Second Advent. See our "Excursus on The Man of Sin," my Commentary on 2 Thessalonians, pp. 106-117. In the light of the truth of this chapter, it would appear that he does not arise from within the apostasy, but independently of it, and as an enemy of the apostate form of Christianity, no less than of true Christianity.