Bible Commentaries

Exodus 31:6-11 — he was of the tribe of Dan; and although that tribe does not appear to have been famous for such men of artistic talent, it was likewise true that Hiram, the chief artist employed by Solomon for the ornamental work of the temple, was also a Danite (2 Chronicles 2:14). Despite such notable exceptions, "The Danites in general were more warlike and rude than artistic (Genesis 49:17; Deuteronomy 33:22; Judges 13:2; Judges 18:11; Judges 18:27)."George Rawlinson, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 1, Exodus

2 Kings 12:17-18 — word "Jehovah" does not appear anywhere in it. The use of it in our version (ASV) is just one of the serious mistakes in this version. David Francis Roberts writing in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia speaks knowingly of "Contradictions in 2 Chronicles (24) of the account in 2 Kings,"International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p. 1578. but he cited nothing of any importance. The variations are merely those that should be expected from different reports of the same events. As we

Nehemiah 1:1-2 — was of the tribe of Judah."C. F. Keil, Keil and Delitzsch's Old Testament Commentaries, op. cit., p. 155. Jamieson supposed that this is true and added further that, "He was of the royal family of David."Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary, p. 294. Matthew Henry, however, stated that, "If 2 Maccabees 1:18 is the truth in their statement that Nehemiah offered sacrifices, then we must conclude that he was a priest and therefore of the tribe of Levi."Matthew Henry's Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 1068,

Proverbs 24:13-14 — Word 26. "My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb which are sweet to thy taste: So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off." "Wisdom

Jeremiah 2:20-25 — weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst. But thou saidst, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them I will go." The change to the first person in Jeremiah 2:20 should not be confusing. This type of abrupt change of persons is common in most of the Biblical writings. The Anchor Bible gives the true meaning of the passage thus: "Long ago you snapped your yoke,Shook off your lines.And said, "I will not serve!"Nay,

Hosea 2:4 — children of whoredom." There is nothing unjust in this verse; because the meaning is not that they were to be disinherited through the accident of birth, but because they proved to be the very image of their idolatrous mother. "The children of Hosea 2:2 have failed to join Hosea in the trial."James Luther Mays, op. cit., p. 39. They do not contend with her, for they are one in heart and soul with their reprobate mother. Therefore, "Their status becomes that of offspring born to a harlot."Ibid. In

Hosea 8:8 — nation as if it had already happened, which, in a sense, of course, it had. "Vessel wherein none delighteth" Harper and others have rejected this as a gloss,W. R. Harper, op. cit., p. 317. but the scriptural use of this very terminology in Romans 9:22 and 2 Timothy 2:20 makes such a view untenable. Paul elaborated the figure used here, applying it specifically to the whole of Israel, not merely the northern kingdom. (See my commentary on Romans, pp. 346-348, for a full discussion of this.) Dummelow

Matthew 13:34-35 — the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. — Psalms 78:2 This concluded the first four parables which were addressed to the multitudes. This restriction of Jesus' teachings to parables only was confined to certain occasions, especially this one. Halley pointed out, "Christ's teachings that day were parabolical."John

Matthew 24:3 — and Andrew (Mark 13:3); and only these four were present to hear the remarkable discourse which begins with the fourth verse of this chapter.J. W. McGarvey, Commentary on Matthew and Mark (Delight, Arkansas: Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1875), p. 204. Note that there are three questions raised by the disciples: 1.    When shall these things be? 2.    What shall be the sign of thy coming? 3.    What shall be the sign of the end of the

Luke 11:50-51 — of them; but through their continuation in the evil ways of their ancestors, they brought the accumulated wrath of centuries upon themselves. Zachariah … Many modern commentators identify this person with "Zechariah, the son of Jehoida (2 Chronicles 24:20-21); and, as 2 Chronicles was the last book in the Hebrew arrangement of the Old Testament Scriptures, it is supposed that Jesus referred to Abel, the first victim of murder recorded in Genesis, and coupled it with this example from

Luke 2:1 — Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. (Luke 2:1) Augustus … "This is the title given by the Roman Senate on January 17, 27 B.C., to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.)."Encyclopedia Britannica, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 686. All the world … was "a technical term

2 Corinthians 11:5 — light is thrown on the language of the New Testament, it is increasingly probable that Paul coined the word thus rendered." Philip E. Hughes, op. cit., p. 379. Tasker especially favored this view. R. V. G. Tasker, op. cit., p. 149. Only here and in 2 Corinthians 12:11 is it found. (2)    The pronouns in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 logically refer to "chiefest apostles"; and there they are designated as "false apostles" and servants of Satan. (3)    In

Galatians 2:10 — churches that they might expect him to raise money from them to be distributed among the poor, as soon as he should have the opportunity. On Paul's final visit to Jerusalem, he delivered such a contribution to James and the elders in Jerusalem (Acts 21:17). THE CONFRONTATION WITH PETER The next eleven verses (Galatians 2:11-21) were written, it seems, to emphasize, not merely that Paul's gospel had been approved by the Twelve, but that in one grave particular, he preached the true gospel even when

Ephesians 2:1 — 1964), p. 476. (1 Timothy 5:6; Revelation 3:1). In the Scriptural view, sin equals death; and there is no light or casual view of either in the Bible. You did he make alive … Beare pointed out that the various pronouns "you" (Ephesians 2:1-2), "we all" (Ephesians 2:3), and "us … we" (Ephesians 2:4), "refer to the distinction between Jews and Gentiles only to nullify it. Both are shown to have been alike guilty and in need of God's mercy." Francis

Colossians 3 overview — 3:9-14). d.    The sovereignty of Christ was to rule them (Colossians 3:15-17). e.    Instructions regarding reciprocal relationships (Colossians 3:18 to Colossians 4:1). 1.    As wives and husbands (Colossians 3:18-20). 2.    As parents and children (Colossians 3:21). 3.    As servants and masters (Colossians 3:22 to Colossians 4:1). G. G. Findlay, Colossians in The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 19 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B.

Hebrews 11:36-38 — shone in the darkness and the darkness overcame it not (John 1:5). Many whose names none shall ever know until the judgment have suffered these or similar trials. Some of the names of such persons are preserved in the Old Testament. Samson (Judges 16:25); Micaiah (1 Kings 22:27), Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:10), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:2 ff; Jeremiah 32:2 ff) were all victims of such treatment. In the historical book of 2 Maccabees are the accounts of many such things that doubtless happened; and it

Judges 5:12-14 — came down governors, And out of Zebulun they that handle the marshall's staff" "Lead away the captives" Dalglish pointed out how: "A similar phrase, `lead captivity captive,' was later applied to (1) the triumphal procession of God (Psalms 68:17 f); (2) and to the conquering Christ (Ephesians 4:8-10; Colossians 2:15, and 2 Corinthians 2:14-16)."Beacon Bible Commentary, op. cit., p. 410. "A remnant of the nobles and the people" Not all of Israel responded to the call of Deborah. The word "remnant"

1 Samuel 2:1-10 — worthless! (1)    The placement of the song is alleged as "a reason," but it appears in the text exactly where it belongs, i.e., precisely following the dedication of Samuel at the tabernacle and in connection with the worship service mentioned in 1 Samuel 1:28. Where else would the critics have placed it? (2)    The fact that 1 Samuel 2:11 is the natural continuation of 1 Samuel 1:28 is erroneously called "a reason," but there are a thousand instances in the Holy Bible were a verse, or

2 Samuel 1:1-10 — lord." Critics who seem to be searching for things which they can call "contradictions" in the Bible have complained that this report of Saul's death "is impossible to reconcile with the account in First Samuel."International Critical Commentary, Samuel, p. 254. This is no problem whatever, because, as Willis stated, "The Amalekite's report was a deliberate lie. What actually happened is recorded in 1 Samuel 31, and this paragraph reports what the Amalekite told David."John T. Willis, p. 281. A similar so-called

2 Samuel 23:1-7 — utterly consumed with fire.'" We are by no means satisfied with this translation; it stands in sharp variance with the KJV. By way of excuse for the RSV, it should be pointed out that, "The text is appallingly corrupt."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 2, p. 1167. Added to that, we must consider the eagerness of may modern translators and commentators either to eliminate altogether or to diminish the impact of all Messianic prophecies in the O.T. For these reasons, we believe that Christians should