Bible Commentaries

Genesis 39 overview — allegation that was made quite generally at the beginning of this century to the effect that, "The story has a striking parallel to the Egyptian Tale of Two Brothers."Arthur S. Peake, A Commentary on the Bible (London: T. C. and E. C. Jack, Ltd., 1924), p. 163. Skinner even made the Egyptian story, "the original"John Skinner, International Critical Commentary, Genesis (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1910), p. 459. of this account in the Bible. Such allegations are merely fantastic nonsense. That Egyptian

Nehemiah 11 overview — their conflicting views regarding what they are pleased to call "the sources" of these chapters exhibit, "A diversity that may seem bewildering and lead to skepticism with regard to a critical approach itself."Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Vol. 16, p. 275. Indeed, indeed! The simple truth is that by far the most rational and satisfactory understanding of the Book of Nehemiah is that of accepting it, first and last, and everything in between, as the production of Nehemiah. That he included lists and

Job 21 overview — JOB'S SEVENTH DISCOURSE: JOB'S REPLY TO ZOPHAR AND HIS OTHER FRIENDS Job's message here was directed particularly to Zophar; "And Job's tone was so sharp that Zophar would not take part in the third cycle of dialogues."Van Selms, p. 82. "This speech is unusual for Job. It is the only one in which he confined his remarks to his friends and did not fall into either a soliloquy or a prayer. The time had now come for Job to demolish his friends arguments."Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries,

Psalms 111 overview — PRAISING JEHOVAH FOR HIS GOODNESS This and the next two psalms are called Hallelujah Psalms because of the use of that word at the beginning and usually at the end of the psalms in this classification. It is particularly paired with Psalms 112 because of a number of similarities which have led some scholars to designate them as "Twins." These resemblances are: (a) "Both begin with `Hallelujah'; (b) both are alphabetical (acrostic); (c) both consist of twenty lines, arranged into ten verses;

Psalms 23 overview — little psalm. It is described as perhaps the most popular chapter in the Old Testament, which is undoubtedly the truth. The Davidic authorship of it is generally accepted. "No really valid argument has yet been advanced against it."H. C. Leupold, p. 209. However, the date of its composition is uncertain. The metaphor of the shepherd which dominates the passage suggests the early life of the shepherd king David. but the content of it seems to be more appropriate for one well advanced in age. There

Psalms 58 overview — certain extent guaranteed by Psalms 64 and Psalms 111. The same David who wrote one of them wrote all three."F. Delitzsch, Vol. V-B, p. 179. 180. The paragraphing suggested by Kidner is adequate. I.    Tyrants Addressed (Psalms 58:1-2). II.    Tyrants Described (Psalms 58:3-5). III.    Tyrants Prayed Against (Psalms 58:6-9). IV.    Tyrants Rejoiced Over (Psalms 58:10-11). TYRANTS ADDRESSED

Psalms 67 overview — conversion of Gentiles. We are absolutely astounded that so many of the scholars we have consulted seem totally unaware of this. Just note what is here stated: God will cause his way to be known upon earth, his salvation among all nations (Psalms 67:2).Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee (Psalms 67:3). (peoples = Gentiles) (also Psalms 67:5).Oh let the nations (Gentiles) be glad and sing for joy (Psalms 67:4).Thou wilt judge the peoples (Gentiles) with equity (Psalms

Psalms 97 overview — Washington still stands." "God as Creator and the source of all righteousness and truth is again emphasized and amplified in Psalms 97. Here God is described: (1) as the Supreme One before whom creation itself is ever on the verge of dissolution; and (2) then as the Faithful One whose goodness and holiness are always being disclosed to all peoples through Zion."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 511. The dissolution of the earth mentioned here (Psalms 97:5), "Is possibly a reference to both the

Leviticus 24 overview — veil; (d)    upon the horns of the altar of incense; (e)    "round about upon the altar"; (f)    on the horns of the bronze altar; and (g)    at the base of the bronze altar. Seven feasts in Leviticus 23. Seven mentioned forty times in Leviticus. Seven days in the feast of Passover. Seven days in the feast of Pentecost. Seven days in the feast of Tabernacles. Seven examples of forgiveness of sins and appropriate trespass-offerings. Seven is mentioned

Isaiah 59 overview — difference, in one sense, who actually wrote this. Even if the critics could prove some Second Isaiah, or some Fourth Isaiah, wrote it (which of course is an outright impossibility); we are absolutely certain that it was written and published in the LXX, 250 B.C.; and that fact alone makes this chapter predictive prophecy at its best. We believe, of course, that Isaiah wrote it nearly eight hundred years before these conditions described here appeared in their full extent. Isaiah 59:1-8 describe the discouragement

Ezekiel 19 overview — stated it: "Ezekiel could write fine poetry when he chose; and on this occasion the impulse came from a mixed emotion, his pride in the royal house of Judah, and his pity for the misfortunes of the young princes."International Critical Commentary, p. 204. Evidently, Cooke overlooked the fact that it was upon the express commandment of the Lord himself that Ezekiel wrote this dirge; and although it may not be doubted that Ezekiel did himself experience deep emotions in the expression of this lament,

Ezekiel 26 overview — PROPHECY AGAINST TYRE It is of interest that, "In the Hebrew Bible, there is a marginal note at the beginning of this chapter, which reads, `half of the book.'"Anton T. Pearson in Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 742. Regarding the date of this chapter, Keil identified it as "the year in which Jerusalem fell."Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil-Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), p. 310. Alexander gave that date

Hosea 3 overview — logically written, intricately coordinated, and as dogmatically confirmed by the history of nearly three millenniums, as any sacred text ever treasured by the human race. The reason why some cannot understand Hosea 3 is that they missed the point in Hosea 2, which was the divorce, depicting God's repudiation of Israel as "the chosen people." No, that was not the end of God's relationship with Israel, that being depicted in the events of this chapter as the status, not of a wife, but as that of a slave

Zechariah 3 overview — remnant unfolds in the vision of this chapter. By God's acceptance of a returning remnant, the Father indicated that the ancient promises to Abraham, Moses and David were still valid. A Saviour who would yet "bless all the families of the earth" (Genesis 12:3) would in time be delivered to the world through that struggling little band that returned from captivity. Why would God do this? Simply because he had promised to do it. Did this rescue and return of the remnant signify that God was then satisfied

Revelation 11:7 — shall make war with them" and overcome them, and kill them. And when they shall have finished their testimony … This may be construed as meaning (1) at the end of the gospel age when all proclamations of the truth has been completed or (2) repeatedly, whenever and wherever the message is faithfully delivered. We are certain that the latter of these two interpretations is correct and shall therefore construe it as reference to a repeated phenomenon. As a repeated phenomenon. Upon any

Revelation 12:17 — upon the martyrdom of Stephen), Satan extended and continued his persecution of God's people, called here "the rest of her seed," and meaning the Christians of all ages. The rest of her seed … This suggests Galatians 3:16; Galatians 3:29, where Paul spoke of all Christians as "the seed of Abraham." Thus the woman is both the old Israel and the new Israel, but in both cases, only the true Israel. "The rest means the whole body of Christians, not merely those who are contrasted

Revelation 13:1 — interpretation. The seven heads are symbols of universal dominion, and the horns are the type of power." A. Plummer, op. cit., p. 330. The horns also represent the multiple kingdoms that succeed the fatal wounding of the sixth head. See under Revelation 17:12 ff. And upon his heads the names of blasphemy … The universal dominions indicated here ascribed all honor and glory to themselves, as when Nebuchadnezzar required all people to worship a golden image of himself (Daniel 3:4-5), and as when Roman

Revelation 14:20 — And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand six hundred furlongs. "That the symbolism of Revelation 14:17-20 describes the final judgment at the last day we consider beyond successful denial." R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 452. Without the city … We must not think of this as any earthly place such as Jerusalem, Rome, or Babylon. "It is the

Revelation 18:2 — historicists may be right in applying it to the Papacy." Ralph Earle, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. 10 (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1967), p. 598. They are both right. Just as Jesus' prophecy had reference to: (1) the fall of Jerusalem, and also to (2) the end of the world, this prophecy also is big enough to take care of both events. Rome is properly identified both as the pagan city and also as the later headquarters of the harlot. It is the vain effort to nullify and discard this second meaning

Revelation 22:2 — healing of the nations. In the midst of the street … "This may be taken, not as the end of the first sentence, but as the beginning of the second." William Barclay, The Revelation of John (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976), p. 221. As a matter of fact, the phrase may be applied: (1) to the river of life; (2) the throne of God; or (3) the tree of life. It does not make the slightest difference which view is taken. No literal description of heaven is here intended. These are