Bible Commentaries

Genesis 2:24 — "Therefore shall man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." This verse was quoted by Christ and designated the "Word of God" in Matthew 19:5-6. The prophetic power of Adam is inherent in such a declaration in the given circumstances. Christ used this verse as a condemnation of divorce, as did also the prophet Malachi (Malachi 2:15), as teaching the indissoluble nature of marriage and the

Job 17:1-2 — paraphrase of Job 17:1: "I spoke of years just now, but I am all but dead now. I have no spirit left; I cannot do anything."Van Selms, p. 71. "Surely there are mockers with me" "Job charged his friends with mockery, the penalty of which (Deuteronomy 19:15-21) prescribed that the false accuser would receive the punishment assigned to the crime wrongly alleged."Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Vol. 13. p. 184. It was perhaps to this that Job alluded in Job 17:5. "Their provocation" This verse is obscure

Job 7 overview — (Job 7:20). He stated here that those who go down into Sheol shall come up no more (Job 7:9); but afterward he would declare that after death, "in my flesh, I shall see God" (Job 19:26 KJV). His reference to his flesh being clothed with worms (Job 7:5), "Could be either a figure of speech or literally true. We do not know; but, in any case, Job's body had become loathsome, and he suffered intense pain."George DeHoff's Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 23. "In the first part of this chapter, Job justifies himself

Psalms 42:11 — I shall yet praise him Who is the help of my countenance, and my God." We have already commented upon the meaning of this verse in the three locations where it appears in these psalms, giving the particular meaning in each case. See under Psalms 42:5, above. The evidence of the influence of the words of Jonah in this passage is overwhelming. "I shall yet praise him (God)" Jonah prayed, "I am cast out from before thine eyes, yet I will look again toward thy holy temple." (Jonah 2:4). And again, he

Psalms 5 overview — PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM THE WICKED(FOR THE CHIEF MUSICIAN; WITH THE NEHILOTH. A PSALM OF DAVID) This psalm is also called a "Morning Prayer" because of the statement in Psalms 5:3. Any connection the psalm has with the life of David is unknown, because the prayer is appropriate for any individual at any time, especially when one is threatened by enemies. "With the Nehiloth." This word has no certain meaning at all for us. It

Psalms 83:6-8 — Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre: Assyria also is joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. (Selah)" The peoples mentioned here are: (1) the Edomites; (2) the Ishmaelites; (3) the Moabites; (4) the Hagarenes; (5) Gebal; (6) Ammon; (7) Amalek; (8) Philistines; (9) Tyre; and (10) Assyria. All of these are well known, except Gebal and the Hagarenes. Gebal was "An ancient Phoenician city situated on a bluff overlooking the Mediterranean sea."International Standard

Proverbs 14:18 — the RSV gave this translation, writing that, "Acquire here is not likely to be correct. The simple are the immature, untutored people, who already have folly as a part of their nature."Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), Vol. 5, p. 47. There are many other renditions, which we are citing merely for the sake of showing the different viewpoints, which are also subject to serious questions as to their accuracy. After all, as F. F. Bruce, head of the department of Biblical and

Proverbs 30 overview — IV. THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS "These final two chapters are remarkably different from the rest of the book."International Critical Commentary, Vol. 17, Proverbs, p. 517. This chapter is composed of six paragraphs which in Proverbs 30:1 seem to be ascribed to Agur, about whom we have no information. The final chapter is ascribed to Lemuel king of Masa; but nothing is known either of Lemuel, or of any country known

Song of Solomon 1:8 — IRONIC RETORT OF THE HAREM WOMEN "If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents." "This verse contains the response of the chorus."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 5, p. 108. What chorus? The scene here is that of Solomon's harem. These had overheard her soliloquy, longing to find her true love; and their ironic and contemptuous answer is in this verse. "Let her go and find him for herself. `Go back to your shepherd

Isaiah 33:4-6 — directly in Isaiah 33:4, sentencing him to the same brutal treatment he had imposed upon others and promising particularly that all of his spoils would be taken from him in a manner comparable to the devastation caused by a swarm of locusts. Isaiah 33:5-6 promise stability in "thy times," that is, the times of Hezekiah, his treasures being the fear of the Lord. The prophecy turned at once from the contemplation of victory and stability foreseen in the future to the disastrous situation revealed in

Isaiah 47 overview — Cheyne's Commentary, p. 306. after the manner of the proleptic passages in Revelation, to the prophet Isaiah, or to the faithful among the captives. The chapter consists of four strophes or stanzas, composed of 4 verses (Isaiah 47:1-4), 3 verses (Isaiah 47:5-7), 4 verses (Isaiah 47:8-11), and 4 verses (Isaiah 47:12-14).Pulpit Commentary, Vol. II. p. 203. Cheyne's rendition of the first stanza is so interesting that we have chosen it instead of the American Standard Version for the text here:

Jeremiah 4 overview — the prophet's address to the Northern Israel (Jeremiah 4:1-2); then there is a call for Judah's repentance and return to duty as the very last hope of her averting destruction (Jeremiah 4:3-4); next, the Babylonian invasion is prophesied (Jeremiah 4:5-9); there follows the most difficult verse in the chapter (Jeremiah 4:10); a continued description of the forthcoming invasion is given (Jeremiah 4:11-18); personified Judah bewails her fate (Jeremiah 4:19-21); God's answer and the cause of their misery

Ezekiel 7:1 — MORE ON THE DOOM OF ISRAEL Some have called this chapter a dirge; but, "There are four oracles in it: (1) Ezekiel 7:2-4, (2) Ezekiel 7:5-9, (3) Ezekiel 7:10-11, and (4) Ezekiel 7:12-13, followed by an exposition of their common theme (Ezekiel 7:14-27)."G. R. Beasley-Murray in the New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 669. The date of this section of the prophecy as given in 1:1 would leave

Hosea 2:19-20 — Jehovah." The triple betrothal here signals a marriage, not a remarriage to the apostate whore, but to a people of God who will exhibit the five Christian virtues of this passage: (1) righteousness; (2) justice; (3) loving-kindness; (4) mercies; and (5) faithfulness. As Hailey flatly declared: "The betrothal here indicates a new marriage based on the New Covenant."Ibid. Note the emphasis upon one of the great words of the passage in Jeremiah 31:31-35, "Thou shalt know Jehovah." In the light of the

Micah 3:1 — is it not for you to know justice?" We fully agree with Harley that this chapter is not a continuation of the denunciations already given in the first two chapters, but an introductory passage preparatory "to the great Messianic messages of Micah 4-5."Homer Hailey, A Commentary on the Minor Prophets (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1972), p. 201. The message of Micah here is directed squarely against Judah, the southern kingdom; and although both terms "Israel" and "Jacob" are used, "The terms are

Micah 7:9 — judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness." The true penitent accepts the punishment of his iniquity (Leviticus 26:41; Leviticus 26:43); they who murmur against God do not yet know their guilt (Job 40:4-5).Ibid. This verse is the language of the repentant remnant of the people, accepting the justice of their punishment, and yet still trusting in the covenant with God which they were determined to keep. This believing remnant receives Jehovah's faithfulness

Matthew 5:8 — Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. This refers not merely to those whose hearts are free from evil purpose and desire but particularly alludes to those whose hearts have been purified by faith (Acts 15:9) and obedience to the gospel (1 Peter 1:22). The "heart" in this passage is, of course, THE MIND. According to the Scriptures, it is "THE HEART" that imagines (Genesis 6:5), understands (Matthew 15:13), reasons (Mark 2:8), thinks

2 Corinthians 8 overview — In this and the following chapters are found "the most complete instructions about church giving which the New Testament contains." Henry H. Halley, Bible Handbook (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1927), p. 555. The principles to be respected in the discharge of this duty were outlined by Halley, as follows: Though it is offering for charity, we presume the principles here stated should be the guide for churches in the taking of all of their offerings. The

Philippians 2 overview — fourfold basis of his appeal with an intensity indicating that "There was serious personal strife for place among the Philippian Christians. John A. Knight, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. IX, Philippians (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1965), p. 315. (Philippians 2:1-4). The example of humility exhibited by the Saviour was cited as motivation for their unity (Philippians 2:5-11), this offhand, matter-of-fact appeal standing as one of the most astounding testimonials to the pre-existence

Jude 1:16 — analysis of this verse was given by Wallace which pointed out the numerous charges against the evil men enumerated in this single verse: (1) they are grumblers; (2) they are complainers; (3) they are malcontents; (4) their sole guide is their lusts; (5) they are noisy boasters; and (6) all that they do is directed to procuring some personal benefit for themselves. How many on earth today are described by this same analysis?