Bible Commentaries

Genesis 14:13 — is quite possible that the armed force commanded by Abram in the rescue mission numbered 1,300 men, an army fully as large as that of General Sam Houston who defeated the vastly superior forces of Santa Ana in the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. "Trained men born in his house" It is often overlooked that Abram was the possessor of many indentured servants, and slaves born in his house, including, no doubt, many natural sons born to his concubines: "But unto the sons of the concubines that

Genesis 14:15-16 — despite the fact of the kings not having been personally present on such excursions. (3)    Abram was aided by three allies. (4)    He had the advantage of surprise. (5)    He attacked by night. (6)    He attacked from a number of directions at one time. (7)    He attacked an overconfident force with their guard down. (8)    He attacked a force weary from a long campaign and depleted

Psalms 130 overview — and his atoning death on Calvary. However, this psalmist, recognizing the agonizing sorrow of his penitent heart called to God for a forgiveness which he knew was "with God" (Psalms 130:4). He was like a watchman "waiting for the morning" (Psalms 130:6); but that "morning" of forgiveness would not come until the heavens should ring with the angelic chorus singing Glory to God in the Highest and the shepherds of Judea would find the Christ child in the Manger of Bethlehem. The theme of the psalm is

Psalms 139 overview — Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, a 1987 reprint of the 1878 edition), Vol. III, p. 290. Counting the Aramaisms is a favorite device of critics, but as Kidner said, "Aramaic influence is no proof of late dating."Derek Kidner, Vol. II, p. 464. This writer has lost patience with the type of thinking that seems to count the contradiction of something in the Bible, even if it is only a superscription, as some kind of a climax in human intelligence! The following quotation from Charles Haddon

Psalms 15 overview — temple, this psalm would have been rendered hundreds of times a day to the point of deadening monotony; and, besides that, there is nothing whatever that indicates any such liturgical use of it."H. C. Leupold, The Psalms (Baker Book House, 1959), p. 146. It appears that Dummelow's opinion that the setting of this psalm is in the times, "Of the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 6:16)J. R. Dummelow, Whole Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 434. is as good a guess as any, since

Psalms 30 overview — Dedication of the House," also generally received as accurate, is the basis of several opinions regarding its meaning. A summary of various views as to what is meant by the "Dedication of the House" is as follows: It refers to the Temple of Zerubbabel in 165 B.C.W. E. Addis, p. 377. Some say it refers to the Temple of Solomon. Some think it means the house of David's palace, Others assign it to the purgation and re-dedication of David's house (palace) after Absalom left. Calmet believed the psalm was written

Psalms 59 overview — threatened to kill her. Of all the psalms dealing with David's difficulties with Saul, this is the very earliest. As Delitzsch stated it, "This is the earliest of the Davidic Psalms which are dated from Saul's persecutions."F. Delitzsch, Vol. V-B, p. 186. "The Psalm divides into four parts, two of them terminated by the word "Selah," and the other two by refrains."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8-B, p. 11. These divisions are (1) Psalms 59:1-5; (2) Psalms 59:6-9; (3) Psalms 59:10-13, and (4) Psalms 59:14-17.

Psalms 61 overview — statements in the text."H. C. Leupold, p. 454. There are also a number of different occasions, or dates, which have been proposed. Addis dated it during the Babylonian exile, or afterward, due to his misunderstanding of "the ends of the earth" (Psalms 61:2), and the mention of "tent" in Psalms 61:4.W. E. Addis, p. 383. Several scholars, mentioned by Delitzsch, dated the psalm even later, during the times of Cyrus the Persian, or of the Ptolemies, or the Seleucidae, but he denounced them all as "worthless

Isaiah 15 overview — We shall treat Isaiah 15 and Isaiah 16 together, both of them being devoted entirely to the "Burden of Moab." All of the commentators speak of the difficulties connected with interpreting this prophecy, but despite many questions that remain without certain answers, the overall picture is

Isaiah 18 overview — the use of the word "burden" in this title, because this prophecy is not a prophecy against Ethiopia, but about Ethiopia. This is called by ancient and present-day commentators alike "The most difficult chapter encountered thus far,"Homer Hailey, p. 156 and "One of the most obscure prophecies in Isaiah."Robert Lowth's Commentary, p. 234. This little chapter falls into two divisions, or stanzas of three verses each, followed by an epilogue of a single verse.T. K. Cheyne's Commentary, p. 110. As we shall

John 17 overview — This whole chapter records the prayer that Jesus offered on the betrayal night in contemplation of the cross. There is the prayer for himself (John 17:1-5), for the apostles (John 17:6-19), and for those of all generations who would believe on him through the apostles' word (John 17:20-26). Hester said: John 17 is the real Lord's prayer. In this deeply moving experience he prays: first for himself, for his disciples, and for the whole

1 Corinthians 10 overview — Corinthians 8:2); (3) their actions defiled the consciences of the weak (1 Corinthians 8:7); (4) such "liberty" was a stumblingblock to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9); (5) sitting down in an idol's temple encouraged idol worship (1 Corinthians 8:10); (6) through their conduct the weak perished (1 Corinthians 8:11); and (7) their actions were not merely sins against brethren but a "sin against Christ" (1 Corinthians 8:12). In this light, it is ridiculous to make 1 Corinthians 8 to be in any

1 Corinthians 7 overview — Corinthians 7:10-11). (4)    When one partner of a pagan couple becomes a Christian, the other refusing to do so, is such a marriage binding? Answer: Yes, except when the unbeliever deserts the Christian partner (1 Corinthians 7:12-16). A brief digression. At this point Paul, having given an exception in the matter of mixed marriages, allowing liberty in certain cases, interjected a comment on the general rule that becoming a Christian does not free any man from obligations already

James 5:3 — always in the last days (Acts 2:17; 1 John 2:18). The reference is to the last days before the Second Advent, of which the destruction of Jerusalem was a type. T. Carson, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 580. In the destruction of Jerusalem, the wealthy Sadduceans lost all of their wealth, and more than a million were ruthlessly murdered, fulfilling perfectly the promise of Jesus that "The king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed

1 Peter 1:4 — slavery; evil kings arose from themselves who oppressed and devoured the land; but the heavenly inheritance cannot be corrupted. There seems also to be in this word a remembrance of what Jesus said about moth and rust corrupting earthly wealth (Matthew 6:19 ff). Even the very best of earthly treasures are destined to failure and decay at last when not even the earth itself shall stand. And undefiled … The old Israel's inheritance (Canaan) had been indeed defiled. Again and again the people had

1 John 5:19 — disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). The god of this world (who) blinds the eyes of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4). Our adversary going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). (Wicked men) are held in the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26). We are not ignorant of (the devil's) wicked devices (Ephesians 6:11). Through his subtlety (Satan) seduced the mother of all living (Eve) (2 Corinthians 11:3). Christians are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of

Revelation 1:12-13 — with a golden girdle. I turned to see the voice … "As in Genesis 3:8, the voice is put for the speaker." A. Plummer, The Pulpit Commentary, Volume 22, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 6. One of the big things in Revelation is the voice so frequently mentioned. The voice from heaven is one of the principal focal points in the whole book. Seven golden candlesticks … Caird has a remarkably perceptive interpretation of this, thus: Once

Revelation 1:6 — 429. The teaching of the entire New Testament, however, makes it absolutely certain that Christians are now in Christ's kingdom (Colossians 1:13), the precise terminology of this verse being found in Paul's words there. This passage reflects Exodus 19:6, where it is revealed that God's purpose for Israel was that, "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests." 1 Peter 2:9 is also parallel to this. Therefore, our text means that, "Christ has made us a kingdom, each member of which is a priest

Revelation 1:7 — of every man's destiny, and bring the redeemed into their eternal habitations. It will occur at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ our Lord. Behold he cometh with the clouds … These words apply to the Second Advent, as in Matthew 24:30; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:9-11; and Mark 13:24. Every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him … There is no connection between this and the passage in Zechariah, except that the terminology is similar, the great difference being that in the Old Testament

Revelation 12 overview — Revelation 14) Here begins the second and final great division of Revelation. "In it we traverse the same ground once more." R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John's Revelation (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Publishing House, 1943), p. 361. Beginning with the Incarnation, we have the efforts of Satan to destroy Christ while he is on earth, and failing in this, to destroy the church, and failing in this, to wage war against the saints. The outline of the chapter is: The drama of the woman