Bible Commentaries

Genesis 15:18 — it would be possessed by his posterity. (2)    Even his seed would not possess the land until centuries should pass and the iniquity of the Amorite should have run its course and reached a fullness requiring their dispossession. (3)    All ten of the nations of Canaan (standing here as a figure for the totality of the Canaanites) would, in time, be destroyed and the land repopulated by Israel. (4)    In the 400 years preceding the ultimate

Genesis 26 overview — and demanded the truth as well as an explanation from Isaac. Apparently, at the same time he also ordered Isaac out of the vicinity of Gerar (Genesis 26:27), and gave strict laws against anyone's molesting either Rebekah or Isaac (Genesis 26:6-11). (3)    Isaac then, at some distance from Abimelech's capital, engaged in agriculture, reaping harvests of a hundred fold, and being prospered exceedingly. Again, Abimelech ordered him to move; and Isaac moved further down the valley

Genesis 45:9-11 — of his brothers. Goshen was a district of "some 900 square miles,"Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976), p. 622. about the size of the average county in west Texas, like Callahan or Taylor, each comprising an area 30 miles by 30 miles in size. Willis has information regarding the area: "Goshen is that region of northeastern Egypt between Port Said and Suez known in modern times as the Wadi Tumilat. It is called `the land of Rameses' (Genesis 47:11), possibly because

Exodus 4:18 — rendered father-in-law actually means any close kin by marriage; and brother-in-law would probably be a better rendition here. It is possible that Reuel was deceased and that his son Jethro had succeeded him as tribal leader. (See more on this under Exodus 3:1, above.) "Through marriage to Zipporah, Moses had become a member of her clan, of which Jethro was head. Tribal law in such a case required permission to leave."Merrill F. Unger, Unger' s Commentary on the Old Testament, Vol. 1 (Chicago: Moody Press,

Exodus 4:22-23 — later, in this study, we shall point out the extensive parallels between them. All of the marvelous experiences of Israel throughout the Book of Exodus "have counterparts in the experience of `the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ' (Galatians 3:26)."J. Orr, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 1, Exodus (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 106. "I will slay thy son, thy first-born" Visible here is the final and most devastating of the plagues visited upon Egypt After such a

Job 20 overview — description of what always, invariably, and without exception happened! (2) Zophar's description was purely materialistic. This earthly life, to Zophar, was all there is. There was no understanding or allowance whatever for ultimate rewards or punishments. (3) To Zophar, no wicked man had any hope whatever. He had no conception whatever of the universal wickedness of mankind; and to him, the righteous were the wealthy and prosperous people, and the wicked were those in poverty or suffering. (4) Many of his

Job 32 overview — Book of Job at this spot; and, of course, many modern scholars explain Elihu's speech variously as, "the work of another author,"Selms, p. 119. "a later addition,"Arthur S. Peake, A Commentary on the Bible (London: T. C. and E. C. Jack, Ltd., 1924), p. 361. and as, "speeches (of Elihu) that violently disturb the original structure of the book."The New Layman's Bible Commentary, p. 582. This writer is unwilling to accept such interpretations of the speeches of Elihu (Job 32-37) for the following reasons. (1)    The

Psalms 103 overview — was the author. However, nothing in the psalm or anywhere else enables us to determine the precise occasion on which it was written."Barnes' Notes on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, a 1987 reprint of the 1878 edition), Vol. III, p. 73. This is a perfect psalm, suitable to all times and situations. Christians more frequently turn to this psalm than to any other. Its terminology has entered into the speech of all generations. This writer remembers from the prayers of his grandfather

Leviticus 21 overview — nature" of this chapter, relating it to their impossible theories about "many sources" for the Pentateuch. Dummelow, for example, summarized these: (1) interchange of the singular and plural pronouns; (2) interchange of the second and third persons; (3) the use of various headings; and (4) the use of two titles for the priests, namely, "sons of Aaron," and "seed of Aaron."J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 97. All such variations are characteristic

Malachi 1 overview — repentant people, but that of the same old Israel that had gone into captivity. God simply would not renew their status as of old. "No king, no prince, no sacrifice, etc." That condition would be substituted for the old and lost intimacy. (See Hosea 3:4.) The chapter continues with a stinging indictment of the whole people, especially their reprobate priesthood (Malachi 1:6-14).

Luke 6 overview — Luke's account in this chapter reveals: (1) how Jesus refuted the false charge of sabbath-breaking (Luke 6:1-5); (2) that he angered the Pharisees by healing a man with the withered hand on the sabbath day (Luke 6:6-11); (3) Jesus' appointment of the apostles after a night of prayer (Luke 6:12-19); and gives (4) the content of one of Jesus' sermons (Luke 6:20-49). Luke 6:1 REFUTING THE FALSE CHARGE OF SABBATH BREAKING Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going

Acts 7 overview — thing they objected to was his application of it! STEPHEN'S ADDRESS The name "Stephen" means "wreath" or "crown," Herbert Lockyer, All the Men of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958), p. 321. and it is appropriate that the first to win the martyr's crown should have worn such a name. It is said of Stephen in the New Testament that he was a man: Full of faith (Acts 6:5). Full of grace (Acts 6:8, English Revised Version). Full of power

2 Peter 1:18 — "holy" was not in any sense a "late view," being far older than any of the gospel writers, and even older than the New Testament itself. The Old Testament reveals that any place where God manifested himself was "holy." See Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15, Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 19:12; Acts 7:33, etc. Any Jew speaking of such a place as the mountain of transfiguration would naturally have referred to it as "holy." Where, precisely, was the mountain here designated as "holy?"

Revelation 13:6 — the same as speaking against God. And his tabernacle … "Christians are themselves God's tabernacle, because he is in the midst of them (Revelation 21:9)." J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 1083. Speaking against Christians is a primary activity of the "beast." The guilt of his doing so is no less than that of speaking against God himself. In fact, the great campaign against God is focused in the attack upon Christians.

Revelation 17:1 — judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters … But was she not seated upon a beast? Yes, but both she and the beast rise from the teeming populations of the earth. Harlot … "In Isaiah 1:21, Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 2:31, etc., these terms are used to describe God's apostate people, those once joined to him in covenant relationship, but who had broken their marriage vow of faithfulness." Ibid. "In the Old Testament, this imagery is commonly used to denote

Revelation 18:10 — have one utility; they show that, "God looks upon worldly wickedness at any time according to the same principles with which he regarded Babylon and Tyre of old." J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 1087. Regarding the terrible judgments here predicted, Eller commented that, "In spite of the propriety of evil's collapse, the event itself nevertheless carries overtones of tragedy." Vernard Eller, The Most Revealing Book of the Bible

Revelation 2:13 — Repeatedly, this affirmation of the omniscience of the Master emphasizes the truth that all things are open and naked to the eyes of the Lord. Where Satan's throne is … See under preceding verse. Holdest fast my name … See under Revelation 2:3. And didst not deny my faith … The usage of "faith" in this verse is significant, standing, as it so frequently does in the New Testament, for the Christian religion. Even in the days of Antipas … who was killed … Nothing

Revelation 21:8 — Westminster Press, 1976), p. 206. And unbelieving … Unbelief is a gross, unpardonable sin, unless repented of. Unbelief is never a consequence of knowledge, education, intelligence, or "honesty." It is always a child of wickedness. See John 3:19, also article on "The Marvel of Unbelief," my Commentary on John, pp. 176-177, also in my Commentary on Matthew, pp. 207-209. And abominable … This is probably a reference, primarily, to participants in the rites of paganism and

Revelation 3:3 — shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Earle, in this and the preceding verse, found five steps to a revival: (1) "Be watchful"; (2) "Strengthen the things which remain"; (3) "Remember"; (4) "Hold fast"; and (5) "Repent." Ralph Earle, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. 10 (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1967), p. 515. Remember … "Memory is again the lever for repentance, as in Revelation

2 Samuel 10 overview — and his murder of her husband Uriah before the walls of Rabbah. "The campaign against Rabbah not only gave David his opportunity for his adultery but provided the means by which he accomplished the death of Uriah."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 306. Keil elaborated the same opinion more fully: "The successes of all David's undertakings, and the strength of his government, which increased year by year, had made him feel so secure, that in the excitement of undisturbed prosperity, he allowed himself