Bible Commentaries

Genesis 27:30 — would dwell far away from such blessings. One may have nothing but pity for the weeping Esau and the bitterness that filled his heart. Nothing breaks men's hearts like being compelled, at last, to accept the consequences of their actions. See Revelation 6:15-17. "This verse (Genesis 27:36) skillfully places the words for birthright and blessing side by side,"E. A. Speiser, op. cit., p. 210. showing with what diligence Esau had attempted to contrive a difference in the two in the mind of his father, in

Genesis 46 overview — Egypt, suggesting the fact that the Great Forerunner, even Jesus Christ our Lord, performs a similar, but far more glorious service for the Greater Israel of which the Old Israel was only a type. "Whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us" (Hebrews 6:20). These facts, not alleged multiple sources, are the burden of this chapter. Thoses alleged sources do not exist. This chapter (and all the Bible) was preserved by Almighty God and handed down through history, not the alleged "sources." The Bible

Genesis 46:1-4 — removing all doubt. "And God spake unto him" As far as the record goes, this was the last appearance of God to Jacob, there being eight appearances in all: (1) Genesis 28:13; (2) Genesis 31:3; (3) Genesis 31:11; (4) Genesis 32:1; (5) Genesis 32:30; (6) Genesis 35:1; (7) Genesis 35:9; (8) Genesis 46:2. It is of interest that the appearance of God to Jacob came not for the personal benefit of the patriarch but upon occasions pertinent to the welfare of the covenant nation. God did not appear to Jacob

Genesis 9:5-6 — beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." The change of person in Genesis 9:6 should not be disturbing, such is a phenomenon in the sacred writings found frequently in the Minor Prophets. Also the words, "In the image of God made he man," could be understood as an explanatory comment added by the inspired author of Genesis. This

Exodus 33 overview — final issue of whether or not the broken covenant would be renewed was at this point unresolved, and also, if to be renewed, under what conditions. God's threatened withdrawal of his sacred presence from the apostate nation is announced (Exodus 33:1-6), and it became clear at once that Israel would be required to demonstrate genuine repentance for their shameful rebellion in which the covenant had indeed been forfeited. Israel's line of communication with God had been broken. Plans for construction

Exodus 4:21 — judgmental action against the sinner, not upon some distant day of judgment, but in the sinner's lifetime. "God hardens his heart." Such sinners are penalized. "Their senseless hearts are darkened" (Romans 1:21). "God gives them up!" (Romans 1:24; Romans 1:26; Romans 1:28). This is called judicial hardening. (We have often addressed this problem in our series. See my commentary on Romans at Romans 1:28; Romans 1:32; Romans 11:7. Also see my comments at Genesis 6:5). 2.    In the case

Ezra 9 overview — is no doubt that if the practice of intermarriage had continued and extended, then the Jews would have lost their national identity; and it is of the greatest significance that the New Testament warns against marriages with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14)."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 403. In this connection, we must reject the liberal view that, "The Israelites did not originally condemn intermarriage."Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 465. Deuteronomy 7:3 specifically forbade intermarriage

Leviticus 12:6-8 — was!" That was the riches of Christ, all of which Jesus forsook to bring mankind "through his poverty" the eternal riches of life everlasting! Therefore, Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 8:9 takes its place along with Ephesians 4:9 and Philippians 2:6-9 as a member of that matchless triad of Great Parabolas reaching from infinity in the past to the brief earthly ministry of Christ, and then again reaching all the way to infinity in the future!

Deuteronomy 19:4-10 — "The appointment of the six was WHEN, but the appointment of the other three was IF; and the job apparently never got done!"Bruce Oberst, op. cit., p. 233. Deuteronomy 19:4-7 lays out instructions for the unintentional manslayer; and Deuteronomy 19:5-6 gives an example of what was meant by unintentional. Also, in Num. 35:26-24, there are other examples of inadvertent homicide.

Luke 7 overview — the publicans and harlots who accepted John's message (Luke 7:24-25); and then, he gave the explanation of how publicans and harlots were saved and the Pharisees were not, this explanation growing out of a dinner in the house of a Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50). THE HEALING OF THE CENTURION'S SERVANT In my Commentary on Matthew this miracle was referred to as being identical with the one in Matthew 8:5-13, this view being that of Lamar, Boles, McGarvey, and many others; and it is reaffirmed here that it

Joshua 24:29-33 — Ephraim. "Joshua…the servant of Jehovah" (Joshua 24:29). The title, "Servant of Jehovah" is used of Moses frequently in the Book of Joshua, as in Joshua 1:1-2; Joshua 1:13; Joshua 8:31; Joshua 8:33; Joshua 9:24; Joshua 11:12; Joshua 11:15; Joshua 12:6; Joshua 13:8; Joshua 14:7; Joshua 18:7; Joshua 22:2; Joshua 22:4-5. But this is the very first time the title is given to Joshua. Boling believed this was due to the tremendous importance of the covenant-relationship in which Joshua here stood in the

Joshua 8 overview — (1) Keil and other very dependable scholars affirm that a scribal error is responsible, and that the number 5,000 is correct.C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Joshua (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), p. 86 (footnote). It is evident that the expedient of finding a scribal error here does not solve the problem, for Cook asserted that, "The error would have been in writing 30,000 instead of 5,000,"F. C. Cook, Barnes' Notes, Joshua (Grand Rapids: Baker Book

Judges 1 overview — PREFACE (Judges 1:1 to Judges 3:6) THE FAILURE OF ISRAEL TO DRIVE OUT THE CANAANITES In describing the repeated apostasies and subsequent invasions and oppressions of Israel, it was necessary to establish the REASON why God allowed such treatment of the Chosen People. That reason, of

Judges 7:19-23 — Tabbath. And the men of Israel were gathered together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after Midian" "In the beginning of the middle watch" Ancient Israel divided the night into three watches of four hours each - 6 o'clock to 10 o'clock, etc. Therefore, the beginning of the middle watch would have been about 10:00 p.m., shortly after the changing of the guard. By far the greater portion of the Midianite host would have been sound asleep. "This old Jewish method

Revelation 2:5 — Lord admonished his human children to remember! "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1); "This do ye in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:25); "Remember how he spake unto you" (Luke 24:6); "Remember his holy covenant" (Luke 1:72); "Remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things" (Luke 16:25), etc. There are actually three "R's" in this passage: Remember … Repent … Reform. Repent

Revelation 22:13 — and the end. I am the Alpha and the Omega … These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet used idiomatically to express comprehensive completeness. In this prophecy it is found in Revelation 1:8; Revelation 1:10-11; Revelation 21:5-6; Revelation 22:13. We agree with Barclay that, "There is more than one idea here. There is the idea of completeness, of eternity and of authority. William Barclay, op. cit., p. 225. Actually, all three statements in this verse are parallel aspects

Ruth 2:8-13 — at the common drinking place. (5)    And he offered a special prayer for her that Jehovah would grant her a rich reward for what she had done to Naomi. To all of this, one must add the things mentioned in the following paragraph. (6)    He then invited her to eat with the other harvest workers. (7)    He took pains to give her a special portion of food, so large that she was able to take part of it to Naomi. (8)    Boaz

1 Samuel 26:6-12 — Samuel. Esau had Hittite wives, whose names are not given. Those people were one of the seven great nations displaced by Israel in their occupation of Canaan. "Abishai" along with Joab and Asahel were children of Zeruiah, who according to 1 Chronicles 2:16 was a sister of David. David, being the youngest in the family of Jesse probably had a number of cousins his own age or older. "Abishai saved David's life in one of the Philistine wars (2 Samuel 21:17), was implicated in the murder of Abner (2 Samuel

2 Samuel 1:17-27 — mountains of Gilboa" Here a curse is pronounced upon the mountains which were the scene of Saul's death. "This curse still seems to lie upon the mountains of Gilboa, for they are still naked and sterile."Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary, p. 196. "The bow of Jonathan turned not back" In this and the following verse, David praises the fallen warriors. With their weapons they took a great toll of the enemy; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. "Ye daughters of Israel, weep over

2 Samuel 6:12-15 — ritual. If he was dressed as the text seems to indicate, his indecent exposure was almost a certainty. "The scantiness of his dress was the grounds of Michal's contempt."International Critical Commentary, p. 295. "The word used for `dancing' in 2 Samuel 6:14 is found nowhere else in the Bible and seems to mean whirling like the devotional dancing of the dervishes."Ibid. This type of conduct was forbidden to the priests of God who were specifically commanded to wear "breeches" for the specific purpose