Bible Commentaries

Exodus 12:37-42 — far, these places were. "Six hundred thousand ... men ..." The bold denial of this number by men who really know nothing about it is characteristic of some writings. "That such a figure has no basis in fact is clear from almost every point of view."[32] The author of that denial then went on to prove his point by asserting that: (1) such a large number could not have lived in Egypt; (2) they could not have survived in the desert, and (3) they could not have found enough room in Canaan! Millions

Exodus 28:1-5 — linen." This paragraph introduced a dramatic change into the religious economy of Israel. Until this point, Moses himself had acted in the capacity of a High Priest, actually sprinkling the blood upon the people in the ratification of the Covenant (Exodus 24:8). There had never been an established priesthood dedicated to the worship of Jehovah prior to the one commanded here. Job offered sacrifices for his family. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as countless others, as the first-born or heads of

Esther 1:1 — very first words in the the Hebrew text of the O.T. (the Hebrew) are "and it came to pass," which is made the occasion by Duff to declare that, "The book of Esther is a truncated narrative,"[1] but Keil pointed out that no such conclusion is justified.[2] Many of the Biblical books begin with the word and, indicating their connection with the rest of the canonical books of the Bible. "Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First Samuel, Second Samuel, Ezekiel, and Jonah all begin with the word `and'."[3] What is

Job 30:1 — in Job 30:1,9,16 effectively accents the themes in which Job contrasts the bleak, turbulent present with the peaceful past. The king of counselors has become the byword of fools (Job 30:1-15). The friendly favor of God has `turned into cruelty."[2] This beautiful paragraph just quoted from Meredith G. Kline concludes with a sentence which we must reject, because God is not cruel, unmerciful, unfeeling or, in any manner whatever, disinterested in the trials and struggles of men. In the epilogue

Isaiah 61:1 — year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened upon him. And he began to say unto them, Today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:16-21). The quotation which Jesus read to the people that day is that of the first verse of this chapter, read apparently from the LXX, because the line about "recovering of sight to the blind" is from that version of the Old Testament, not from the ASV. Chapter

Ezekiel 14:12 — by which critics attempt to support this view are: (1) There are two spellings of Daniel, the one in Daniel's prophecy, and the one here in Ezekiel, namely, `Daniel' and `Dan'el.'" The Ezekiel spelling matches that in the Ras Shamra tablets.[15] (2) Only the ancient Dan'el is properly placed if this list of eminent persons is chronological. If the contemporary Daniel had been meant, he would have been listed last. (3) It is very improbable that Ezekiel would have listed a contemporary.[16] None

Zechariah 3:1 — 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

Deuteronomy 19:1 — There are three paragraphs in this chapter: Deuteronomy 19:1-13 deals with homicide and the provisions for cities of refuge; next is a very short paragraph of a single verse (Deuteronomy 19:14) regarding boundary markers; and Deuteronomy 19:15-21 are devoted to the subject of witnesses. "When Jehovah thy God shall cut off the nations, whose land Jehovah thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; thou shalt set apart three cities for thee

Romans 8:37 — present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. All of the calamities mentioned here were suffered by Paul himself, as a glance at 2 Corinthians 11 will show; and, despite the fact of all things working together for good for Christians, the hardships and sufferings they endure prove that no exemption from life's sorrows has been provided for them. On the contrary, it was doubtless

Romans 8:37-38 — present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. All of the calamities mentioned here were suffered by Paul himself, as a glance at 2 Corinthians 11 will show; and, despite the fact of all things working together for good for Christians, the hardships and sufferings they endure prove that no exemption from life’s sorrows has been provided for them. On the contrary, it was doubtless

2 Corinthians 11:32 — rapture narrative at the end of it. Hughes commented on this as follows: Paul's rapture into the third heaven is hemmed in, as it were, on one side by the escape from Damascus, and on the other by the humiliating record of the "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7ff) ... Paul was determined to keep himself in true perspective, that of a weak, unworthy mortal who owes everything to the grace of Almighty God.[54] In this connection, it should be remembered that the chapter division here

2 Corinthians 11:32-33 — narrative at the end of it. Hughes commented on this as follows: Paul’s rapture into the third heaven is hemmed in, as it were, on one side by the escape from Damascus, and on the other by the humiliating record of the "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7ff) … Paul was determined to keep himself in true perspective, that of a weak, unworthy mortal who owes everything to the grace of Almighty God.<footnote> Philip E. Hughes, op. cit., p. 422.</footnote> In this connection,

Joshua 12:1 — description of the Trans-Jordanian (eastward) conquests of Sihon and Og by Moses and Israel and the settlement of the two and one half tribes east of Jordan, as allowed by Moses. The author here evidently had two purposes in view by his placement of Joshua 12:1-6, as suggested by Woudstra, as follows: (1) "To draw a parallel between Moses and Joshua, and (2) to stress the unity of all Israel."[2] In the second division of this chapter (Joshua 12:7-24); (1) "The kings in Southern Canaan are listed first

Joshua 5:13-15 — worshipping him, coupled with the acceptance of that worship, proves the Divine nature of this Visitant. If this Holy One had been any created being, he would have forbidden Joshua to worship him, as did the angel for the apostle John (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). There are a number of these remarkable appearances in the O.T. Dummelow identified the Person here with "The Angel of Jehovah (Exodus 3:2)," adding that, "The Angel of Jehovah is not a created angel but Jehovah Himself in the act of self-manifestation."[27]

Colossians 3:1 — were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Seek ye the things that are above … As Neilson said, "If then ye were raised parallels if ye died with Christ in Colossians 2:22.<footnote> John B. Nielson, Colossians in Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. IX (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1965), p. 410.</footnote> Both of course, refer to Christian baptism. Macknight affirmed that the meaning here is, "Since

Hebrews 1:2 — The contrast in the manner of God’s speaking to the Hebrew prophets and in that "at the end of these days" is vivid indeed. Their revelation came piecemeal, here a little and there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10-13); the revelation for the new covenant was brought in one vast body of truth. The old system was communicated through many persons, the new through the Son alone; and a proper understanding of that epic truth will dispel forever any notion that

Jude 1:3 — plans, we are not told; but it may be surmised that news from churches in which he was vitally interested might have been the decisive factor. Beloved … The only other example of a New Testament book beginning with this particular word is 3 John 1:2. "As Jude’s subject was a very unpleasant one, he hastens to assure his readers of his affection for them, to prevent his strong language from offending them."<footnote>Alfred Plummer, op. cit., p. 508.</footnote> Exhorting

Jude 1:3 — are not told; but it may be surmised that news from churches in which he was vitally interested might have been the decisive factor. Beloved ... The only other example of a New Testament book beginning with this particular word is 3 John 1:1:2. "As Jude's subject was a very unpleasant one, he hastens to assure his readers of his affection for them, to prevent his strong language from offending them."[5] Exhorting you to contend earnestly ... There are very important deductions which are

Revelation 5:1 — REV:5 Without any doubt whatever, this chapter is a continuation of the throne of God scene in Revelation 4. The same throne, the same living creatures, the same angels, the same 24 elders, the same solemn worship, and the same Person upon the throne are present here that were seen in Revelation 4. The great new element that comes to light in this portion of the vision is that of the Lamb of God "in the midst of the throne"

1 Samuel 14:1 — and which led to a perpetual war with the Philistines all of Saul's life, ending finally in his death on Mount Gilboa. Philbeck enumerates Saul's sins as: "(1) Entering the battle of Michmash without awaiting divine counsel (1 Samuel 14:19); (2) invoking an egotistical and pagan curse which deprived his army of the necessary food to support their victorious pursuit of the Philistines; (3) causing his army, through fatigue and hunger, to eat meat improperly bled (a violation of God's law);