Bible Commentaries

Job 17:6 — and I shall be Gehenna (גיהנם gayhı̂nnôm) to them.” The Hebrew word תפת tôpheth - or “Tophet,” is the name which is often given in the Scriptures to the valley of Hinnom - the place where children were sacrificed to Moloch; see the notes at Matthew 5:22. But there is no evidence or probability that the word was so used in the time of Job. It is never used in the Scriptures in the sense of a “tabret,” that is a tabor or small drum; though the word תף toph is thus used; see the notes at Isaiah 5:12.

Psalms 32:2 — were innocent. The sin will not be re-charged upon him, or reckoned to his account; but he is admitted to the same kind of treatment to which he would be entitled if he had always been perfectly holy. See Romans 1:17, note; Romans 3:24, note; Romans 4:5, note; Romans 5:1, note.And in whose spirit there is no guile - Who are sincere and true. That is, who are not hypocrites; who are conscious of no desire to cover up or to conceal their offences; who make a frank and full confession to God, imploring

Psalms 34:5 — burden is removed from the heart, and the countenance becomes radiant with hope and joy. The margin here, however, is, “They flowed unto him.” The Hebrew word, נהר nâhar, means sometimes “to flow, to flow together,” Isaiah 2:2; Jeremiah 31:12; Jeremiah 51:44; but it also means “to shine, to be bright;” and thence, “to be cheered, to rejoice,” Isaiah 60:5. This is probably the idea here, for this interpretation is better suited to the connection in which the word occurs.And their faces were not ashamed

Psalms 50:14 — lives corresponding with the idea intended by such sacrifices - lives full of penitence, gratitude, love, obedience, submission, devotion. This only could be acceptable worship. Compare the notes at Isaiah 1:11-17. See also Psalms 76:11; Ecclesiastes 5:5.

Psalms 55:13 — means properly a row or pile, as of the showbread piled one loaf on another, Exodus 40:23; then it would naturally mean one of the same row or pile; of the same rank or condition. The word also means price, estimation, or value, Job 28:13; Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 5:18; Leviticus 6:6. Here the expression may mean a man “according to my estimation, value, or price;” that is, of the same value as myself (Gesenius, Lexicon); or more probably it means a man of my own rank; according to my condition;

Psalms 56:2 — Hebrew word here used means properly to twist, to twist totogether; then, to be firm, hard, tough; then, “to press together,” as a rope that is twisted - and hence, the idea of oppressing, or pressing hard on one, as an enemy. See Psalms 27:11; Psalms 54:5. In the former verse the psalmist spoke of an enemy, or of “one” that would swallow him up (in the singular number), or of “man” as an enemy to him anywhere. Here he uses the plural number, implying that there were “many” who were enlisted against

Psalms 71 overview — This psalm is without a title, as is the case with the first, second, tenth, and some others. Of course it is impossible to determine on what occasion it was composed. There is some plausibility in the supposition that Psalms 70:1-5 might have been placed before it, or in connection with it, as a kind of introduction, or as indicating the character of the psalms among which it is found; but nothing of certainty can be ascertained on that point. It evidently belongs to the “class”

Psalms 9:12 — When he maketh inquisition for blood - When he “inquires” after blood; that is, when he comes forth with this view, to wit, for purposes of punishment. There is allusion here to such passages as that in Genesis 9:5, “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man.” The idea is, that when blood was shed in murder, God would seek out the murderer; he would require satisfaction of him who had

Psalms 95:6 — O come, let us worship and bow down - Let us worship him by bowing down; by prostrating ourselves before him. The word here rendered “come” is not the same which is used in Psalms 95:1. Its literal meaning is “come,” and it is an earnest exhortation to come and worship. It is not a particle merely calling attention to a subject, but it is an exhortation to approach - to enter - to engage in a thing. The word rendered “worship,”

Isaiah 1:14 — applied to those festivals, because they were fixed by law to certain periods of the year. This verse is a very impressive repetition of the former, as if the soul was full of the subject, and disposed to dwell upon it.My soul hateth - I hate. Psalms 11:5. The nouns נפשׁ nephesh, soul, and רוּח rûach, spirit, are often used to denote the person himself, and are to be construed as “I.” Thus, Isaiah 26:9 : ‘With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early;’

Isaiah 22:5 — which we know not what to do. We are embarrassed, and know not where to look for relief.By the Lord God of hosts - That is, he is the efficient cause of all this. It has come upon us under his providence, and by his direction (see the note at Isaiah 10:5).In the valley of vision - In Jerusalem (see the note at Isaiah 22:1).Breaking down the walls - There has been much variety in the interpretation of this place. The Septuagint renders it, ‘In the valley of Zion they wander, from the least to the greatest;

Isaiah 3:6 — seize upon anyone that they thought able to defend them. The act of “taking hold” here denotes “supplication” and “entreaty,” as when one in danger or distress clings to that which is near, or which may be likely to aid him; compare Isa 4:1; 1 Samuel 15:27,His brother - His kinsman, or one of the same tribe and family - claiming protection because they belonged to the same family.Of the house of his father - Descended from the same paternal ancestors as himself. Probably this refers to one of an ancient

Isaiah 33:9 — a wilderness - Sharon was the name of a district south of mount Carmel along the coast of the Mediterranean, extending to Cesarea and Joppa. The name was almost proverbial to express any place of extraordinary beauty and fertility (see 1 Chronicles 5:16; 1 Chronicles 27:29; Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 65:10). There was also another Sharon on the east side of the Jordan, and in the vicinity of Bashan, which was also a fertile region 1 Chronicles 5:16. To this, it is more probable that

Isaiah 4:3 — Exodus 32:32; Daniel 12:1; Ezekiel 13:9. The expression came also to denote all who were truly the friends of God; they whose names are written in “his” book - the book of life. In this sense it is used in the New Testament; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 17:5. In this sense it is understood in this place by the Chaldee Par.: ‘Every one shall be called holy who is written to eternal life; he shall see the consolation of Jerusalem.’ If the reference here is to the Messiah, then the passage

Isaiah 48:8 — meaning is, ‘from the first, thine ear was not open to receive them’ (Lowth); that is, they were stupid, insensible, and uniformly prone to disregard the messages of God. To open the ear, denotes a prompt and ready attention to what God says (see Isaiah 50:5), and to close the ear denotes an unwillingness to listen to what is spoken by him.For I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously - I knew that, as a people, you are characteristically false and perfidious. This does not refer to their conduct

Isaiah 50:1 — divorcio de su madre? - Dios aquí habla de sí mismo como el esposo de su pueblo, como si se hubiera casado con la iglesia consigo mismo, denotando el tierno afecto que sentía por su pueblo. Esta figura se usa con frecuencia en la Biblia. Así en Isaías 62:5: ‘Como el novio se regocija por la novia, así se alegrará tu Dios por ti;’ ‘Porque tu Hacedor es tu esposo’ Isaías 54:5; ‘Voltea, oh hijos rebeldes, dice el Señor, porque estoy casado contigo Jeremias 3:14. Por lo tanto, en Apocalipsis 21:9, la iglesia

Isaiah 60 overview — and behold the multitudes that were flocking to her Isaiah 60:4. 3. Specifications of those who would come and participate in the benefits of the reign of the Messiah. (1) The abundance of the sea would come. (2) The wealth of the Gentiles Isaiah 60:5. (3) The camels and dromedaries from Midian, Ephah, and all they who resided in Sheba would come with their gold and incense Isaiah 60:6. (4) The flocks of Kedar, and the rams of Nebaioth would be offered Isaiah 60:7. (5) The multitude would be so great

1 Corinthians 5:4 — This is to be connected with the previous words, and means:(1) That they were to be assembled for the purpose of administering discipline; and,(2) That this was to be done in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus.And my spirit - 1 Corinthians 5:3. As if I were with you; that is, with my declared opinion; knowing what I would advise, were I one of you; or, I being virtually present with you by having delivered my opinion. It cannot mean that Paul’s soul would be really present with them, but

1 Corinthians 5:4 — Esto debe estar conectado con las palabras anteriores, y significa: (1) Que debían ensamblarse con el propósito de administrar disciplina; y, (2) Que esto debía hacerse en el nombre y por la autoridad del Señor Jesús. Y mi espíritu - 1 Corintios 5:3. Como si estuviera contigo; es decir, con mi opinión declarada; sabiendo lo que aconsejaría, si fuera uno de ustedes; o, estoy prácticamente presente con usted al haberle dado mi opinión. No puede significar que el alma de Paul estaría realmente presente

Galatians 6:1 — deliberately forms the plan of sinning; he does not suppose that such a man could be a Christian, and that it would be proper to speak of restoring such a man.Ye which are spiritual - Who are under the influences of the Holy Spirit; see the note at Galatians 5:22-23. The apostle, in this verse, refers evidently to those who have fallen into some sensual indulgence Galatians 5:19-21, and says that they who have escaped these temptations, and who are under the influences of the Spirit, should recover such persons.