Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 21:27 — The repentance of Ahab resembles that of the Ninevites Jonah 3:5. It has the same outward signs - fasting and sackcloth - and it has much the same inward character. It springs, not from love, nor from hatred of sin, but from fear of the consequences of sin. It is thus, although sincere and real while it lasts, shallow

2 Kings 12:20 — rebuked them 2 Chronicles 24:18-27. The conspirators, who wished to avenge Zechariah, no doubt wished also to put down the Baal worship. In this it appears that they succeeded. For, though Amaziah punished the actual murderers after a while 2 Kings 14:5, yet he appears not to have been a Baal-worshipper. The only idolatries laid to his charge are the maintenance of the high places 2 Kings 14:4, and a worship of the gods of Edom 2 Chronicles 25:14-20.Silla - This place is quite unknown.

2 Kings 17:4 — Shebek he boasts to have received tribute from “the king of Shara” (Syria), which is probably his mode of noticing Hoshea’s application. References to the Egyptian proclivities of Hoshea are frequent in the prophet Hosea Hosea 7:11; Hosea 11:1, Hosea 11:5; Hosea 12:4. King Hoshea, simultaneously with his reception as a vassal by Sabaco, ceased to pay tribute to Shalmaneser, thus openly rebelling, and provoking the chastisement which followed.

2 Chronicles 2:7 — See 1 Kings 5:6, note; 1 Kings 7:13, note.Purple ... - “Purple, crimson, and blue,” would be needed for the hangings of the temple, which, in this respect, as in others, was conformed to the pattern of the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:4; Exodus 26:1, etc.). Hiram’s

Job 3:11 — pains were taken by his friends to keep him alive, and that he was not suffered peacefully to expire.Gave up the ghost - A phrase that is often used in the English version of the Bible to denote death; Genesis 49:33; Job 11:20; Job 14:10; Jeremiah 15:9; Matthew 27:50; Acts 5:10. It conveys an idea, however, which is not necessarily in the original, though the idea in itself is not incorrect. The idea conveyed by the phrase is that of yielding up the “spirit” or “soul,” while the sense of the original

Job 31:6 — found that I am guilty in this respect, I consent to be punished accordingly. Scales or balances are often used as emblematic of justice. Many suppose, however, that this verse is a parenthesis, and that the imprecation in Job 31:8, relates to Job 31:5, as well as to Job 31:7. But most probably the meaning is, that he consented to have his life tried in this respect in the most exact and rigid manner, and was willing to abide the result. A man may express such a consciousness of integrity in his dealings

Job 40:7 — Gird up thy loins now like a man - An expression taken from the ancient mode of dress. That was a loose, flowing robe, which was secured by a girdle when traveling, or when one entered upon anything requiring energy; see the notes at Matthew 5:38-41. The meaning here is, “Prepare thyself for the highest effort that can be made. Put forth all your strength, and explain to me what will now be said;” compare the notes at Isaiah 41:21.I will demand of thee - Hebrew “I will ask of thee.” That

Job 5:20 — attributed to the sword in the Scriptures, because it devours; “hands” are attributed to it here, because it is by the hand that we perform an undertaking, and the sword is personified, and represented as acting as a conscious agent; compare Ezekiel 35:5, margin. The meaning is that God would protect those who put their trust in him, in times of calamity and war. Doubtless Eliphaz had seen instances enough of this kind to lead him to this general conclusion, where the pious poor had been protected

Psalms 107:10 — at Luke 1:79; notes at Isaiah 9:2); or of affliction and trouble, as darkness is an emblem of calamity.And in the shadow of death - A dark, gloomy, chilly shade such as “Death” would cast if he stood between us and the light. See the notes at Job 3:5; compare Job 10:21; Psalms 23:4; Psalms 44:19; Isaiah 9:2. The reference is to the sad and gloomy residence of the Hebrews in the land of captivity.Being bound in affliction and iron - Captives and slaves. Compare Psalms 105:18.

Psalms 107:11 — Because they rebelled against the words of God - The commands of God. They did not keep his commandments. Their captivity was produced by national disobedience. See the notes at Daniel 9:5-8.And contemned the counsel - They despised the instructions of God. The law of God, at the same time that it “is” law, is of the nature of “counsel,” since it is indicative of what God regards as wise and good, and since it is the best “advice” that

Psalms 12:7 — “Thou shalt keep them That is, the persons referred to in Psalms 12:5 - the poor and the needy who were suffering from the wrongs inflicted on them. The idea is, that God would guard and defend them. They were safe in his hands. Compare Psalms 37:3-7.From this generation - This generation, or this race of detractors,

Psalms 38:2 — their “sticking fast” when in the wound or flesh; it is that they come down upon one, and pierce him. The meaning is, that he was afflicted “as if” God had wounded him with arrows - arrows which pierced deep in his flesh. Compare the notes at Psalms 45:5. The allusion is to the disease with which he was afflicted.And thy hand presseth me sore - The same word is used here which in the former part of the verse is rendered “stick fast.” The idea is, that the hand of God had “descended” or “come down”

Psalms 43:2 — cast me off as a loathsome or disgusting object?” Compare Revelation 3:16. The Hebrew word means properly to be foul, to be rancid, to stink: then, to be loathsome or abominable; and then, to treat or regard anything as such. Compare Hosea 8:3, Hosea 8:5; Isaiah 19:6.Why go I mourning ... - See the notes at Psalms 42:9. This expression, with others of a similar character, renders it morally certain that this psalm was composed by the same person, and with reference to the same circumstances, as the

Psalms 53:2 — Psalms 14:6. It is to be observed, also, that the word “Yahweh” does not occur in this psalm, but that the term used is uniformly. אלהים 'Elohiym, God. In Psalms 14:1-7 both terms are found - the word אלהים 'Elohiym three times Psalms 14:1-2, Psalms 14:5, and the word יהוה Yahweh four times, Psalms 14:2, Psalms 14:4,Psalms 14:6-7. It is impossible to account for this change. There is nothing in it, however, to indicate anything in regard to the authorship of the psalm or to the time when it was written,

Psalms 76:11 — vow, and pay unto the Lord your God - That is, Pay your vows, or sacredly observe them. On the word “vow,” see the notes at Psalms 22:25. Compare Psalms 50:14; Psalms 56:12; Psalms 66:13. The word refers to a voluntary promise made to God.Let all that be round about him - All that worship him, or that profess to honor him.Bring presents - Bring gifts or offerings; things expressive of

Psalms 76:12 — they are arrayed against him.(1) they are wholly under his control.(2) he can defeat their plans.(3) he can check them when he pleases.(4) he can, and will, make their plans - even their wrath - the means of promoting or carrying out his own purposes.(5) he will allow them to proceed no further in their plans of evil than he can make subservient to the furtherance of his own.(6) he can cut down the most mighty of them at his pleasure, and destroy them forever.

Psalms 76:3 — bow,” is literally, “the lightnings of the bow,” the word rendered “arrows” meaning properly “flame;” and then, “lightning.” The idea is, that the arrows sped from the bow with the rapidity of lightning.The shield - Used for defense in war. See Psalms 5:12; Psalms 33:20; compare the notes at Ephesians 6:16.And the sword - That is, he disarmed his enemies, or made them as powerless as if their swords were broken.And the battle - He broke the force of the battle; the strength of the armies drawn up for

Psalms 77:18 — The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven - Compare the notes at Psalms 29:1-11. The word rendered “heaven” here - גלגל galgal - means properly “a wheel,” as of a chariot, Isaiah 5:28; Ezekiel 10:2, Ezekiel 10:6; Ezekiel 23:24; Ezekiel 26:10. Then it means a “whirlwind,” as that which rolls along, Ezekiel 10:13. Then it is used to denote chaff or stubble, as driven along before a whirlwind, Psalms 83:13; Isaiah 17:13. It is never

Psalms 89:5 — things which will fill them with joy. The idea is, that the inhabitants of the heavens - the holy angels - would take a deep interest in the fulfillment of this promise, as it would furnish new manifestations of the character of God. Compare Revelation 5:11-14; 1 Peter 1:12.

Psalms 98:1 — Compare Psalms 33:3; Psalms 96:1. “For he hath done marvelous things.” Things suited to excite wonder, or to fill the mind with astonishment. See Psalms 77:14; Psalms 86:10.His right hand - The instrument by which we execute any purpose. Compare Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5.And his holy arm - The arm of his holiness; that is, his arm put forth in a righteous cause, or vindicating that which is right.Hath gotten him the victory - literally, “has worked salvation for him:” for himself, or in his own cause.