Bible Commentaries

Ecclesiastes 1:13 — sovereign of many peoples whose religions diverged more or less remotely from the true religion, to address himself to a more extensive sphere than that which was occupied by the twelve tribes, and to adapt his language accordingly. See the Ecclesiastes 5:1 note.

Song of Solomon 1:2-4 — thine ointments good, making with the clause that follows two steps of a climax: “thy perfumes are good, thy name the best of all perfumes.” “Ointments” here are unguents or fragrant oils largely used for anointing at entertainments (compare Psalms 23:5; Luke 7:46; John 12:3).Thy name ... poured forth - As unguents are the sweeter for diffusion, so the king’s name the wider it is known.Song of Solomon 1:4The king hath brought me - Made me a member of his household. This is true of every member of the

Isaiah 22:17 — nearly the idea of the Hebrew word, which denotes the action of “casting away, or throwing” from one as a man throws a stone. See the same use of the word טול ṭûl in 1Sa 18:2; 1 Samuel 20:33; Jeremiah 17:13; Jeremiah 22:26, Jeremiah 22:28; Jonah 1:5, Jonah 1:12, Jonah 1:16. “And will surely cover thee.” ‘Thy face,’ says Lowth, for this was the condition of mourners. The Chaldee is, ‘Shall cover thee with confusion.’ So Vitringa, who supposes that it means that although Shebna was endeavoring to

Isaiah 27:10 — their deliverance. It is natural, therefore, that they should record the fact that the strong and mighty city where they had been so long in captivity, was now completely destroyed. For the meaning of thee phrase ‘defensed city,’ see the note at Isaiah 25:2.Shall be desolate - (see Isaiah 25:2; compare the notes at Isaiah 13:0)The habitation forsaken - The habitation here referred to is Babylon. It means the habitation or dwelling-place where “we” have so long dwelt as captives (compare Proverbs 3:33;

Isaiah 27:11 — withered stubble, straw, hay, dried roots, etc., wherever they can be found.And set them on fire - That is, to burn them for fuel.Of no understanding - Of no right views of God and his government - wicked, sinful Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 18:2; Jeremiah 5:21.

Isaiah 46:6 — silver so lavishly that they did not wait to count it, but weighed it as they would the grosser metals. The word used here and translated ‘balance’ (קנה qâneh), means properly “cane, reed, calamus”; then a measuring reed or rod Ezekiel 40:3, Ezekiel 40:5; then a rod, or beam of a balance, or scales (Greek ζυγὸς zugos).And hire a goldsmith - (See the notes at Isaiah 40:19-20).And he maketh it a god - The goldsmith manufactures the gold and the silver into an image. The object of the prophet is to deride

Isaiah 48:2 — For they call themselves of the holy city - Of Jerusalem (see Isaiah 52:1; Nehemiah 11:1; Matthew 4:5; Matthew 27:53; Revelation 21:2-27). The word rendered ‘for’ here, (כי kı̂y) means, as it often does, “although”; and the sense is, although they call themselves of the holy city, they do not worship God in sincerity and

Isaiah 54:16 — The idea is, that he produces an instrument as the result of his work.I have created the waster to destroy - I have formed every man who is engaged in spreading desolation by wars, and I have every such man under my control (see the notes at Isaiah 10:5-7; Isaiah 37:26-27; Isaiah 46:1-6). The sense here is, that as God had all such conquerors under his control, they could accomplish no more than he permitted them to do.

Isaiah 60:13 — The glory of Lebanon - The ‘glory of Lebanon,’ here means the trees that grew on Lebanon (see the notes at Isaiah 35:2).Shall come unto thee - That is, thy beauty and glory will be as great as if those valuable trees were brought and planted around the temple.The fir-tree - (See the notes at Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 55:13).The box - (See also the notes at Isaiah 41:19).To

Isaiah 9:21 — the description of the anarchy - introducing implacable animosity against another tribe, while they were contending among themselves. That such anarchies and factions existed, is apparent from all the history of the kingdom of Israel; compare 2 Kings 15:10 ff; 2 Kings 15:30. In this last passage, the death of Pekah is describer as having occurred in a conspiracy formed by Hoshea.For all this ... - see Isaiah 9:12, note Isaiah 5:25. This closes the third strophe or part of the prophecy under consideration.

Daniel 7:21 — prevailed against them - That is, he overcame and subdued them, he was stronger than they were, and they were not able to resist him. The same events are evidently referred to and in almost similar language - borrowed probably from Daniel - in Revelation 13:5-7 : “And there was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell

Daniel 8:24 — he deserved to be numbered among the mighty kings of the earth.But not by his own power - That is, it shall not be by any strength of his own, but by the power which God gives him. This is true of all kings and princes (compare John 19:11; Isaiah 10:5, following), but it seems to be referred to here particularly to show that the calamities which he was about to bring upon the Hebrew people were by Divine direction and appointment. This great power was given him in order that he might be an instrument

Amos 4:9 — Solomon 4:13-14; Song of Solomon 6:11, herb Deuteronomy 11:10; Song of Solomon 4:14; Song of Solomon 6:2, and flower garden. It comprised what was necessary for use as well as what was fragrant. It furnished part of their support Amos 9:14; Jeremiah 29:5, Jeremiah 29:28. Its trees Ecclesiastes 2:6, as well as the garden (Song of Solomon 4:15; Ecclus. 24:30) generally, being mostly watered artificially, it was beyond the reach of ordinary drought. The tree, “planted by the channels of waters” (Psalms

Matthew 14:25 — first commenced at six and continued until nine; the second from nine to twelve; the third from twelve to three; and the fourth from three to six. The first was called evening; the second midnight; the third cock-crowing; the fourth morning, Mark 13:35. It is probable that the term watch was given to each of these divisions from the practice of placing sentinels around the camp in time of war, or in cities, to watch or guard the camp or city; and that they were at first relieved three times in the

Matthew 17:3 — done away. Elias, or Elijah, a distinguished prophet, taken to heaven without seeing death. See 2 Kings 2:11. Elijah had been honored eminently by being thus translated, and still more by being made the model of the forerunner of the Messiah, Malachi 4:5; Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:14. They appeared “in glory” Luke 9:31; i. e., as they are in heaven with the glory which the redeemed have there.Talking with him - Luke Luke 9:31 informs us that they conversed about “his decease which he should accomplish at

Matthew 18:17 — disciplining an offending brother.But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be ... - The Jews gave the name “heathen” or “Gentile” to all other nations but themselves. With them they had no religious contact or communion.Publican - See the notes at Matthew 5:47. Publicans were people of abandoned character, and the Jews would have no contact with them. The meaning of this is, cease to have religious contact with him, or to acknowledge him as a Christian brother. It does not mean that we should cease to

Matthew 6:1 — their praise. To a person who is disposed to do good from a right motive, it matters little whether it be in public or in private. The only thing that renders it even desirable that our good deeds should be seen is that God may be glorified. See Matthew 5:16.Otherwise - If your only motive for doing it is to be seen by people, God will not reward you. Take heed, therefore, that you do not do it to be seen, “otherwise” God will not reward you.

Luke 1:45 — Virgin Mary and to offer prayers to her - an act of worship as idolatrous as any that could be offered to a creature. Because:It is not anywhere commanded in the Bible. It is expressly forbidden to worship any being but God, Exodus 34:14; Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 6:13-14; Isaiah 45:20. It is idolatry to worship or pray to a creature. It is absurd to suppose that the Virgin Mary can be in all places at the same time to hear the prayers of thousands at once, or to aid them. There is no idolatry more

Luke 14:34-35 — See the Matthew 5:13 note; Mark 9:49-50 notes.Salt is good - It is useful. It is good to preserve life and health, and to keep from putrefaction.His savour - Its saltness. It becomes tasteless or insipid.Be seasoned - Be salted again.Fit for the land - Rather, it is

John 6:46 — has seen the Father, it implies that he is more than man. He is the only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, John 1:18; the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, Hebrews 1:3; God over all, blessed forever, Romans 9:5. By his being of God is meant that he is the only-begotten Son of God, and sent as the Messiah into the world.Hath seen - Hath intimately known or perceived him. He knows his nature, character, plans. This is a claim to knowledge superior to what man