Bible Commentaries

Ecclesiastes 4:12 — prevail against = overpower. Hebrew. takaph, supposed to belong to later Hebrew, but it is found in Job 14:20 with Job 15:24 (the only three occurrences). See App-76 . a threefold cord. Compare Numbers 6:24-26 . Micah 6:8 . Titus 2:12 , Titus 2:13 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:3 with 1 Thessalonians 1:9 , 1 Thessalonians 1:10 .

Ecclesiastes 4:14 — out of prison, &c. Compare Joseph (Genesis 41:40 ); Daniel (Daniel 5:29 ; Daniel 6:1-3 ). born, &c. Compare Rehoboam, robbed by Shishak (1 Kings 14:25-28 ). poor = needy, in want. Hebrew. rush. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .Proverbs 6:16; Proverbs 6:16 vexation. The same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:17 ; Ecclesiastes 2:22 .

Isaiah 24:16 — the righteous = the righteous One (singular): i.e. the One referred to in Isaiah 24:15 ; or, the nation, as in Isaiah 26:2 . compare Acts 3:14 ; Acts 7:52 ; Acts 22:14 . I said = I had said: i. e the land. Figure of speech Prosopopaeia . My leanness, my leanness. Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for emphasis. treacherous dealers, &c. = traitors have betrayed.

Isaiah 35:5 — Then the eyes, &c. When Messiah came, these miracles (not miracles qua miracles) were the evidence that He had indeed come to save His People (Matthew 11:1-6 ), but they rejected Him. Hence, this with other similar prophecies are in abeyance. John had based his own claims on Isaiah 40:3 , while the Lord based His claims on Isaiah 35:5-6 .

Isaiah 42:1 — My Servant: i.e. Messiah. See note on Isaiah 37:35 . My soul = I Myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . delighteth = is well-pleased. put = bestowed. My spirit. Hebrew. ruach ( App-9 ). Here is the doctrine of the Trinity: (1) The Father, the speaker; (2) My "Servant", the Messiah, the Son; and (3) My Spirit. See note on "stretched out" in Isaiah 42:5 .

Isaiah 64:4 — since the beginning of the world = from of old. men have not heard. Quoted in 1 Corinthians 2:9 . Compare Psa 3:19 . nor. So, some codices, with two early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate. But others read "have not perceived". God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . hath prepared = could work, or will do. him that waiteth = the man who waited.

Jeremiah 39:3 — Sarsechim. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "Sar-sechim". It is the plural of the Akkadian Sar-sak = king ' s son. R ab-saris = chief of the chamberlains. Compare 2 Kings 18:17 . Daniel 1:3 , Daniel 1:7 . Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag = Nergal-sharezer, chief of the physicians (or magi). Only four names of persons in this verse, not six.

Jeremiah 43:10 — the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 7:3 . The longer title is used to show the solemnity of the utterance. Nebuchadrezzar . . . will set, &c. This was fulfilled to the letter. Josephus records it ( A n t . x. 9, 10), but Egyptian history is naturally silent. It took place five years after his destruction of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 6:18 — congregation = assembly (in its civil aspect). Hebrew. 'edah, a technical Pentateuchal word. First occurrence in Exodus 12:3 , Exodus 12:6 , Exodus 12:19 , Exodus 12:47 . Used technically of Israel, fifteen times in Exodus; twelve in Leviticus; eighty-three times in Numbers. Found in the prophets only here; Jeremiah 30:20 ; and Hosea 7:12 (reference to Pentateuch) App-92 .

Ezekiel 1:3 — the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . expressly = in very deed, or in reality. Ezekiel . See the Title. the priest : and called, as Jeremiah was, to the office of prophet as well, the hand. Fig, Anthropopatheia. App-6 . was = became. Compare Elijah (1 Kings 18:46 ); Elisha (2 Kings 3:15 ); Daniel (Daniel 10:10 , Daniel 10:18 ); and John (Revelation 1:17 ).

Ezekiel 12:13 — My net , &c.: i.e. the Chaldean army which overtook Zedekish. not see it. The Figure of speech Amphibologia, or AEnigma ( App-6 ), as in Jeremiah 34:3 . The explanation is given in 2 Kings 25:7 , and Jeremiah 39:7 ; Jer 39:52 , Jeremiah 39:11 . Zedekish was taken to Babylon, but he never saw it, though he died there,

Ezekiel 36:20 — they. Hebrew text reads "he", or "it". A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), and some codices, with Aramaic, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "they". profaned, &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:12 , &c.) App-92 . holy . See note on Exodus 3:5 . name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . they said to them: i.e. men said of Israel. gone = come.

Ezekiel 37:23 — idols = dirty gods. detestable = abominable. Referring to idolatry, and its accompaniments. transgressions = rebellions. Bob. pasha '. App-44 . dwellingplaces . Septuagint reads "lawlessnesses". Compare Jeremiah 2:19 ; Jeremiah 3:22 ; Jeremiah 5:6 . So Houbigant, Bishops Newcombe and Horsley, with Ginsburg. wherein = whereby. sinned. Hebrew. chata '. App-44 . My People = to Me a People. their God = to them a God. God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Ezekiel 37:24 — David My servant = Hebrew My servant David. Occurs five times (Ezekiel 34:23 , Ezekiel 34:24 ; Eze 37:24 . 1 Kings 11:32 ; 1 Kings 14:8 ). In Ezekiel 37:25 and 2 Samuel 3:18 tis (in Hebrew) "David My servant" (though the Authorized Version there renders it "My servant David"). shepherd = ruler. judgments . . . statutes. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

Ezekiel 43:8 — setting , &c. Compare Ezekiel 5:11 ; Ezekiel 8:3-16 ; Ezekiel 23:39 ; Ezekiel 44:7 . 2Ki 16:14 , 2 Kings 16:15 ; 2 Kings 21:4-7 ; 2 Kings 23:11 , 2Ki 23:12 ; 2 Chronicles 33:4 , 2 Chronicles 33:7 . by close by, alongside of. and the wall : or, "For [there was but a] wall". abominations = idolatries.

Hosea 2:20 — thou shalt know, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:7 , &c). This is the sign of Israel's blessing (Isaiah 11:9 ; Isaiah 54:13 .Jeremiah 31:33 , Jeremiah 31:34 .John 6:45; John 6:45 ). Their evils came from not knowing (Isaiah 1:3 .Luke 19:42 , Luke 19:44 ). the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. (with ' eth) = Jehovah Himself. App-4 .

Hosea 4:2 — By swearing, &c. These are the evils which flow from a want of the knowledge of God. Compare Hosea 4:6 ; Hosea 2:20 . Rom 1:21 . 1 John 2:3 , 1Jn 2:4 ; 1 John 4:7 , 1 John 4:8 . blood toucheth blood: or, murder follows murder; "blood" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for bloodshed.

Nahum 1:3 — slow to anger = long-suffering. Reference to Pentateuch (Ex. Nah 34:6 , Nah 34:7 ). App-92 . Hebrew "Long of anger". The opposite of Proverbs 14:17 . Compare Jonah 4:2 . great . Compare Job 9:4 ; and see the Structure "-3-5", above. will not, &c . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:7 . Numbers 14:18 ). acquit = clear, or hold guiltless.

Habakkuk 2:14 — the earth shall be filled, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 14:21 ). App-92 . This is the fifth and last occurance of this wondrous prophecy: Numbers 14:21 .Psalms 72:19 . Isaiah 6:3 (= shall be); Hab 11:9 , and Habakkuk 2:14 . glory. Compare Isaiah 66:18 , Isaiah 66:19 . Ezekiel 28:22 ; Ezekiel 39:13 , Ezekiel 39:21 .

Zephaniah 2:8 — I have heard. Supply the logical Ellipsis ( App-6 ): "[My judgment shall come upon Moab], for I have heard", &c, as in Zephaniah 2:8 , &c. Moab. Compare Isaiah 1:0 5 and Isaiah 16:0 . Jeremiah 48:0 . Amos 2:1-3 . children = sons. Ammon. Compare Jeremiah 49:1-6 . Amos 1:13-15 . reproached. See Judges 11:12-28 .