Bible Commentaries

Genesis 3:1-24 — was associated with the powers of darkness. In Babylonian belief Tiamat, the power of darkness and chaos, and the opponent of the god of light, was represented as a gigantic dragon, also known as Rahab and Leviathan (Job 9:13; RV Job 26:12; RV Psalms 74:13-14; Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 27:1; Amos 9:3); while to the Persians the serpent was the emblem of AngraMainyu, the hostile god. In later times, when the power of evil was more definitely personified by the Israelites as Satan, the serpent remained as

2 Kings 13:1-25 — Reigns of Jehoahaz and Joash of Israel. The last Prediction of Elisha 3. All their days] RV ’continually,’ i.e. throughout the reign of Jehoahaz. 5 A saviour] either Jehoash (2 Kings 13:25) or Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25-27) is meant. In their tents] i.e. in their homes, the phrase being a survival from earlier times when the Israelites were a body of nomads roaming the desert. 6. The grove] RV ’the Asherah’: see on 1 Kings 14:15. If Jehu had altogether abolished

2 Chronicles 36:1-23 — 24:15), is doubtless correct. 10. His brother] In reality Zedekiah was brother to Jehoiachin’s father Jehoiakim, 1 Chronicles 3:15. 12. Jeremiah the prophet] For Zedekiah’s disregard of Jeremiah’s warnings see Jeremiah 34:8.; Jeremiah 37:2; Jeremiah 38:17. Contrast the attitude of Ahab towards Elijah, as described in 1 Kings 21:27-29. 13. Made him swear] Ezekiel refers to this in 2 Chronicles 17:13. 14. Moreover, etc.] In 2 Chronicles 36:14-16 the writer briefly explains the causes

Nehemiah 8:1-18 — Jerusalem some fourteen years before. 2. The first day of the seventh month] This was one of the festivals (cp. Nehemiah 8:9) of the New Moon, termed in the Law the Feast of Trumpets, and kept with special rites: Leviticus 23:24-25; Numbers 29:1-6. 7. And the Levites] omit and. 8. Gave the sense] i.e. with such additional explanation as was required for the people to understand what was read. 9. The Tirshatha] i.e. governor. The same title was borne by Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:63). All the people wept]

Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 — by competition, but then what man has gained by toil is marred by the hostility of the less fortunate. Vexation of spirit] see on Ecclesiastes 1:14. 5. Even the fool who idly runs through his substance is for the time better off, for he is at peace. 7-12. Two more ills of life are covetousness aria loneliness. 8. There is one alone] The avaricious has none to share his wealth or to succeed him; yet his toil is insatiable. 9-12. The advantages of companionship are shown by four illustrations, three

Isaiah 29:1-24 — This chapter and the three which follow and complete the section, evidently belong to the very eve of Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in701 b.c. 1-8. Jerusalem is besieged and at the last extremity, but the enemy shall be suddenly discomfited. 9-24. Judah’s infatuation at this crisis, contrasted with the very different and teachable spirit that shall mark its future. 1. RV ’Ho

Isaiah 45:1-25 — The Meaning of the Conquests of Cyrus 1-13. The conquests of Cyrus are ordained by Jehovah for His purposes. Let not Israel Criticise the manner of its deliverance. 14-17. Great honour awaits Israel. 18-25. All the world shall recognise Jehovah’s righteousness and power. 1. His anointed] as being consecrated to carry out the purposes of Jehovah, i.e. to release Israel from Babylon. This is the only place where

Ezekiel 16:1-34 — Ritual del Día de la Expiación (Ver también Levítico 23:26 ; Números 29:7 ; Éxodo 30:10 .) Este solemne ceremonial tenía lugar una vez al año el décimo día del séptimo mes ( Tishri= Septiembre). Fue promulgada por el sumo sacerdote solo, pero toda la nación indicó su interés y participación en ella, descansando de todo tipo

Numbers 15:1-41 — offerings here referred to are those presented along with other sacrifices (see on the Meal Offering, Leviticus 2), and an enactment is made regulating the proportion of meal, oil, and wine to be used along with a lamb (Numbers 15:4-5), a ram (Numbers 15:6-7), and a bullock (Numbers 15:8-10) respectively. These laws seem to have been given at Kadesh during the long sojourn there. 4. Tenth deal] i.e. the tenth part of an ephah, which is about a bushel. A hin is about a gallon and a half: see Exodus 16:16;

Zechariah 2:1-13 — round a desert caravan when camping at night, to scare away wild beasts: cp. 1 Samuel 25:16. 6-13. This section forms a poetical prophecy, addressed to the Jews still remaining in Babylon. 6. Land of the north] Babylon. Spread] scattered in exile. 7. Deliver thyself, O Zion] better, ’Ho, escape to Zion.’ 8. After the glory] better, ’after glory,’ i.e. to win glory, by bringing judgment on the Babylonians who spoiled Israel. Me] the angel is still speaking. Apple of his eye]

Deuteronomy 18:1-22 — spirits, or a wizard] lit. ’one who consults a ghost or familiar spirit,’ probably a ventriloquist who professes to hold communication with subterranean spirits. Necromancer] one who inquires of the dead: cp. Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:27. 15. This is closely connected with what precedes. Israel has no need to employ such arts of divination as other nations use. Jehovah Himself will communicate His will to them through the prophets whom He raises up and instructs. See Isaiah 8:19. The

Deuteronomy 22:1-30 — contravenes the law of God: cp. the principle laid down by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:3-16. Immodesty leads to immorality. There may be an allusion here to the unchaste practices connected with certain idolatrous rites in which the sexes exchanged dress. 6, 7. To take the old bird as well as the young would be wanton cruelty. Kindness to animals is part of the law of God: see on Exodus 23:4-5, Exodus 23:21; Leviticus 22:28. It is to be observed that the same reward is attached to this commandment as to some

Luke 15:1-32 — Parables of the Lost Sheep, of them Lost Coin, of the Prodigal Son 1-7. Parable of the Lost Sheep. See on Matthew 18:12-13. The first of a series of three parables for the encouragement of penitents. It shows the love of our Saviour for the outcast, the despised, and the criminal classes generally. It rebukes the Pharisees,

Acts 13:1-52 — St. Paul as a Missionary 1. Prophets] see on Acts 11:27. Simeon that was called Niger] Niger was a Roman cognomen. Lucius of Cyrene] doubtless one of those Cyrenians who first preached at Antioch (Acts 11:20). Manaen] the OT. form is ’Menahem.’ Which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch]

2 Corinthians 11:1-33 — Eve.’ 1. In my folly] Spoken in irony. They bear with others; why not with him? Possibly they had spoken of his words when with them as folly. 2. Godly jealousy] lit. ’the jealousy of God.’ I have espoused you] cp. Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 John 1:1, 2 John 1:13; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 22:17. 3. The simplicity that is in Christ] i.e. the pure gospel that salvation is by faith in Christ alone. 4-6. Paraphrase. ’And my fear is not without reason, for you are

Galatians 1:1-24 — gospel; all rival teachings, whether proclaimed by man or angel, are false. Hence the Apostle’s boldness and confidence. Paraphrase. ’(6) I am surprised that you should so soon have deserted the truth which I taught you for a spurious gospel. (7) This perversion is due to false teachers. (8, 9) But if we Apostles even—yes, if an angel from heaven—should proclaim any teaching contrary to the doctrine of salvation by grace and faith, I pronounce a curse upon him. (10) I make this

Colossians 3:1-25 — conversion. 5-16. The moral life of the Christian. Paraphrase. ’(5, 6) Since you died and rose with Christ and your life is hidden with Him in God, realise these experiences already ideally yours in putting your sins to death, impurity and covetousness, (7) those heathen vices which draw down God’s wrath, which you also once practised. (8) Put away anger, malice, abusive speech, (9) lying, for the old self has been discarded, (10) and the new self has been put on, which is being renewed with a view

Jude 1:1 — . Jueces 1:1 ; Jueces 1:2 . Saludo. II. Jueces 1:3 . Los impíos. ( a ) 3, 4, "Le escribía una carta pastoral cuando la noticia de que ciertos hombres impíos se habían infiltrado me obligó a dirigirme a usted con una advertencia especial". ( b ) 5-7. Quisiera recordarles, aunque como cristianos ya saben todo lo que puedo decirles, que los ejemplos de Israel y de los ángeles prueban que es posible apartarse de la gracia y que un castigo, cuyo castigo es la destrucción de las ciudades. de la llanura

Revelation 18:1-24 — of Babylon In the last c., the fall of Rome, and the manner of its fall, were prophetically announced. In this c., the greatness of the tragedy is shown by songs of thanksgiving and of lamentation which it calls forth. As was suggested on Revelation 17, we may believe that the songs of the joy of angels over sinners that repent have taken the place of these songs. Yet they serve their purpose in encouraging God’s people to faith and endurance when at any time wickedness and worldliness seem

1 Samuel 18:1-30 — The Love of Jonathan for David 1 Samuel 18:6-30 of this chapter seem to be connected with 1 Samuel 16:14-23 and not to be taken from the same document as 1 Samuel 17:1 to 1 Samuel 18:5. LXX omits a large part of this section and only retains 1 Samuel 18:6-8; 1 Samuel 12; 1 Samuel 13-16, 20-21; 1 Samuel 22-26; 1 Samuel 27-29 a. In this case the LXX text gives an easy and straight forward account, and many suppose