Bible Commentaries

Esther 7:1-10 — The Execution of Haman 4. We are sold] an allusion to Haman’s tender of 10,000 talents (Esther 3:9). Although the enemy, etc.] The rendering is uncertain; RV ’although the adversary could not have compensated for the king’s damage’ (which would have resulted from the loss of so many of his subjects); RM

Job 14:1-22 — Job’s Third Speech (concluded) 1-6. Job pleads for God’s forbearance on the grounds of man’s shortness of life and sinful nature. 1, 2. The well-known Sentence in the Burial Service. 3. Open thine eyes] i.e. watch so vigilantly: cp. Job 14:16, Job 14:17. 4. Job pleads

Job 31:1-40 — blameless family life, consideration for the poor and weak, charity, modesty, and generosity concerning wealth, pure religion (according to his creed), the absence of vindictive feelings, hospitality to strangers, fearless honesty and just dealings. 1-12. Sensual sins. 1. I made a covenant with mine eyes] Job resolved to keep a guard over them that they should not transgress. Why then should I think?] RV ’How then should I look?’ 2a. RM ’What portion should I have of God? ’i.e.

Psalms 103:1-22 — In this Ps. the hope of the previous one has been fulfilled, and sorrow has given place to thanksgiving. Its probable date is soon after the return from exile. The Psalmist utters his personal gratitude and praise (Psalms 103:1-5), and tells how God has shown to Israel in his own day the same power and grace which He showed in the days of Moses (Psalms 103:6-12). Special emphasis is laid on God’s fatherly pity for His people in their frailty, and on the eternity

Psalms 115:1-18 — In LXX 114, 115 are one Ps., while 116 is divided into two. Apparently Psalms 115 was written to be sung antiphonally: cp. the responses in Psalms 115:9-10, Psalms 115:11—the first eight and the last three verses to be sung by the congregation. Probably

Psalms 126:1-6 — A song of those who have been redeemed (from exile), and a hopeful prayer for those who have not yet returned. 1. Turned again the captivity of Zion] either, brought back the exiles who returned to Zion, or, turned again the fortunes of Zion, i.e. perhaps, set her free from foreign yoke. 4. Turn again our captivity] perhaps, ’bring back the exiles.’

Psalms 53:1-6 — This is a second version of Psalms 14 with the important difference that God (Elohim) is everywhere substituted for the Lord (Jehovah). There are a few other variations and additions, especially in Psalms 53:5 (= Psalms 14:5-6). The changes are interesting chiefly as an illustration of

Jeremiah 44:1-30 — Jeremiah’s Latest Prophecy (after 586 b.c.). (The prophecies against the Gentile nations (Jeremiah 46-51) were mostly uttered after the battle of Carchemish, 605 b.c.) He denounces the unabated idolatry which still characterised the people now that they dwelt in Egypt. Their experience of suffering had taught them nothing. 1-10. Jeremiah’s countrymen

Jeremiah 51:1-64 — 1-14. The end of Babylon arrives. 1. See on Jeremiah 25:26. 1, 2. The imagery is of the wind scattering the chaff on the threshingfloor. The wind and the fanners are the Medes (Jeremiah 51:11). 3. Him that bendeth] i.e. his bow in defence of Babylon.

Ezekiel 10:1-22 — § 3. Una visión del pecado y la condenación de Jerusalén (Ezequiel 8-11) Fecha, agosto-septiembre, 591 a. C. Un año y dos meses después de su llamado a ser profeta, Ezequiel fue visitado en su casa por los ancianos de la colonia judía en Tel-abib, y en su presencia cayó en trance, durante el cual fue transportado en espíritu

Ezekiel 32:1-32 — longer to a young lion, but to a foul river monster, which will be caught, cast on the mountains, and devoured by birds and beasts of prey. At the monster’s end the lights of heaven will be darkened, and the nations will be dismayed (Ezekiel 32:1-10). The allegory is explained to mean the desolation of Egypt by the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 32:11-16). The second prophecy is a burial song over Pharaoh and his people (Ezekiel 32:17-32). They go down to the under-world, which is weirdly conceived

Matthew 13:1-58 — A Day of Parables 1-3a. Teaching by parables begun (Mark 4:1; Luke 8:4). This chapter introduces a new type of teaching, that by parables. St. Matthew gives us a group of seven, the first four of which (the Sower, the Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven) were addressed

Matthew 21:1-11 — Entrada solemne a Jerusalén ( Marco 11:1 ; Lucas 19:29 ; Juan 12:12). Más de un tercio de toda la narrativa del Evangelio está ocupada con la última semana de la vida de Cristo, comúnmente llamada Semana Santa. La causa de esto debe buscarse, en parte en la especial importancia que la

Matthew 27:31-34 — Es llevado a la Cruz ( Marco 15:20 ; Lucas 23:26 ; Juan 19:16). La cruz fue considerada como la forma de castigo más horrible y degradante, apta solo para esclavos. “Es un ultraje para un ciudadano romano estar atado; un crimen para él ser azotado. Es casi un parricidio hacer que

Deuteronomy 21:1-23 — Expiation of Undetected Homicide. Marriage of Captive Women. Punishment of a Rebellious Son The last sub-section of the Second Discourse begins here, containing a variety of social and domestic regulations. 1-9. The Expiation of Undetected Homicide. The cases of accidental and open, wilful murder have been already provided for in Deuteronomy 19. This passage treats the case of undetected homicide. Murder pollutes the land and must be expiated. When the murderer

Mark 9:1-50 — The Transfiguration. An Epileptic Healed. Prediction of His Death 2-8. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28). See on Mt. 9-13. A question about Elijah. See on Matthew 17:9-13. 14-29. An epileptic healed (Matthew 17:14; Luke 9:37). See on Mt. 23. If thou canst believe] RV ’If thou canst! All things,’ etc. 29. By prayer and fasting]

Luke 10:1-42 — The Seventy. The Good Samaritan. Martha and Mary 1-16. Choice and mission of the Seventy (peculiar to Lk). Another step in the organisation of the Church. The Seventy receive a subordinate commission, similar to that of the apostles, to preach and to cast out devils (Luke 10:9, Luke 10:17). Two motives

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 — (b) Food offered to Idols (i) The Principle of Selfdenial Knowledge must be tempered by love. More enlightened Christians must respect the scruples of their weaker brethren in the matter of eating meat which had been offered to idols. 1-13. Paraphrase. ’Your next question relates to meat offered in sacrifice to idols, asking whether it is permissible for a Christian to partake of it. We all know, as you remark, that such food is absolutely harmless to a man’s spiritual

1 Peter 3:12 — En .. contra] RV 'sobre .. sobre.' El aspecto de Dios es el mismo para todos, es el hombre quien convierte la 'gracia' en 'ira': cp. Éxodo 14:24 . C (i) 1 Pedro 3:13 ; trata principalmente con la fe, (ii) 1 Pedro 4:1con conducta. Saca a relucir una doctrina cada vez más profunda a medida que avanza sobre el propósito y el significado del sufrimiento. ¿Quién te hará daño si eres celoso del

Ruth 3:1-18 — The Appeal to Boaz 1. Marriages are always arranged by the parents in Eastern lands; here, of course, the mother-in-law must intervene. 2-7. Grain is winnowed in the evening, to avoid the heat of the day and take advantage of the cool sea-wind, which blows in Palestine