Bible Commentaries

Genesis 10:11 — Naphtuhim ] quizás N. del Bajo Egipto. Pathrusim ] S. o Alto Egipto. La cláusula "De dónde salieron los filisteos" (RV) debe colocarse después de Caphtorim, o pueblo de Creta, con quien se dice que los filisteos están relacionados en otra parte ( Jeremias 47:4 ; Amós 9:7 ). Se asentaron en el SW. costa de Canaán, y le dio el nombre de Palestina al país.

Genesis 39:1-23 — the House of Potiphar 5. Overseer] rather, ’house-steward.’ 6. Potiphar left everything under Joseph’s control except his own food. There may be here an allusion to the strict caste laws of Egypt: cp. Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34. 7. Joseph was yet but a youth, when temptations are strongest, and he was far removed from all the restraining influences of home. But He who was ’the fear of Isaac’ (Genesis 31:42) was ’the fear of Joseph ’also, and his resolute

Exodus 20:1-26 — Commandments (vv. 1-21) Exodus 20-23, containing (1) the Decalogue (Gk. = ’Ten Words’ or ’Commandments’) and (2) a code of laws regulating the religious and social life of the people, and called the Book of the Covenant (see Exodus 24:7), form perhaps the most important part of the Pentateuch. It is the nucleus of the entire Mosaic legislation, and in all probability existed for long as a separate document. 1-17. The Decalogue. In chapter Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13 this is called

Exodus 27:1-21 — aceite para las lámparas 1-8. Altar del holocausto. Este es un cofre hueco de madera de acacia recubierto de bronce, y está dentro del atrio, a medio camino entre la entrada exterior y la puerta del tabernáculo. 1. El tamaño aproximado del altar Isaías 7 ½ pies cuadrados y 4½ pies de alto: ver Éxodo 20:26 . Éxodo 20:26 . 2 Los cuernos ] La forma y el significado de estos cuernos son dudosos. Eran muy importantes y parecen haber sido considerados como la parte más sagrada del altar (cf. Amós 3:14

Psalms 106:1-48 — 105 gives thanks for God’s goodness, so Psalms 106 confesses Israel’s sin and acknowledges God’s mercy, both being illustrated in an historical retrospect from the deliverance from Egypt down to the return from captivity: cp. Psalms 78; Ezekiel 20. 1. See on Psalms 100:5. 7. Provoked him] RV ’were rebellious.’ So in Psalms 106:33, Psalms 106:43. 8. For his name’s sake] see Ezekiel 20:14. 26. Lifted up his hand] sware. To overthrow] RV ’that he would overthrow.’

Psalms 71:1-24 — This Ps. of prayer (Psalms 71:1-13) and praise (Psalms 71:14-24) was apparently written by an old man (Psalms 71:9, Psalms 71:18) and in the time of the exile. Some parts of it are undoubtedly national, but much of it expresses personal experience and desire and faith. It is largely

Psalms 85:1-13 — This Ps. looks back upon the mercy which God has shown to His people in bringing them back from captivity (Psalms 85:1-3), entreats Him to remove the displeasure that has again fallen on them, and to deliver them f6rom present troubles (Psalms 85:4-7), and ends with a hopeful picture of the blessings that will follow the answering of the prayer (Psalms 85:8-13). It evidently belongs to a time soon after the return from the Babylonian exile—either the days of discouragement before the building

Psalms 97:1-12 — This is another ’theocratic’ Ps., declaring how God has taken vengeance on His enemies in a way to which all nature responded (Psalms 97:2-6), denouncing idols and their worshippers (Psalms 97:7), expressing the joy of the cities of Israel at His judgments (Psalms 97:8-9), calling His people to hate evil (Psalms 97:10) and to share the gladness which ought to be their portion (Psalms

Isaiah 47:1-15 — accept no man,’ i.e. none shall be spared. 6. Babylon is to be thus punished because, when the Jewish exiles were in her power, she had treated them cruelly (Zechariah 1:15), and in her false security she acted as though irresponsible (Isaiah 47:7-8). Polluted] i.e. treated as common, RV ’profaned.’ 9. Perfection for] ’full measure in spite of.’ Sorceries] Babylon was renowned in the ancient world for astrology, and for the practice of all kinds of magic. 11. From whence

Isaiah 55:1-13 — i.e. David. People] RV ’peoples.’ David’s successes gave him a position which made his religion known in the world, and thus he witnessed for Jehovah. 5. Israel shall similarly so testify that the nations shall turn to Jehovah. 6, 7. The exhortation shows that the promises given are conditional. 8, 9. These vv. are especially addressed to those of the Israelites who were incredulous as to the possibility of restoration to their own land. 10, 11. As certainly as the elements fulfil

Hosea 6:1-11 — offerings and sacrifice, and nothing at all for religious observances that were insincere and corrupt: cp. Isaiah 1:13-15; 1 Samuel 15:22. Our Lord twice quotes the first clause in justification of doing good on the sabbath day: cp. Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7. 7. Like men] RV ’like Adam.’ In regarding mere sacrifice as a substitute for goodness which God had made the condition of His covenant they had broken it as much as Adam had done by his disobedience: cp. Genesis 2:16-17; Exodus 20:21 to

Numbers 9:1-23 — proper time, because of a ceremonial defilement (Numbers 9:6), are enjoined to observe a supplementary Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month (Numbers 9:9.) This was called ’The Little Passover.’ 13. Cutoff] see on Leviticus 7:21. 14. Stranger] one who is not a Hebrew by birth but has been admitted into the nation by circumcision, a proselyte; see Exodus 12:19, Exodus 12:48. 15-23. The cloudy pillar as a signal on the march. This passage is parallel to Exodus 40:34-38: see

Micah 4:1-15 — They may refuse it. But, if they obstinately oppose it, they shall be overthrown (Micah 4:11-13). For, since the truths Israel represents are divine in their origin, these must be a blessing or a curse, according as men accept or refuse them (Micah 5:7-9)

Matthew 15:1-39 — The Traditions of the Elders. The Canaanitish Woman. Feeding the Four Thousand 1-20. Unwashed hands and the traditions of the elders (Mark 7:1). In this important controversy Jesus defined His position, (1) towards rabbinical traditions about the Law; (2) towards the Law itself. The first part of our Lord’s discourse (Matthew 15:3-9) is addressed to the Pharisees. In it He admits (or

Deuteronomy 20:2 — (cp. Deuteronomio 24:5 ). (3) Los temerosos y pusilánimes fueron dados de alta. El miedo es contagioso y la presencia de tales personas en el anfitrión sería una fuente de debilidad y peligro. Para un ejemplo de la observancia de esta regla, verJueces 7:3 . Se da a entender que un sentido del honor protegerá esta ley de ser abusada.

Mark 6:1-56 — Matthew’s ’He did not there many mighty works.’ Of course the inability was moral. Jesus required faith in those who were to be healed, or in persons connected with them, and only in a very few cases waived this requirement (John 5:13). 7-13. Mission of the Twelve (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1). See on Mt. 13. Anointed] cp. James 5:14. 14-29. Herod and Jesus. Execution of the Baptist (Matthew 14:1). See on Mt: cp. Luke 9:7. 20. Observed him] RV ’kept him safe.’ He did many things]

1 John overview — correspondences of language, of which the following examples will repay comparison. (1) Characteristic words used in a peculiar sense: ’life’ (1 John 1:1-2; 1 John 3:14 cp. John 1:4; John 6:33, John 6:51); ’light’ (1 John 1:5, 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:8 cp. John 1:4-5, John 1:7, John 1:9); ’darkness’ (1 John 1:6; 1 John 2:11 cp. John 8:12; John 12:35); ’world’ (1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 4:4-5 cp. John 1:10; John 12:31; John 14:17). (2) Characteristic expressions: ’eternal

1 Samuel 23:1-29 — Zif, a rounded hill, 4 m. SE. of Hebron. 15. In a wood] RM ’in Horesh.’ But the true rendering is doubtful. If a proper name, it was more probably a mountain than a wood (cp. 1 Samuel 23:14, 1 Samuel 23:19), and the word may mean either. 17. That also] Saul knew that Jonathan was willing to rank second. 19. Jeshimon] RV ’the desert.’ It is the dreary desert of southern Judah: see Numbers 21:20. 25. Maon] mentioned in Joshua 15:55 in connexion with Carmel and Ziph. It is a lofty

1 Samuel 24:1-22 — has such a cote in front of it.’ 4. It is probable that we should translate ’Behold the day on which the Lord saith to thee,’ i.e. they interpret the opportunity as a manifest sign of God’s intention that Saul should be slain. 7. Stayed] The word is a very strong one and shows that David had to exert all his authority. 10. Rather, ’The Lord delivered thee today into mine hand and bade me kill thee’: see on 1 Samuel 24:4. 19. The Lord reward thee good] Gleams of

1 Samuel 8:1-22 — other nations, should be a peculiar people, governed directly by Himself. 6. Displeased Samuel] They had shown themselves forgetful of their relation to God and ungrateful to Samuel himself. But in spite of this, he simply leaves the decision with God. 7. For] Samuel was not to hesitate, for the matter was one which concerned God rather than himself. 8. Which they have done] LXX adds ’to me,’ an addition which is required by the contrast with ’to thee.’ 11. It does not follow