Bible Commentaries

Exodus 12:21-28 — The communication and execution of the directions concerning the Passover 12:21-28 Hyssop grew commonly on rocks and walls in the Near East and Egypt (Exodus 12:22). If it was the same plant that we identify as hyssop today, masses of tiny white flowers

Exodus 13:17-22 — 1. The journey from Succoth to Etham 13:17-22 "The way of the land of the Philistines" refers to the most northern of three routes travelers took from Egypt to Canaan (Exodus 13:17). The others lay farther south. The Egyptians had heavily

Exodus 14:1-4 — 2. Israel’s passage through the Red Sea ch. 14 Scholars have not been able to locate definitely the sites referred to in Exodus 14:2. "An Egyptian papyrus associates Baal Zephon with Tahpahnes . . . a known site near Lake Menzaleh

Exodus 20:22-26 — The basic principles of worship in Israel 20:22-26 God did not just condemn forms of worship that were inappropriate, but He instructed the Israelites positively how they were to worship Him. "The point of the section is this: those who worship

Exodus 20:22-33 — 4. The stipulations of the Book of the Covenant 20:22-23:33 "It is worth noting that the stipulations are enfolded within matching frames that stress the exclusivity of Yahweh (Exodus 20:22-23; cf. Exodus 23:24-25; cf. Exodus 23:32-33), His presence

Exodus 23:1-9 — Justice and neighborliness 23:1-9 This section appeals for justice toward all people. The subject of the legislation now shifts from love for all to justice for all. The Israelites should treat all people justly, not only the rich but also the poor (Exodus 23:3), the enemy as well as the friend (Exodus 23:4). Jezebel later did to Naboth what Exodus 23:7 warns against (cf. 1 Kings 21:9-14).

Exodus 23:32-33 — These verses contain a final warning. Israel was to make no covenants with the Canaanites or their gods because she already had a covenant with Yahweh. The Israelites failed here too (e.g., Joshua 9:3-15). "The Decalogue begins with the command

Exodus 31:12-18 — 10. The sign of the Sabbath 31:12-18 "As a sign of the Noahic covenant is the rainbow (Genesis 9:13), and as the sign of the Abrahamic covenant is circumcision (Genesis 17:11), the sign of the Mosaic covenant is the observance and celebration of

Exodus 36:8-38 — The tabernacle 36:8-38 The hangings and coverings Exodus 36:8-19 (cf. Exodus 26:1-14) The boards and bars Exodus 36:20-34 (cf. Exodus 26:15-30) The veil and screen Exodus 36:35-38 (cf. Exodus 26:31-37) "The order of recounting the construction

Exodus 7:14-19 — 4. The first three plagues 7:14-8:19 Psalms 78:43 places the scene of the plagues in northern Egypt near Zoan. The plagues were penal; God sent them to punish Pharaoh for his refusal to obey God and to move him to obey Yahweh. They involved natural

Psalms 51:2 — The biblical writers often compared a person’s deeds to the clothing he wears because that is what other people see when they look at us. David asked God to wash away his iniquity (moral evil) like dirt that was on his garment (behavior). Cleansing

Jeremiah 1:6 — When the Lord revealed his calling to him, Jeremiah expressed dismay: first, because he was still a youth, and second, because he had not yet learned how to speak confidently and effectively. Jeremiah’s age at his call is not clear except that

Jeremiah 15:1 — The Lord assured Jeremiah that even if two of Israel’s most effective intercessors stood before Him and pleaded for the people now, they would not change His mind about bringing judgment. Moses had been effective in getting God to change His plans

Ezekiel 33:25-26 — Ezekiel was to address the refugees who had brought the message of Jerusalem’s fall and the other Israelites in the name of their sovereign Lord. Since the Jews did not keep the Mosaic Law (cf. Exodus 20:4-5; Exodus 20:13-14; Leviticus 17:10-14;

Ezekiel 38 overview — 6. Future invasion of the Promised Land chs. 38-39 This is the sixth and last message (a proof oracle [Note: Ibid., p. 431.] ) that Ezekiel received from the Lord the night before the refugees reached the exiles with the message that Jerusalem had fallen

Haggai 2:7 — At the same time, Almighty Yahweh would shake all the nations; His return will upset the political and governmental structures of the world (cf. Zechariah 14:1-4). The nations would bring their wealth to the Israelites, like the Egyptians gave their

Zechariah 4:6 — The angel announced a word of explanation from Yahweh that Zechariah was to pass on to Zerubbabel, the descendant of David who became the leader of the first group of returnees from exile. [Note: See David L. Petersen, "Zerubbabel and Jerusalem

Revelation 15:2 — John again "saw" (cf. Revelation 15:1; Revelation 15:5) the sea of glass that was similar to crystal (Revelation 4:6; cf. Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:22), though here he wrote that it also had fire in it. The sea most likely represents chaotic

Revelation 15:8 — The smoke probably symbolizes the presence of God (cf. Exodus 19:18; Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 5:11-14; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Isaiah 6:4; Ezekiel 11:23; Ezekiel 44:4). No one could enter God’s presence until He had finished judging

Revelation 22:4 — God’s bond-servants will see God’s face; we will enjoy personal, intimate fellowship with Him. We will be able to do this because we will be pure in heart, righteous, and holy then (cf. Psalms 11:7; Psalms 17:15; Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians