Bible Commentaries

Genesis 18:1-15 — we shall consider this episode in the Abraham narrative section by section. Like the Flood story, it has a chiastic structure, this time focusing on the announcement of the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:12-13). [Note: See Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 41, for the chiasm.] Again there is a mass destruction with only one man and his family escaping. Both stories end with intoxication and shameful treatment by children that have consequences for future generations. [Note: See ibid., pp. 43-44; and Mathews,

Genesis 3:16 — out." [Note: Leupold, 1:172. Cf. Gini Andrews, Your Half of the Apple, p. 51.]   c.    The woman will desire to dominate the relationship with her husband. This view rests on the parallel Hebrew construction in Genesis 4:7. This view seems best to me.   "The ’curse’ here describes the beginning of the battle of the sexes. After the Fall, the husband no longer rules easily; he must fight for his headship. The woman’s desire is to control her

Genesis 9:25-27 — recorded a human uttering a curse, is a prophecy announcing divine judgment on Canaan’s descendants for their sin that had its seed in Ham’s act. Noah, as a prophet, announced the future of this grandson’s descendants (cf. Genesis 49; Deuteronomy 33; et al.). "For his breach of the family, his [Ham’s] own family would falter." [Note: Kidner, p. 104.] The Canaanites became known for their shameless depravity in sexual matters. [Note: See Charles Pfeiffer, Ras Shamra

2 Kings 22:3-27 — 2. Josiah’s reforms 22:3-23:27 Josiah began to seek Yahweh when he was 16 years old and began initiating religious reforms when he was 20 (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). His reforms were more extensive than those of any of his predecessors. One of them involved the repair of Solomon’s temple (2 Kings 22:5; cf. 2 Kings 12:4-16). He began this project when he was 26. ". . . Josiah rules during years in

2 Chronicles 25:1-28 — I. Amaziah ch. 25 The Chronicler selected three events from Amaziah’s reign to teach important spiritual lessons. First, Amaziah followed the Mosaic Law faithfully in dealing with the people who had killed his father (2 Chronicles 25:1-4; cf. Deuteronomy 24:16). These actions transpired at the beginning of his reign. Second, the king obeyed God partially in his war with the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:5-16). He unwisely hired mercenary soldiers to help him rather than seeking the Lord’s

Esther 2:12-20 — Sudan in the last century, women like Esther long, long ago fumigated themselves, saturating their hair, skin, and pores with fumes from cosmetic burners." [Note: Idem, "Archaeology and the Book of Esther," Biblical Archaeologist 38:3-4 (September, December 1975):78.] After their night with the king, these young women resided in a facility with other concubines where they might live for the rest of their lives. The king might call for them again or he might not. Historians have documented

Job 42:1-6 — 4. Job’s second reply to God 42:1-6 Job’s words reveal the changes that God’s revelations had produced in him. He was aware as never before that God had all power and all wisdom. This resulted in an attitude of awe and submission (Job

Proverbs 3:1-10 — The fruit of peace 3:1-10 The trust of the wise son (Proverbs 3:5-6) comes from heeding sound teaching (Proverbs 3:1-4), and it leads to confident obedience (Proverbs 3:7-9). "Teaching" (Proverbs 3:1, Heb. torah) means "law" or, more fundamentally, "instruction" or "direction." Here the context suggests that the teachings of the

Leviticus 17:3-7 — Israelites in the wilderness lived primarily on manna (cf. Numbers 11:6). They kept animals for producing milk, wool, bearing burdens, and doing hard work. Any Israelite who slaughtered an animal for sacrifice except before the altar would die (Leviticus 17:4; cf. Leviticus 17:9-10; Leviticus 17:14). "It appears . . . that this phrase ["cut off"] may not only refer to premature death at the hand of God, but hint at judgment in the life to come." [Note: Wenham, The Book . . .,

Ezekiel 35 overview — against a foreign nation (cf. chs. 25-32). What is it doing here? Evidently the writer included this oracle here because it promises to desolate an enemy of Israel that wanted to occupy Israel’s land, which God promised to return to His people (ch. 34). An additional reason for the inclusion of chapter 35 here follows. "It may appear at first as though the present prophecy belongs to the oracles against foreign nations, but it is probably here as a point of contrast to chapter 36, that is, wrath

Numbers 23:1-12 — days of the week. Pagans commonly offered sacrifices on important occasions, as did the Israelites, to secure divine favor and help. "The most arresting element of the introductory section is in the words ’God met with him’ (Numbers 23:4) and ’the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth’ (Numbers 23:5). Despite the pagan and unsavory actions of this ungodly man, the Lord deigns to meet with him and to speak through him. This is utterly remarkable. We often say that God

Matthew 26:28 — the sacrificial death He was about to die would ratify (make valid) a covenant (Gr. diatheke) with His people. Similarly the sacrificial death of animals originally ratified the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants with them (Gen. Genesis 15:9-10; Exodus 24:8). In all cases, blood symbolized the life of the substitute sacrifice (cf. Leviticus 17:11). Jeremiah had prophesied that God would make a New Covenant with His people in the future (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-40; cf. Exodus 24:8; Luke 22:20).

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 — the human mind despite its limitations." [Note: Merrill, Deuteronomy, p. 391.] The choice before the Israelites was ultimately one of life or death (Deuteronomy 30:15-18; cf. Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:9; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:8; Genesis 3:22-24; Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:9; Genesis 17:1). [Note: See Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., p. 474.] Moses called the permanent, unchanging heaven and earth to witness the making of this covenant (Deuteronomy 30:19). Those who made ancient Near Eastern

Deuteronomy 9:1-11 — In fact, both in the incident of the golden calf (Deuteronomy 9:7-21) and in a number of other incidents (Deuteronomy 9:22-23), Israel had proved herself stubborn and rebellious. She was delivered only after the intercession of Moses (Deuteronomy 9:24-29). Past experience should remind the people that they needed discipline for their rebellious ways. Yet through all their recalcitrance Yahweh remained faithful, even to the extent of granting them two more tables of stone when the first ones were

Romans 2:12-16 — Paul’s day did have it, and God would judge them by it (Romans 2:12). [Note: See Jeffrey S. Lamp, "Paul, the Law, Jews, and Gentiles: A Contextual and Exegetical Reading of Romans 2:12-16," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 42:1 (March 1999):37-51.] It is not hearing the Law that makes a person acceptable to God, but doing what it commands (Romans 2:13). "Justified" is a legal term that is suitable in this discussion of law observance. Justification is a legal

1 Corinthians 14:35 — pp. 136-37; Morris, pp. 201-2; Robertson and Plummer, p. 325; James B. Hurley, Man and Woman In Biblical Perspective, pp. 188, 190; the NET Bible; et al.] "To suggest that the women should learn by asking their husbands at home (1 Corinthians 14:35) would sound repressive to most of us today (at least where questions can be asked in public meetings), but probably seemed comparatively progressive in Paul’s environment (and in some traditional cultures today)." [Note: Keener, 1-2 Corinthians,

1 Corinthians 5 overview — of discipline (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). This section of the epistle has strong connections with the first major section. The lack of discipline in the church (chs. 5-6) reflected a crisis of authority in the church (1 Corinthians 1:10 to 1 Corinthians 4:21). The Corinthians were arrogant and valued a worldly concept of power. This carnal attitude had produced the three problems that Paul proceeded to deal with next: incest, litigation, and prostitution in the church. "It is frequently said that

James 5:16 — is, probably to those they have wronged." [Note: Adamson, p. 189.] Husbands and wives need to create an atmosphere in the home that promotes transparency (cf. Colossians 3:12-13). We need to demonstrate total acceptance of our mate (cf. 1 John 4:18). We also need to show an attitude of constant forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-32). Spouses should make a commitment to verbalize their emotions without pulling back or quitting. This involves acknowledging our emotions, explaining and describing our

Revelation 20:6 — Revelation’s fifth beatitude reveals that those who participate in the first resurrection are blessed and holy. The "second death" is final death beyond physical death (cf. Revelation 20:14; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 21:8). It involves death of the soul (whole person) as well as the body (Matthew 10:28). Specifically, the first resurrection involves deliverance from the lake of fire. Those who participate in the first resurrection are

Ruth overview — Hebrew originally, though its etymological derivation is uncertain. [Note: Ibid., p. 587.] Another writer suggested that it may derive from the Hebrew rwh meaning "to soak, irrigate, refresh." [Note: Robert L. Hubbard, The Book of Ruth, p. 94.] After Ruth entered Israel, and especially after the Book of Ruth circulated, the name became popular among the Jews, and later, among Christians. The same title appears over the book in its Hebrew (Masoretic), Greek (Septuagint), Latin (Vulgate),