Bible Commentaries

Genesis 2:4-24 — 1. The Garden of Eden 2:4-3:24 This story has seven scenes that a change in actors, situations or activities identifies. [Note: For a different narrative analysis, see Waltke, Genesis, pp. 80-81.] Moses constructed this section of Genesis in a chiastic (palistrophic, crossing)

Exodus 24:9-11 — The ratification ceremony concluded with a meal (Exodus 24:9-11), not a picnic lunch but a sacrificial meal (Exodus 24:5). "’They ate and drank’ describes a covenant meal celebrating the sealing of the covenant described in Exodus 24:3-8." [Note: Ibid., p. 450.] We must understand the

Psalms 56:10-11 — These verses rephrase the refrain to this song that appears in Psalms 56:4. The refrain is a strong affirmation of David’s confidence in God.

Psalms 64:3-4 — David’s enemies were attacking him verbally. They were using their words as weapons to injure him (cf. Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7).

Song of Solomon 4:9-11 — 3. The bride’s love 4:9-11 In these verses, Solomon evidently praised his bride for giving herself wholly to him as he had asked.

Song of Solomon 8:1-4 — D. Increased Intimacy 8:1-4 The Shulammite’s desire for her husband’s love continued to increase throughout their marriage (Song of Solomon 8:1-3).

Jeremiah 7:8 — The prophet also explained what the Lord meant by trusting in deceptive words (Jeremiah 7:4), which they had been trusting in but without benefit.

Ezekiel 11 overview — 4. The condemnation of Jerusalem’s leaders ch. 11 Ezekiel’s vision of the departure of Yahweh’s glory (chs. 8-11) now reached its climactic conclusion.

Ezekiel 46:11 — The offerings on these special occasions were to be the same as on the Sabbath days and the new moon days (cf. Ezekiel 46:4-7).

Hosea 4:11-14 — The guilt of Israel’s idolatrous citizens 4:11-14 The following section is a general indictment of the people of Israel for their idolatry.

Habakkuk 1:12-17 — C. Habakkuk’s question about Babylonia 1:12-17 This section is another lament (cf. Habakkuk 1:2-4). It expresses the problem of excessive punishment.

Malachi 3:10-12 — B. Positive motivation: future blessing 3:10b-12 Both motivational sections of this speech have a future orientation (cf. Malachi 3:16 to Malachi 4:6).

Mark 4:10-29 — Jesus’ explanations to His disciples 4:10-29 This section of Mark’s account records Jesus’ words to His disciples that the multitudes did not hear.

Luke 22:24-30 — 4. Teaching about the disciples’ service 22:24-30 Again Luke apparently rearranged the chronological order of events in the upper room to make certain points.

Luke 3:1-13 — III. THE PREPARATION FOR JESUS’ MINISTRY 3:1-4:13 Luke next narrated events that paved the way for Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee and Judea.

John 4:43-54 — E. Jesus’ resumption of His Galilean ministry 4:43-54 Jesus continued to move north, back into Galilee, where He healed a nobleman’s son.

Romans 4:1-5 — 1. Abraham’s justification by faith 4:1-5 Paul began this chapter by showing that God declared Abraham righteous because of the patriarch’s faith.

1 Peter 4:12-11 — IV. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHRISTIANS COLLECTIVELY 4:12-5:11 Peter now broadened his perspective and reminded his suffering readers of their corporate responsibilities.

Judges 14:1-4 — Samson’s decision to marry a Philistine 14:1-4 Timnah was only about four miles southwest of Zorah. The word "woman" in Judges 14:2 is in the emphatic position in the Hebrew text. Samson described her to his parents as the ideal woman from his viewpoint. Dating as we know it in the

1 Samuel 1:9-18 — Eli’s response to Hannah reveals his instability. He misunderstood Hannah because he did not perceive her correctly. This weakness surfaces again later and accounts in part for his demise. Prayer in the ancient world was usually audible (cf. Psalms 3:4; Psalms 4:1; Psalms 6:9; et al.; Daniel 6:10-11). [Note: Ronald F. Youngblood, "1, 2 Samuel," in Deuteronomy-2 Samuel, vol. 3 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 573.] Pouring out one’s soul before God (1 Samuel 1:15) graphically