Bible Commentaries

Genesis 11:4 — 4. a tower whose top may reach unto heaven—a common figurative expression for great height (Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:1-6). lest we be scattered—To build a city and a town was no crime; but to do this to defeat the counsels of heaven by attempting to prevent emigration was foolish, wicked, and justly offensive to God.

Genesis 29:4 — 4. Jacob said, My brethren—Finding from the shepherds who were reposing there with flocks and who all belonged to Haran, that his relatives in Haran were well and that one of the family was shortly expected, he enquired why they were idling the best part of the day there instead of watering their flocks and sending them back to pasture.

Genesis 4:4 — 4. the Lord had respect unto Abel, not unto Cain, c.—The words, "had respect to," signify in Hebrew,—"to look at any thing with a keen earnest glance," which has been translated, "kindle into a fire," so that the divine approval of Abel's offering was shown in its being consumed by fire (see Genesis 15:17 Judges 13:20).

Genesis 48:3 — 3, 4. God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz—The object of Jacob, in thus reverting to the memorable vision at Beth-el [ :-] —one of the great landmarks in his history—was to point out the splendid promises in reserve for his posterity—to engage Joseph's interest and preserve his continued connection with the people of God, rather than with the Egyptians.

Exodus 11:4 — 4. Thus saith the Lord, About midnight—Here is recorded the announcement of the last plague made in the most solemn manner to the king, on whose hardened heart all his painful experience had hitherto produced no softening, at least no permanently good effect. will I go out into the midst of Egypt—language used after the manner of men.

Exodus 13:4 — 4. month Abib—literally, "a green ear," and hence the month Abib is the month of green ears, corresponding to the middle of our March. It was the best season for undertaking a journey to the desert region of Sinai, especially with flocks and herds; for then the winter torrents had subsided, and the wadies were covered with an early and luxuriant verdure.

1 Kings 9:28 — 28. Ophir—a general name, like the East or West Indies with us, for all the southern regions lying on the African, Arabian, or Indian seas, in so far as at that time known [HEEREN]. gold, four hundred and twenty talents—(See on :-). At 125 pounds Troy, or 1500 ounces to the talent, and about £4 to the ounce, this would make £2,604,000.

2 Kings 4:2 — 2-4. a pot—or cruet of oil. This comprising her whole stock of domestic utensils, he directs her to borrow empty vessels not a few; then, secluding herself with her children, [the widow] was to pour oil from her cruse into the borrowed vessels, and, selling the oil, discharge the debt, and then maintain herself and family with the remainder.

1 Chronicles 10:4 — 4. his armour-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid—He was, of course, placed in the same perilous condition as Saul. But it is probable that the feelings that restrained him from complying with Saul's wish were a profound respect for royalty, mingled with apprehension of the shock which such a catastrophe would give to the national feelings and interests.

2 Chronicles 7:4 — 4. Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices—Whether the individual worshippers slaughtered their own cattle, or a certain portion of the vast number of the Levitical order in attendance performed that work, as they sometimes did, in either case the offerings were made through the priests, who presented the blood and the fat upon the altar (see on :-).

Nehemiah 1:4 — 4. when I heard these words, that I sat down . . . and mourned . . . and fasted, and prayed—The recital deeply affected the patriotic feelings of this good man, and no comfort could he find but in earnest and protracted prayer, that God would favor the purpose, which he seems to have secretly formed, of asking the royal permission to go to Jerusalem.

Job 29:4 — 4. youth—literally, "autumn"; the time of the ripe fruits of my prosperity. Applied to youth, as the Orientalists began their year with autumn, the most temperate season in the East. secret—when the intimate friendship of God rested on my tent (Proverbs 3:32; Psalms 31:20; Genesis 18:17; John 15:15). The Hebrew often means a divan for deliberation.

Job 32:8 — 8. Elihu claims inspiration, as a divinely commissioned messenger to Job (Job 33:6; Job 33:23); and that claim is not contradicted in Job 42:4; Job 42:5. Translate: "But the spirit (which God puts) in man, and the inspiration . . . is that which giveth," c. it is not mere "years" which give understanding (Proverbs 2:6; John 20:22).

Job 4:20 — 20. from morning to evening—unceasingly; or, better, between the morning and evening of one short day (so Exodus 18:14; Isaiah 38:12). They are destroyed—better, "they would be destroyed," if God withdrew His loving protection. Therefore man must not think to be holy before God, but to draw holiness and all things else from God (Job 4:17).

Job 40:17 — 17. like a cedar—As the tempest bends the cedar, so it can move its smooth thick tail [UMBREIT]. But the cedar implies straightness and length, such as do not apply to the river horse's short tail, but perhaps to an extinct species of animal (see on Job 40:4). stones—rather, "thighs." wrapped—firmly twisted together, like a thick rope.

Psalms 2:4 — 4. By a figure whose boldness is only allowable to an inspired writer, God's conduct and language in view of this opposition are now related. He that sitteth in the heavens—enthroned in quiet dignities (compare Psalms 29:10; Isaiah 40:22). shall laugh—in supreme contempt; their vain rage excites His derision. He is still the Lord, literally, "Sovereign," though they rebel.

Leviticus 5:4 — 4. if a soul swear—a rash oath, without duly considering the nature and consequences of the oath, perhaps inconsiderately binding himself to do anything wrong, or neglecting to perform a vow to do something good. In all such cases a person might have transgressed one of the divine commandments unwittingly, and have been afterwards brought to a sense of his delinquency.

Deuteronomy 20:4 — 4. your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you—According to Jewish writers, the ark was always taken into the field of combat. But there is no evidence of this in the sacred history; and it must have been a sufficient ground of encouragement to be assured that God was on their side.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 — la teoría cristiana; pues en el v. 7 habla de algunos que no lo tienen en la práctica) tenemos este conocimiento.” La ciencia (conocimiento) hincha—cuando no hay amor. Aquí principia un paréntesis, que termina al reasumirse el tema principal en el v. 4: “Acerca, pues, de las viandas …” El “hincharse” es para agradarse a uno mismo; el “edificar” es para agradar al prójimo. El conocimiento sólo dice: Todo me es lícito; el amor agrega: Pero no todo edifica [Bengel] (cap. 10:23; Romanos 14:15). mas la

1 Samuel 11:3 — 3, 4. send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel—a curious proof of the general dissatisfaction that prevailed as to the appointment of Saul. Those Gileadites deemed him capable neither of advising nor succoring them; and even in his own town the appeal was made to the people—not to the prince. :-. THEY SEND TO SAUL, AND ARE DELIVERED.