Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 13:5 — 5. from Shihor of Egypt— (Joshua 15:4; Joshua 15:47; Numbers 34:5; 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Kings 24:7; 2 Chronicles 7:8); a small brook flowing into the Mediterranean, near the modern El-arish, which forms the southern boundary of Palestine. unto the entering of Hemath—the defile between the mountain ranges of Syria and the extreme limit of Palestine on the north.

2 Chronicles 16:4 — 4. Ben-hadad . . . sent the captains of his armies . . . and they smote . . . Abelmaim—"The meadow of waters," supposed to have been situated on the marshy plain near the uppermost lake of the Jordan. The other two towns were also in the northern district of Palestine. These unexpected hostilities of his Syrian ally interrupted Baasha's fortifications at Ramah, and his death, happening soon after, prevented his resuming them.

Job 18:3 — 3. beasts—alluding to what Job said (Job 12:7; so Job 12:7- :). vile—rather from a Hebrew root, "to stop up." "Stubborn," answering to the stupidity implied in the parallel first clause [UMBREIT]. Why should we give occasion by your empty speeches for our being mutually reputed, in the sight of Job and one another, as unintelligent? (Job 17:4; Job 17:10).

Job 25:5 — 5. "Look up even unto the moon" (Job 15:15). "Stars" here answer to "saints" (angels) there; "the moon" here to "the heavens" there. Even the "stars," the most dazzling object to man's eye, and the angels, of which the stars are emblems (Job 4:18; Revelation 9:1), are imperfect in His sight. Theirs is the light and purity but of creatures; His of the Creator.

Job 34:20 — 20. they—"the rich" and "princes" who offend God. the people—namely, of the guilty princes: guilty also themselves. at midnight—image from a night attack of an enemy on a camp, which becomes an easy prey (Exodus 12:29; Exodus 12:30). without hand—without visible agency, by the mere word of God (so Job 20:26; Zechariah 4:6; Daniel 2:34).

Job 38:36 — 36. inward parts . . . heart—But "dark clouds" ("shining phenomena") [UMBREIT]; "meteor" [MAURER], referring to the consultation of these as signs of weather by the husbandman (Ecclesiastes 11:4). But Hebrew supports English Version. The connection is, "Who hath given thee the intelligence to comprehend in any degree the phenomena just specified?" heart—not the usual Hebrew word, but one from a root "to view"; perception.

Psalms 105:1 — 1. call . . . name— (Psalms 79:6; Romans 10:13). Call on Him, according to His historically manifested glory. After the example of Abraham, who, as often as God acquired for Himself a name in guiding him, called in solemn worship upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:4). among the people—or, "peoples" (Psalms 18:49). deeds—or, "wonders" (Psalms 103:7).

Psalms 18:10 — 10. cherub—angelic agents (compare Genesis 3:24), the figures of which were placed over the ark (Genesis 3:24- :), representing God's dwelling; used here to enhance the majesty of the divine advent. Angels and winds may represent all rational and irrational agencies of God's providence (compare Psalms 104:3; Psalms 104:4). did fly—Rapidity of motion adds to the grandeur of the scene.

Psalms 32:4 — 4. thy hand—of God, or power in distressing him (Psalms 38:2). moisture—vital juices of the body, the parching heat of which expresses the anguish of the soul. On the other figures, compare Psalms 6:2; Psalms 6:7; Psalms 31:9-11. If composed on the occasion of the Psalms 31:9-19.31.11- :, this distress may have been protracted for several months.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 — 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God—Hasty words in prayer (Ecclesiastes 5:2; Ecclesiastes 5:3) suggest the subject of hasty vows. A vow should not be hastily made (Judges 11:35; 1 Samuel 14:24). When made, it must be kept (Psalms 76:11), even as God keeps His word to us (Exodus 12:41; Exodus 12:51; Joshua 21:45).

Ecclesiastes 7:3 — 3. Sorrow—such as arises from serious thoughts of eternity. laughter—reckless mirth (Ecclesiastes 2:2). by the sadness . . . better— (Psalms 126:5; Psalms 126:6; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:10; Hebrews 12:11). MAURER translates: "In sadness of countenance there is (may be) a good (cheerful) heart." So Hebrew, for "good," equivalent to "cheerful" (Hebrews 12:11- :); but the parallel clause supports English Version.

Isaiah 13:4 — 4. the mountains—namely, which separate Media and Assyria, and on one of which the banner to rally the hosts is supposed to be reared. tumultuous noise—The Babylonians are vividly depicted as hearing some unwonted sound like the din of a host; they try to distinguish the sounds, but can only perceive a tumultuous noise. nations—Medes, Persians, and Armenians composed Cyrus' army.

Isaiah 30:29 — 29. the night . . . solemnity—As in the passover night ye celebrate your deliverance from Egypt, so shall ye celebrate your rescue from Assyrian bondage. Translate, "the solemnity" (Exodus 12:42). goeth with a pipe—or flute. They used to go up to Jerusalem ("the mountain of the Lord," Zion) at the three feasts with music and gladness (Deuteronomy 16:16; Ezra 2:65; Psalms 122:1-4).

Isaiah 30:4 — 4. his—Judah's (compare :-). at Zoan—are already arrived there on their errand to Pharaoh (see :-). came to Hanes—are come there. West of the Nile, in central Egypt: Egyptian Hnes; the Greek Heracleopolis: perhaps the Anysis of HERODOTUS (2.137); according to GROTIUS, Tahpanhes contracted ( :-); the seat of a reigning prince at the time, as was Zoan, hence the Jewish ambassadors go to both.

Isaiah 33:4 — 4. The invaders' "spoil" shall be left behind by them in their flight, and the Jews shall gather it. caterpillar—rather, "the wingless locust"; as it gathers; the Hebrew word for "gathers" is properly used of the gathering of the fruits of harvest (Isaiah 32:10). running to and fro—namely, in gathering harvest fruits. he—rather, "they." them—rather, "it," that is, the prey.

Isaiah 44:4 — 4. they—thy "seed" and "offspring" ( :-). as among—needlessly inserted in English Version. Rather, "The seed shall spring up as willows among the grass beside canals of water" [HORSLEY]. Or, "They shall spring up among the grass (that is, luxuriantly; for what grows in the midst of grass grows luxuriantly) as willows by the water-courses," which makes the parallel clauses better balanced [MAURER].

Numbers 20:11 — 11. the congregation drank, and their beasts—Physically the water afforded the same kind of needful refreshment to both. But from a religious point of view, this, which was only a common element to the cattle, was a sacrament to the people (1 Corinthians 10:3; 1 Corinthians 10:4) —It possessed a relative sanctity imparted to it by its divine origin and use.

Judges 2:4 — 4, 5. when the angel of the Lord spake these words . . . the people lifted up their voice, and wept—The angel's expostulation made a deep and painful impression. But the reformation was but temporary, and the gratifying promise of a revival which this scene of emotion held out, was, ere long, blasted by speedy and deeper relapses into the guilt of defection and idolatry.

Judges 9:4 — 4. the house of Baal-berith—either the temple, or the place where this idol was worshipped; Baal-berith, "god of the covenant," by invocation of whom the league of cities was formed. Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him—idle, worthless vagabonds, the scum of society, who had nothing to lose, but much to gain from the success of a revolutionary movement.

2 Samuel 6:11 — 11. Obed-edom the Gittite—a Levite (1 Chronicles 15:18; 1 Chronicles 15:21; 1 Chronicles 15:24; 1 Chronicles 16:5; 1 Chronicles 26:4). He is called a Gittite, either from his residence at Gath, or more probably from Gath-rimmon, one of the Levitical cities (Joshua 21:24; Joshua 21:25). Joshua 21:25- :. DAVID AFTERWARDS BRINGS THE ARK TO ZION.