Bible Commentaries

Isaiah 40:27 — 27. Since these things are so, thou hast no reason to think that thine interest ("way," that is, condition, Psalms 37:5; Jeremiah 12:1) is disregarded by God. judgment is passed over from—rather, "My cause is neglected by my God; He passes by my case in my bondage and distress without noticing it." my God—who especially might be expected to care for me.

Isaiah 48:1 — 1. the waters of Judah—spring from the fountain of Judah (Numbers 24:7; Deuteronomy 33:28; Psalms 68:26; Margin). Judah has the "fountain" attributed to it, because it survived the ten tribes, and from it Messiah was to spring. swear by . . . Lord— (Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 45:23; Isaiah 65:16). mention—in prayers and praises. not in truth— (Jeremiah 5:2; John 4:24).

Isaiah 49:3 — 3. Israel—applied to Messiah, according to the true import of the name, the Prince who had power with God in wrestling in behalf of man, and who prevails (Genesis 32:28; Hosea 12:3; Hosea 12:4). He is also the ideal Israel, the representative man of the nation (compare Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1). in whom . . . glorified— (John 14:13; John 17:1-5).

Isaiah 59:6 — 6. not . . . garments—like the "fig leaves" wherewith Adam and Eve vainly tried to cover their shame, as contrasted with "the coats of skins" which the Lord God made to clothe them with (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27; Philippians 3:9). The artificial self-deceiving sophisms of human philosophy (1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 2:23).

Jeremiah 22:13 — 13. Not only did Jehoiakim tax the people (2 Kings 23:35) for Pharaoh's tribute, but also took their forced labor, without pay, for building a splendid palace; in violation of Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14; Deuteronomy 24:15. Compare Micah 3:10; Habakkuk 2:9; James 5:4. God will repay in justice those who will not in justice pay those whom they employ.

Jeremiah 39:5 — 5. Riblah—north of Palestine (see Jeremiah 1:14; Numbers 34:11). Hamath is identified by commentators with Antioch, in Syria, on the Orontes, called Epiphania, from Antiochus Epiphanes. gave judgment upon him—literally, "spake judgments with him," that is, brought him to trial as a common criminal, not as a king. He had violated his oath (Ezekiel 17:13-19; 2 Chronicles 36:13).

Lamentations 3:21 — 21. This—namely, what follows; the view of the divine character (Lamentations 3:22; Lamentations 3:23). CALVIN makes "this" refer to Jeremiah's infirmity. His very weakness (Lamentations 3:19; Lamentations 3:20) gives him hope of God interposing His strength for him (compare Psalms 25:11; Psalms 25:17; Psalms 42:5; Psalms 42:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 12:10). Cheth.

Lamentations 5:5 — 5. Literally, "On our necks we are persecuted"; that is, Men tread on our necks (Psalms 66:12; Isaiah 51:23; compare Isaiah 51:23- :). The extremest oppression. The foe not merely galled the Jews face, back, and sides, but their neck. A just retribution, as they had been stiff in neck against the yoke of God (Isaiah 51:23- :, Margin; Nehemiah 9:29; Isaiah 48:4).

Ezekiel 16 overview — CHAPTER 16 :-. DETAILED APPLICATION OF THE PARABOLICAL DELINEATION OF THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER TO JERUSALEM PERSONIFIED AS A DAUGHTER. (1) Taken up by God's gratuitous favor from infancy ( :-); (2) and, when grown up, joined to Him in spiritual marriage (Ezekiel 16:8-14); (3) her unfaithfulness, her sin (Ezekiel 16:8-26.16.14- :); (4) the judgment (Ezekiel 16:8-26.16.14- :); (5) her unlooked-for restoration (Ezekiel 16:8-26.16.14- :).

Ezekiel 23:20 — 20. their paramours—that is, her paramours among them (the Egyptians); she doted upon their persons as her paramours (Ezekiel 23:5; Ezekiel 23:12; Ezekiel 23:16). flesh—the membrum virile (very large in the ass). Compare Ezekiel 23:16- :, Margin; Ezekiel 23:16- :. issue of horses—the seminal issue. The horse was made by the Egyptians the hieroglyphic for a lustful person.

Ezekiel 38:22 — 22. plead—a forensic term; because God in His inflictions acts on the principles of His own immutable justice, not by arbitrary impulse (Isaiah 66:16; Jeremiah 25:31). blood . . . hailstones, fire— (Revelation 8:7; Revelation 16:21). The imagery is taken from the destruction of Sodom and the plagues of Egypt (compare Psalms 11:6). Antiochus died by "pestilence" (2 Maccabees 9:5).

Ezekiel 42:5 — 5. shorter—that is, the building became narrower as it rose in height. The chambers were many: so "in My Father's house are many mansions" ( :-); and besides these there was much "room" still left (compare Luke 14:22). The chambers, though private, were near the temple. Prayer in our chambers is to prepare us for public devotions, and to help us in improving them.

Daniel 8:5 — 5. he-goat—Græco-Macedonia. notable horn—Alexander. "Touched not . . . ground," implies the incredible swiftness of his conquests; he overran the world in less than twelve years. The he-goat answers to the leopard ( :-). Caranus, the first king of Macedonia, was said to have been led by goats to Edessa, which he made the seat of his kingdom, and called Æge, that is, "goat-city."

Hosea 10:15 — 15. So shall Beth-el do unto you—that is, Your idolatrous calf at Beth-el shall be the cause of a like calamity befalling you. your great wickedness—literally, "the wickedness of your wickedness." in a morning—that is, speedily, as quickly as the dawn is put to flight by the rising sun (Hosea 6:4; Hosea 13:3; Psalms 30:5). king—Hoshea.

Hosea 2:5 — 5. I will go after—The Hebrew expresses a settled determination. lovers—the idols which Israel fancied to be the givers of all their goods, whereas God gave all these goods (Hosea 2:8-13; compare Jeremiah 44:17-19). bread and . . . water—the necessaries of life in food. wool . . . flax—clothing. oil . . . drink—perfumed unguents and palatable drinks: the luxuries of Hebrew life.

Hosea 6:7 — 7. like men—the common sort of men (Psalms 82:7). Not as Margin, "like Adam," Job 31:33. For the expression "covenant" is not found elsewhere applied to Adam's relation to God; though the thing seems implied (Romans 5:12-19). Israel "transgressed the covenant" of God as lightly as men break everyday compacts with their fellow men. there—in the northern kingdom, Israel.

Hosea 7:12 — 12. When they shall go—to seek aid from this or that foreign state. spread my net upon them—as on birds taken on the ground ( :-), as contrasted with "bringing them down" as the "fowls of the heavens," namely, by the use of missiles. as their congregation hath heard—namely, by My prophets through whom I threatened "chastisement" (Hosea 5:9; 2 Kings 17:13-18).

Zechariah 10:5 — 5. riders on horses—namely, the enemy's horsemen. Though the Jews were forbidden by the law to multiply horses in battle ( :-), they are made Jehovah's war horse (Zechariah 10:3; Psalms 20:7), and so tread down on foot the foe with all his cavalry (Ezekiel 38:4; Daniel 11:40). Cavalry was the chief strength of the Syro-Grecian army (1 Maccabees 3:39).

Luke 12:4 — 4, 5. I say, c.—You will say, That may cost us our life. Be it so but, "My friends, there their power ends." He calls them "my friends" here, not in any loose sense, but, as we think, from the feeling He then had that in this "killing of the body" He and they were going to be affectingly one with each other.

Luke 2:28 — 28. took him up in his arms—immediately recognizing in the child, with unhesitating certainty, the promised Messiah, without needing Mary to inform him of what had happened to her. [OLSHAUSEN]. The remarkable act of taking the babe in his arms must not be overlooked. It was as if he said, "This is all my salvation and all my desire" (2 Samuel 23:5).