Bible Commentaries

Ezekiel 36:22 — 22. not . . . for your sakes—that is, not for any merit in you; for, on the contrary, on your part, there is everything to call down continued severity (compare Deuteronomy 9:5; Deuteronomy 9:6). The sole and sure ground of hope was God's regard to "His own name," as the God of covenant grace (Psalms 106:45), which He must vindicate from the dishonor brought on it by the Jews, before the heathen.

Hosea 13:7 — 7. (Hosea 5:14; Lamentations 3:10). leopard—The Hebrew comes from a root meaning "spotted" (compare Lamentations 3:10- :). Leopards lurk in thickets and thence spring on their victims. observe—that is, lie in wait for them. Several manuscripts, the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic read, by a slight change of the Hebrew vowel pointing, "by the way of Assyria," a region abounding in leopards and lions. English Version is better.

Hosea 8:11 — 11. God in righteous retribution gives them up to their own way; the sin becomes its own punishment (Proverbs 1:31). many altars—in opposition to God's law (Deuteronomy 12:5; Deuteronomy 12:6; Deuteronomy 12:13; Deuteronomy 12:14). to sin . . . to sin—Their altars which were "sin" (whatever religious intentions they might plead) should be treated as such, and be the source of their punishment (1 Kings 12:30; 1 Kings 13:34).

Hosea 9:6 — 6. because of destruction—to escape from the devastation of their country. Egypt shall gather them up—that is, into its sepulchres (Jeremiah 8:2; Ezekiel 29:5). Instead of returning to Palestine, they should die in Egypt. Memphis—famed as a necropolis. the pleasant places for their silver—that is, their desired treasuries for their money. Or, "whatever precious thing they have of silver" [MAURER]. nettles—the sign of desolation (Isaiah 34:13).

Joel 1:19 — 19. to thee will I cry—Joel here interposes, As this people is insensible to shame or fear and will not hear, I will leave them and address myself directly to Thee (compare Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 23:9). fire—that is, the parching heat. pastures—"grassy places"; from a Hebrew root "to be pleasant." Such places would be selected for "habitations" (Margin). But the English Version rendering is better than Margin.

Amos 9:5 — 5. As Amos had threatened that nowhere should the Israelites be safe from the divine judgments, he here shows God's omnipotent ability to execute His threats. So in the case of the threat in Amos 8:8, God is here stated to be the first cause of the mourning of "all that dwell" in the land, and of its rising "like a flood, and of its being "drowned, as by the flood of Egypt."

Micah 6:7 — 7. rivers of oil—used in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:1; Leviticus 2:15). Will God be appeased by my offering so much oil that it shall flow in myriads of torrents? my first-born— (Leviticus 2:15- :). As the king of Moab did. fruit of my body—my children, as an atonement (Leviticus 2:15- :). The Jews offered human sacrifices in the valley of Hinnom (Jeremiah 19:5; Jeremiah 32:35; Ezekiel 23:27).

Habakkuk 2:8 — 8. the remnant of the people—Those remaining of the peoples spoiled by thee, though but a remnant, will suffice to inflict vengeance on thee. the violence of the land . . . city—that is, on account of thy violent oppression of the lands and cities of the earth [GROTIUS] (compare Habakkuk 2:5; Habakkuk 2:6; Habakkuk 2:12). The same phrase occurs in Habakkuk 2:17, where the "land" and "city" are Judea and Jerusalem.

Zechariah 10:7 — 7. like a mighty man—in the battle with the foe (Zechariah 10:3; Zechariah 10:5). rejoice—at their victory over the foe. children shall see it—who are not yet of age to serve. To teach patient waiting for God's promises. If ye do not at present see the fulfilment, your children shall, and their joy shall be complete. rejoice in the Lord—the Giver of such a glorious victory.

Zechariah 2 overview — CHAPTER 2 :-. THIRD VISION. The man with the measuring-line. The city shall be fully restored and enlarged (Zechariah 2:2-5). Recall of the exiles (Zechariah 2:6; Zechariah 2:7). Jehovah will protect His people and make their foes a spoil unto them (Zechariah 2:8; Zechariah 2:9). The nations shall be converted to Jehovah, as the result of His dwelling manifestly amidst His people (Zechariah 2:10-13).

Zechariah 5:6 — 6. This is their resemblance—literally, "eye" (compare Ezekiel 1:4; Ezekiel 1:5; Ezekiel 1:16). HENGSTENBERG translates, "Their (the people's) eye" was all directed to evil. But English Version is better. "This is the appearance (that is, an image) of the Jews in all the land" (not as English Version, "in all the earth"), that is, of the wicked Jews. This—Here used of what was within the ephah, not the ephah itself.

Matthew 28:5 — 5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye—The "ye" here is emphatic, to contrast their case with that of the guards. "Let those puny creatures, sent to keep the Living One among the dead, for fear of Me shake and become as dead men ( :-); but ye that have come hither on another errand, fear not ye." for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified—Jesus the Crucified.

John 11:5 — 5. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus—what a picture!—one that in every age has attracted the admiration of the whole Christian Church. No wonder that those miserable skeptics who have carped at the ethical system of the Gospel, as not embracing private friendships in the list of its virtues, have been referred to the Saviour's peculiar regard for this family as a triumphant refutation, if such were needed.

John 2:21 — 21. temple of his body—in which was enshrined the glory of the eternal Word. (See on :-). By its resurrection the true Temple of God upon earth was reared up, of which the stone one was but a shadow; so that the allusion is not quite exclusively to Himself, but takes in that Temple of which He is the foundation, and all believers are the "lively stones." (1 Peter 2:4; 1 Peter 2:5).

John 7:1 — 1, 2. After these things—that is, all that is recorded after :-. walked in Galilee—continuing His labors there, instead of going to Judea, as might have been expected. sought to kill him—referring back to John 5:18. Hence it appears that our Lord did not attend the Passover mentioned in John 6:4 —being the third since His ministry began, if the feast mentioned in John 6:4- : was a Passover.

Acts 12:5 — 5, 6. prayer was made without ceasing—rather, "instant," "earnest," "urgent" (Margin); as in Luke 22:44; Acts 26:7; 1 Peter 4:8 (see Greek). of the church unto God for him—not in public assembly, for it was evidently not safe to meet thus; but in little groups in private houses, one of which was Mary's (Acts 12:12). And this was kept up during all the days of unleavened bread.

Acts 24:16 — 16. And herein—On this account, accordingly; that is, looking forward to that awful day (compare 2 Corinthians 5:10). I exercise myself—The "I" here is emphatic; "Whatever they do, this is my study." to have always a conscience void of offence, c.—See Acts 23:1 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 2:17, c. that is, "These are the great principles of my life and conduct—how different from turbulence and sectarianism!"

Acts 5 overview — CHAPTER 5 :-. ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. "The first trace of a shade upon the bright form of the young Church. Probably among the new Christians a kind of holy rivalry had sprung up, every one eager to place his means at the disposal of the apostles" [OLSHAUSEN]. Thus might the new-born zeal of some outrun their abiding principle, while others might be tempted to seek credit for a liberality which was not in their character.

Acts 7:43 — 43. Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Molech, c.—Two kinds of idolatry are charged upon the Israelites: that of the golden calf and that of the heavenly bodies Molech and Remphan being deities, representing apparently the divine powers ascribed to nature, under different aspects. carry you beyond Babylon—the well-known region of the captivity of Judah; while "Damascus" is used by the prophet (Amos 5:27), whither the ten tribes were carried.

2 Corinthians 9:10 — 10. Translate, as in :-, "He that ministereth (supplieth) seed to the sower and bread for food" (literally, "bread for eating"). minister—rather future, as the oldest manuscripts, "Shall minister (supply) and multiply." your seed—your means for liberality. the fruits of your righteousness—the heavenly rewards for your Christian charity (Matthew 10:42). Righteousness shall be itself the reward, even as it is the thing rewarded (Hosea 10:12; Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:33).