Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 29:5 — 5. who then is willing to consecrate his service—Hebrew, "fill his hand"; that is, make an offering (Exodus 32:29; Leviticus 8:33; 1 Kings 13:33). The meaning is, that whoever would contribute voluntarily, as he had done, would be offering a freewill

2 Chronicles 14:5 — 5. he took away . . . the high places—that is, those devoted to idolatrous rites. took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images—All public objects and relics of idolatry in Jerusalem and other cities through his kingdom were

2 Chronicles 29:4 — 4, 5. the east street—the court of the priests, which fronted the eastern gate of the temple. Assembling the priests and Levites there, he enjoined them to set about the immediate purification of the temple. It does not appear that the order referred to

2 Chronicles 32:5 — 5, 6. he strengthened himself—He made a careful inspection of the city defenses for the purpose of repairing breaches in the wall here, renewing the masonry there, raising projecting machines to the towers, and especially fortifying the lower portion

2 Chronicles 35:5 — 5. stand in the holy place—in the court of the priests, the place where the victims were killed. The people were admitted according to their families in groups or companies of several households at a time. When the first company entered the court (which

Nehemiah 4:4 — 4, 5. Hear, O our God; for we are despised—The imprecations invoked here may seem harsh, cruel, and vindictive; but it must be remembered that Nehemiah and his friends regarded those Samaritan leaders as enemies to the cause of God and His people, and therefore

Job 1:20 — of the mantle was the conventional mark of deep grief (Genesis 37:34). Orientals wear a tunic or shirt, and loose pantaloons; and over these a flowing mantle (especially great persons and women). Shaving the head was also usual in grief (Jeremiah 41:5; Micah 1:16).

Job 12:5 — 5. Rather, "a torch" (lamp) is an object of contempt in the thoughts of him who rests securely (is at ease), though it was prepared for the falterings of the feet [UMBREIT] ( :-). "Thoughts" and "feet" are in contrast; also rests "securely," and "falterings." The

Job 24:20 — 20. The womb—The very mother that bare him, and who is the last to "forget" the child that sucked her ( :-), shall dismiss him from her memory (Job 18:17; Proverbs 10:7). The worm shall suck, that is, "feed sweetly" on him as a delicate morsel (Proverbs 10:7- :). wickedness—that is, the wicked; abstract for concrete (as Proverbs 10:7- :). as a tree—utterly (Proverbs 10:7- :); UMBREIT better, "as a staff." A broken staff is the emblem of irreparable ruin (Isaiah 14:5; Hosea 4:12).

Job 29:7 — 7-10. The great influence Job had over young and old, and noblemen. through . . . street!—rather, When I went out of my house, in the country (see :-, prologue) to the gate (ascending), up to the city (which was on elevated ground), and when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market place. The market place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylæa of the city, such as is found in the remains of Nineveh and Persepolis (Isaiah 59:14; Psalms 55:11; Psalms 127:5).

Job 34:6 — 6. Were I to renounce my right (that is, confess myself guilty), I should die. Job virtually had said so (Job 27:4; Job 27:5; Job 6:28). MAURER, not so well, "Notwithstanding my right (innocence) I am treated as a liar," by God, by His afflicting me. my wound—literally, "mine arrow," namely, by which I am pierced. So "my stroke" ("hand," Job 6:28- :, Margin). My sickness (Job 6:4; Job 16:13). without transgression—without fault of mine to deserve it (Job 16:13- :).

Job 42:5 — 5. hearing of the ear— ( :-, Margin). Hearing and seeing are often in antithesis (Job 29:11; Psalms 18:8). seeth—not God's face (Exodus 33:20), but His presence in the veil of a dark cloud (Exodus 33:20- :). Job implies also that, besides this literal

Psalms 106:28 — 28-30. sacrifices of the dead—that is, of lifeless idols, contrasted with "the living God" (Jeremiah 10:3-10; compare Psalms 115:4-7; 1 Corinthians 12:2). On the words, joined themselves to Baal-peor—see Numbers 25:2; Numbers 25:3; Numbers 25:5. Baal-peor—that is, the possessor of Peor, the mountain on which Chemosh, the idol of Moab, was worshipped, and at the foot of which

Psalms 125:5 — 5. Those who turn aside (under temptation) permanently show that they are hypocrites, and their lot or portion shall be with the wicked ( :-). crooked ways—(Compare Deuteronomy 9:16; Malachi 2:8; Malachi 2:9). their—is emphatic; the "crooked ways"

Psalms 23:5 — 5, 6. Another figure expresses God's provided care. a table—or, "food," anointing oil—the symbol of gladness, and the overflowing cup—which represents abundance—are prepared for the child of God, who may feast in spite of his enemies, confident

Psalms 45:12 — exalted position of the Church and her head, whose moral qualities receive the homage of the world. The contribution of material wealth to sustain the institutions of the Church may be included (compare "riches of the Gentiles," Psalms 72:10; Isaiah 60:5-10).

Psalms 74:9 — 9. signs—of God's presence, as altar, ark, c. (compare Psalms 74:4 2 Chronicles 36:18; 2 Chronicles 36:19; Daniel 5:2). no more any prophet— (Isaiah 3:2; Jeremiah 40:1; Jeremiah 43:6). how long—this is to last. Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 43:6- :), if published, may not have been generally known or understood. To the bulk of the people, during the captivity,

Ecclesiastes 12:3 — 3. keepers of the house—namely, the hands and arms which protected the body, as guards do a palace (Genesis 49:24; Job 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:1), are now palsied. strong men . . . bow— (Judges 16:25; Judges 16:30). Like supporting pillars, the feet and knees (Judges 16:30- :); the strongest members (Judges 16:30- :). grinders—the molar teeth. cease—are idle. those that look out of

Ecclesiastes 8:5 — 5. feel—experience. time—the neglect of the right "times" causes much of the sinful folly of the spiritually unwise ( :-). judgment—the right manner [HOLDEN]. But as God's future "judgment" is connected with the "time for every purpose" in Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon 5:8 — 8. She turns from the unsympathizing watchmen to humbler persons, not yet themselves knowing Him, but in the way towards it. Historically, His secret friends in the night of His withdrawal (Luke 23:27; Luke 23:28). Inquirers may find ("if ye find") Jesus Christ before she who has grieved His Spirit finds Him again. tell—in prayer (Luke 23:28- :). sick of love—from an opposite cause (Song of Solomon 2:5) than through excess of delight at His presence; now excess of pain at His absence.