Bible Commentaries

2 Kings 23:5 — 5. put down the idolatrous priests—Hebrew, chemarim, "scorched," that is, Guebres, or fire-worshippers, distinguished by a girdle ( :-) or belt of wool and camel's hair, twisted round the body twice and tied with four knots, which had a symbolic meaning, and

1 Chronicles 15:2 — catastrophe that marred the first attempt. In preparing for the solemn procession that was now to usher the sacred symbol into its resting-place, David took special care that the carriage should be regulated in strict conformity to the law (Numbers 4:5; Numbers 4:15; Numbers 7:9; Numbers 10:17).

1 Chronicles 19:4 — 4, 5. shaved them—not completely, but only the half of their face. This disrespect to the beard, and indecent exposure of their persons by their clothes being cut off from the girdle downwards, was the grossest indignity to which Jews, in common with all

1 Chronicles 7:5 — 5. fourscore and seven thousand—exclusive of the 58,600 men which the Tola branch had produced (1 Chronicles 7:24), so that in the days of David the tribe would have contained a population of 45,600. This large increase was owing to the practice of polygamy,

Esther 8:5 — 5, 6. reverse the letters devised by Haman . . . to destroy the Jews—The whole conduct of Esther in this matter is characterized by great tact, and the variety of expressions by which she describes her willing submission to her royal husband, the address

Job 21:17 — 21:17-21 quotes the assertion of the friends, as to the short continuance of the sinner's prosperity, not his own sentiments. In Job 21:17-18.21.21- : he proceeds to refute them. "How oft is the candle" (lamp), c., quoting Bildad's sentiment (Job 18:5 Job 18:6), in order to question its truth (compare Matthew 25:8). how oft—"God distributeth," c. (alluding to Job 20:23 Job 20:29). sorrows—UMBREIT translates "snares," literally, "cords," which lightning in its twining motion resembles (Job 20:29-

Job 36:13 — 13-15. Same sentiment as Job 36:11; Job 36:12, expanded. hypocrites—or, the ungodly [MAURER]; but "hypocrites" is perhaps a distinct class from the openly wicked (Job 36:12). heap up wrath—of God against themselves (Romans 2:5). UMBREIT translates, "nourish

Job 7:7 — falling upon memory and the thought of the unseen world, where one is seen no more (Job 3:17- :), drew from him an expression of regret at leaving this world of light (Ecclesiastes 11:7); so Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:11). Grace rises above nature (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Psalms 106:23 — 32:11-14; Deuteronomy 9:18; Deuteronomy 9:19). Moses his chosen—that is, to be His servant (compare Deuteronomy 9:19- :). in the breach—as a warrior covers with his body the broken part of a wall or fortress besieged, a perilous place (Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 22:30). to turn away—or, "prevent" his wrath— (Numbers 25:11; Psalms 78:38).

Ecclesiastes 3:3 — 3. time to kill—namely, judicially, criminals; or, in wars of self-defense; not in malice. Out of this time and order, killing is murder. to heal—God has His times for "healing" (literally, Isaiah 38:5; Isaiah 38:21; figuratively, Deuteronomy 32:39; Hosea 6:1; spiritually, Psalms 147:3; Isaiah 57:19). To heal spiritually, before the sinner feels his wound, would be "out of time," and so injurious. time to break down—cities, as Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezzar.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 — in Holy Writ ( :-). Among man's "inventions" was the one especially referred to in Ecclesiastes 7:26, the bitter fruits of which Solomon experienced, the breaking of God's primeval marriage law, joining one man to "one" woman (Matthew 19:4 Matthew 19:5; Matthew 19:6). "Man" is singular, namely, Adam; "they," plural, Adam, Eve, and their posterity.

Joshua 5:9 — Gilgal—No trace either of the name or site is now to be found; but it was about two miles from Jericho [JOSEPHUS], and well suited for an encampment by the advantages of shade and water. It was the first place pronounced "holy" in the Holy Land (Joshua 5:15).

Joshua 9:5 — 5. old shoes and clouted—Those who have but one ass or mule for themselves and baggage frequently dismount and walk—a circumstance which may account for the worn shoes of the pretended travellers. bread . . . dry and mouldy—This must have been that

Judges 14:5 — 5-9. a young lion—Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without

Judges 14:9 — 5-9. a young lion—Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without

Judges 16:5 — 5. the lords of the Philistines—The five rulers deemed no means beneath their dignity to overcome this national enemy. Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth—They probably imagined that he carried some amulet about his person, or was in

1 Samuel 22:17 — 17, 18. the footmen that stood about him—his bodyguard, or his runners (1 Samuel 8:11; 2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5; 1 Kings 14:28), who held an important place at court (2 Chronicles 12:10). But they chose rather to disobey the king than to offend God by imbruing their hands in the blood of his ministering servants. A foreigner alone (Psalms 52:1-3) could

1 Samuel 26:5 — 5. Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him—Among the nomad people of the East, the encampments are usually made in a circular form. The circumference is lined by the baggage and the men, while the chief's station is in the center,

1 Samuel 9:15 — 15, 16. Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before—The description of Saul, the time of his arrival, and the high office to which he was destined, had been secretly intimated to Samuel from heaven. The future king of Israel was to fight the battles

1 Samuel 9:4 — 4, 5. he passed through mount Ephraim—This being situated on the north of Benjamin, indicates the direction of Saul's journey. The district explored means the whole of the mountainous region, with its valleys and defiles, which belonged to Ephraim. Turning