Bible Commentaries

Genesis 26:12 — skill and industry, was very productive (Isaiah 65:13; Psalms 37:19); and by his plentiful returns he increased so rapidly in wealth and influence that the Philistines, afraid or envious of his prosperity, obliged him to leave the place (Proverbs 27:4; Ecclesiastes 4:4). This may receive illustration from the fact that many Syrian shepherds at this day settle for a year or two in a place, rent some ground, in the produce of which they trade with the neighboring market, till the owners, through jealousy

Genesis 41:24 — 24. the thin ears devoured the seven good ears—devoured is a different word from that used in Genesis 41:4 and conveys the idea of destroying, by absorbing to themselves all the nutritious virtue of the soil around them. Genesis 41:4- :. JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH'S DREAMS.

Nehemiah 11:4 — 4. at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah—The discrepancy that is apparent between this [Nehemiah 11:4-36] and the list formerly given in Nehemiah 11:4-16.11.36- :, arose not only from the Jewish and Oriental practice of changing or modifying

Job 15:4 — 4. fear—reverence for God (Job 4:6; Psalms 2:11). prayer—meditation, in Psalms 104:34; so devotion. If thy views were right, reasons Eliphaz, that God disregards the afflictions of the righteous and makes the wicked to prosper, all devotion would be at an end.

Job 21:7 — 7. The answer is Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16; Psalms 73:18; Ecclesiastes 8:11-13; Luke 2:35; Proverbs 16:4; Romans 9:22. old—in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12; Job 8:14).

Psalms 15:1 — 1. abide—or, "sojourn" (compare Psalms 5:4), where it means under God's protection here, as (Psalms 23:6; Psalms 27:4; Psalms 27:6) communion. tabernacle—seat of the ark (2 Samuel 6:17), the symbol of God's presence. holy hill—(Compare 2 Samuel 6:17- :).

Psalms 32:6 — 6. For this—that is, my happy experience. godly—pious in the sense of Psalms 4:3. a time— (Psalms 4:3- :); when God's Spirit inclines us to seek pardon, He is ready to forgive. floods, c.—denotes great danger (Psalms 18:17 Psalms 66:12).

Isaiah 26:21 — 21. (Micah 1:3; Judges 1:14). disclose . . . blood— (Genesis 4:10; Genesis 4:11; Job 16:18; Ezekiel 24:7; Ezekiel 24:8). All the innocent blood shed, and all other wrongs done, so long seemingly with impunity, shall then be avenged (Revelation 16:6).

Isaiah 33:22 — 22. Lord—thrice repeated, as often: the Trinity ( :-). judge . . . lawgiver . . . king—perfect ideal of the theocracy, to be realized under Messiah alone; the judicial, legislative, and administrative functions as king to be exercised by Him in person (Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 32:1; James 4:12).

Isaiah 40:24 — 24. they—the "princes and judges" (Isaiah 40:23) who oppose God's purposes and God's people. Often compared to tall trees (Psalms 37:35; Daniel 4:10). not . . . sown—the seed, that is, race shall become extinct (Daniel 4:10- :). stock—not even shall any

Jeremiah 23:11 — 11. profane— (Ezekiel 23:39; Zephaniah 3:4). in my house— (Zephaniah 3:4- :). They built altars to idols in the very temple (2 Kings 23:12; Ezekiel 8:3-16). Compare as to covetousness under the roof of the sanctuary, Matthew 21:13; John 2:16.

Jeremiah 32:12 — 12. Baruch—Jeremiah's amanuensis and agent (Jeremiah 36:4, c.). before all—In sales everything clandestine was avoided publicity was required. So here, in the court of prison, where Jeremiah was confined, there were soldiers and others, who had free access to him, present (Jeremiah 36:4- :).

Jeremiah 5:7 — 7. It would not be consistent with God's holiness to let such wickedness pass unpunished. sworn by— (Jeremiah 5:2; Jeremiah 4:2); that is, worshipped. no gods— (Jeremiah 4:2- :). fed . . . to the full—so the Keri (Hebrew Margin) reads. God's bountifulness is contrasted with their apostasy (Jeremiah 4:2- :). Prosperity, the gift of God, designed to lead men to Him, often

Ezekiel 1:24 — 24. voice of . . . Almighty—the thunder (Psalms 29:3; Psalms 29:4). voice of speech—rather, "the voice" or "sound of tumult," as in Jeremiah 11:16. From an Arabic root, meaning the "impetuous rush of heavy rain." noise of . . . host— (Isaiah 13:4; Daniel 10:6).

Matthew 23:2 — 2. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit—The Jewish teachers stood to read, but sat to expound the Scriptures, as will be seen by comparing Luke 4:16; Luke 4:20. in Moses' seat—that is, as interpreters of the law given by Moses.

1 Corinthians 1:6 — Timothy 2:6; 2 Timothy 1:8) was confirmed among [ALFORD] you; that is, by God, through my preaching and through the miracles accompanying it (1 Corinthians 12:3; Mark 16:20; 2 Corinthians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 3:2; Galatians 3:5; Ephesians 4:7; Ephesians 4:8; Hebrews 2:4). God confirmed (compare Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 2:3), or gave effect to the Gospel among (or better as English Version, "in") the Corinthians by their accepting it and setting their seal to its truth, through the inward

1 Corinthians 2:4 — 4. my speech—in private. preaching—in public [BENGEL]. ALFORD explains it, My discourse on doctrines, and my preaching or announcement of facts. enticing—rather, "persuasive." man's wisdom—man's is omitted in the oldest authorities. Still "wisdom"

2 Corinthians 1:6 — mirrors reflecting the likenesses of each other (Philippians 2:26; Philippians 2:27) [BENGEL]. Alike the afflictions and the consolations of the apostle tend, as in him so in them, as having communion with him, to their consolation (2 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:15). The Greek for "afflicted" is the same as before, and ought to be translated, "Whether we be in tribulation." which is effectual—literally, "worketh effectually." in the enduring, &c.—that is, in enabling you to endure "the

Hebrews 10:32 — 32. As previously he has warned them by the awful end of apostates, so here he stirs them up by the remembrance of their own former faith, patience, and self-sacrificing love. So Revelation 2:3; Revelation 2:4. call to remembrance—habitually: so the present tense means. illuminated—"enlightened": come to "the knowledge of the truth" (Revelation 2:4- :) in connection with baptism (see on Revelation 2:4- :). In spiritual baptism, Christ, who is "the Light," is

Hebrews 12:9 — [BENGEL]. As "Father of spirits," He is both the Originator, and the Providential and Gracious Sustainer, at once of animal and spiritual life. Compare "and LIVE," namely, spiritually; also :-, "that we might be partakers of His holiness" (2 Peter 1:4). God is a spirit Himself, and the Creator of spirits like Himself, in contrast to men who are flesh, and the progenitors of flesh (2 Peter 1:4- :). Jesus our pattern "learned obedience" experimentally by suffering (2 Peter 1:4- :). and live—and so, thereby