Bible Commentaries

Genesis 49:1 — inspired prophet, that attention is called in this chapter. Under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit he pronounced his prophetic benediction and described the condition of their respective descendants in the last days, or future times. Genesis 49:3; Genesis 49:4. REUBEN forfeited by his crime the rights and honors of primogeniture. His posterity never made any figure; no judge, prophet, nor ruler, sprang from this tribe. Genesis 49:4- :. SIMEON AND LEVI were associate in wickedness, and the

Psalms 45:6 — 6. No lawful construction can be devised to change the sense here given and sustained by the ancient versions, and above all by Paul ( :-). Of the perpetuity of this government, compare 2 Samuel 7:13; Psalms 10:16; Psalms 72:5; Psalms 89:4; Psalms 110:4; Isaiah 9:7.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 — 9. Two—opposed to "one" (Ecclesiastes 4:8). Ties of union, marriage, friendship, religious communion, are better than the selfish solitariness of the miser (Ecclesiastes 4:8- :). reward—Advantage accrues from their efforts being conjoined. The Talmud says, "A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right.

Isaiah 1:11 — 11. God does not here absolutely disparage sacrifice, which is as old and universal as sin (Genesis 3:21; Genesis 4:4), and sin is almost as old as the world; but sacrifice, unaccompanied with obedience of heart and life (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 50:9-13; Psalms 51:16-19; Hosea 6:6). Positive precepts are only means; moral obedience is the end. A foreshadowing of the

Jeremiah 17:16 — 16. I have not refused Thy call of me to be a prophet (Jonah 1:3), however painful to me it was to utter what would be sure to irritate the hearers (Jeremiah 1:4, c.). therefore Thou shouldest not forsake me (Jeremiah 1:4- :, c.). to follow thee—literally, "after thee" as an under-pastor following Thee, the Chief Shepherd (Ecclesiastes 12:11; 1 Peter 5:4). neither . . . desired—I have not wished for the day

Jeremiah 32:5 — 5. visit him—in a good sense (Jeremiah 27:22); referring to the honor paid Zedekiah at his death and burial (Jeremiah 34:4; Jeremiah 34:5). Perhaps, too, before his death he was treated by Nebuchadnezzar with some favor. though ye fight . . . shall not prosper— (Jeremiah 21:4).

Lamentations 5:6 — 6. given . . . hand to—in token of submission (see on :-). to . . . Egyptians—at the death of Josiah (2 Chronicles 36:3; 2 Chronicles 36:4). Assyrians—that is, the Chaldeans who occupied the empire which Assyria had held. So 2 Chronicles 36:4- :. to be satisfied with bread— (Deuteronomy 28:48).

Ezekiel 12:5 — 5. Dig—as Zedekiah was to escape like one digging through a wall, furtively to effect an escape (Ezekiel 12:12). carry out—namely, "thy stuff" (Ezekiel 12:4). thereby—by the opening in the wall. Zedekiah escaped "by the gate betwixt the two walls" (Jeremiah 39:4).

Ezekiel 20:30 — 30. The interrogation implies a strong affirmation, as in Ezekiel 20:4, "Are ye not polluted . . . ? Do ye not commit?" &c. Or, connecting this verse with Ezekiel 20:4- :, "Are ye thus polluted . . . and yet (do ye expect that) I shall be inquired of by you?"

Ezekiel 25 overview — CHAPTERS, (TWENTY-FIFTH THROUGH THIRTY-SECOND) EZEKIEL DENOUNCES JUDGMENTS ON THE HEATHEN WORLD KINGDOMS. If Israel was not spared, much less the heathen utterly corrupt, and having no mixture of truth, such as Israel in its worst state possessed (1 Peter 4:17; 1 Peter 4:18). Their ruin was to be utter: Israel's but temporary (1 Peter 4:18- :). The nations denounced are seven, the perfect number; implying that God's judgments would visit, not merely these, but the whole round of the heathen foes of God.

Ezekiel 4:9 — fitches—spelt or dhourra. three hundred and ninety—The forty days are omitted, since these latter typify the wilderness period when Israel stood separate from the Gentiles and their pollution, though partially chastened by stint of bread and water (Ezekiel 4:16), whereas the eating of the polluted bread in the three hundred ninety days implies a forced residence "among the Gentiles" who were polluted with idolatry (Ezekiel 4:13). This last is said of "Israel" primarily, as being the most debased (Ezekiel

Ezekiel 44:4 — 4-6. Directions as to the priests. Their acts of desecration are attributed to "the house of Israel" (Ezekiel 44:6; Ezekiel 44:7), as the sins of the priesthood and of the people acted and reacted on one another; "like people, like priest" (Jeremiah 5:31; Hosea 4:9).

Daniel 4:36 — instance in the cuneiform inscriptions occurs of a king recording his own inaction. my counsellors . . . sought unto me—desired to have me, as formerly, to be their head, wearied with the anarchy which prevailed in my absence (compare Note, see on Daniel 4:33); the likelihood of a conspiracy of the nobles is confirmed by this verse. majesty was added—My authority was greater than ever before (Job 42:12; Proverbs 22:4; "added," Proverbs 22:4- :).

Hosea 14:4 — 4. God's gracious reply to their self-condemning prayer. backsliding—apostasy: not merely occasional backslidings. God can heal the most desperate sinfulness [CALVIN]. freely—with a gratuitous, unmerited, and abundant love ( :-). So as to the spiritual Israel (John 15:16; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10).

Numbers 27:18 — 18. Take thee Joshua . . . a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him—A strong testimony is here borne to the personality of the divine Spirit—the imposition of hands was an ancient ceremony. (See Genesis 48:14; Leviticus 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:14).

Luke 1:79 — 79. (Compare Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:13-17). "That St. Luke, of all the Evangelists, should have obtained and recorded these inspired utterances of Zacharias and Mary—is in accordance with his character and habits, as indicated in Matthew 4:13-40.4.17- :" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

2 Corinthians 11:27 — 27. fastings—voluntary, in order to kindle devotions (Acts 13:2; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23; 1 Corinthians 9:27); for they are distinguished from "hunger and thirst," which were involuntary [GROTIUS]. However, see on 2 Corinthians 6:5. The context refers solely to hardships, not to self-imposed devotional mortification. "Hunger and thirst"

2 Corinthians 4:13 — withstanding the trials just mentioned, we having, &c. the same spirit of faith, according as it, &c.—Compare :-, on the usage of "spirit of faith." The Holy Spirit acting on our spirit. Though "death worketh in us, and life in you" (2 Corinthians 4:12), yet as we have the same spirit of faith as you, we therefore [believingly] look for the same immortal life as you [ESTIUS], and speak as we believe. ALFORD not so well translates, "The same . . . faith with that described in the Scriptures" (2

Colossians 4:14 — 14. It is conjectured that Luke "the beloved physician" (the same as the Evangelist), may have first become connected with Paul in professionally attending on him in the sickness under which he labored in Phrygia and Galatia (in which latter place he was

1 Thessalonians 4:14 — 14. For if—confirmation of his statement, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, that the removal of ignorance as to the sleeping believers would remove undue grief respecting them. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13- :, "hope." Hence it appears our hope rests on our faith ("if