Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 2:55 — 55. the families of the scribes—either civil or ecclesiastical officers of the Kenite origin, who are here classed with the tribe of Judah, not as being descended from it, but as dwelling within its territory, and in a measure incorporated with its people. Jabez—a place in Judah (1 Chronicles 4:9). Kenites that came of Hemath—who settled in Judah, and were thus distinguished from another division of the Kenite clan which dwelt in Manasseh (1 Chronicles 4:9- :).

Ezra 4:13 — 13. toll, tribute, and custom—The first was a poll tax; the second was a property tax; the third the excise dues on articles of trade and merchandise. Their letter, and the edict that followed, commanding an immediate cessation of the work at the city walls, form the exclusive subject of narrative at Ezra 4:7-23. And now from this digression [the historian] returns at Ezra 4:7-15.4.23- : to resume the thread of his narrative concerning the building of the temple.

Psalms 4:1-8 — Salmo 4 Sobre Neginoth, o sea, en instrumentos de cuerda, la clase de acompañamiento musical. Para lo demás del título, cf. la Introducción. La ocasión histórica probablemente fué la misma del anterior. El escritor, al pedir socorro de nuevo, advierte a sus

Psalms 87:1-7 — Salmo 87 Esta canción de triunfo fué ocasionada probablemente por el mismo evento que el del Salmo 46. El escritor celebra la gloria de la Iglesia, como el medio de las bendiciones a la nación. 1. su cimiento—de Dios, o lo que él ha fundado, a saber, Sión ( Isaías 14:32). es en los montes, etc.—Está en sus santos montes, la localidad de Sión, en el

Ecclesiastes 7:26 — 26. "I find" that, of all my sinful follies, none has been so ruinous a snare in seducing me from God as idolatrous women (1 Kings 11:3; 1 Kings 11:4; Proverbs 5:3; Proverbs 5:4; Proverbs 22:14). As "God's favor is better than life," she who seduces from God is "more bitter than death." whoso pleaseth God—as Joseph (Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:3; Genesis 39:9). It is God's grace alone that keeps any from falling.

Song of Solomon 1:11 — 11. We—the Trinity implied by the Holy Ghost, whether it was so by the writer of the Song or not (Genesis 1:26; Proverbs 8:30; Proverbs 30:4). "The Jews acknowledged God as king, and Messiah as king, in interpreting the Song, but did not know that these two are one" [LEIGHTON]. make—not merely give (Ephesians 2:10). borders of gold, with studs of silver—that is, "spots of silver"—Jesus

Isaiah 26:4 — 4. Lord JEHOVAH —Hebrew, Jah, Jehovah. The union of the two names expresses in the highest degree God's unchanging love and power (compare Psalms 68:4). This passage, and Isaiah 12:2; Exodus 6:3; Psalms 83:18, are the four in which the English Version retains the JEHOVAH of the original. MAURER translates, "For JAH (the eternal unchangeable One, Psalms 83:18- :) is JEHOVAH, the rock of ages" (compare Isaiah 45:17; Deuteronomy 32:15; 1 Samuel 2:2).

Isaiah 5:13 — 13. are gone—The prophet sees the future as if it were before his eyes. no knowledge—because of their foolish recklessness (Isaiah 5:12; Isaiah 1:3; Hosea 4:6; Luke 19:44). famished—awful contrast to their luxurious feasts (Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 5:12). multitude—plebeians in contradistinction to the "honorable men," or nobles. thirst— (Psalms 107:4; Psalms 107:5). Contrast to their drinking (Isaiah 5:11). In their deportation and exile, they shall hunger and thirst.

Hosea 8:12 — 12. great things of . . . law— (Deuteronomy 4:6; Deuteronomy 4:8; Psalms 19:8; Psalms 119:18; Psalms 119:72; Psalms 147:19; Psalms 147:20). MAURER not so well translates, "the many things of My law." my law—as opposed to their inventions. This reference of Hosea to the Pentateuch alone is against the theory that some earlier written prophecies have not come down to us. strange thing—as if a thing with which they had nothing to do.

Zechariah 8:21 — 21. Let us . . . I—manifesting zeal and love: converted themselves, they seek the conversion of others (Song of Solomon 1:4). To exhortation in general ("Let us go"), they add individual example ("I will go"). Or, the change from plural to singular implies that the general consent in religious earnestness leads each individual to decide for God. go speedily—literally, "go,

1 Corinthians 2:13 — conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" ( :-). WAHL (Key of the New Testament) translates, "explaining (as the Greek is translated, Genesis 40:8, the Septuagint) to spiritual (that is, Spirit-taught) men, spiritual things (the things which we ourselves are taught by the Spirit)." Spirit-taught men alone can comprehend spiritual truths. This accords with 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 2:9;

1 Corinthians 3:13 — 13. Every man's work—each teacher's superstructure on the foundation. the day—of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:8; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Thessalonians 5:4). The article is emphatic, "The day," that is, the great day of days, the long expected day. declare it—old English for "make it clear" (1 Thessalonians 5:4- :). it shall be revealed by fire—it, that is, "every man's work." Rather, "He," the Lord,

Colossians 3:15 — 15. peace of God—The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "The peace of CHRIST" (compare Philippians 4:7). "The peace of GOD." Therefore Christ is God. Peace was His legacy to His disciples before He left them (John 14:27), "MY peace I give unto you." Peace is peculiarly His to give. Peace follows love (Colossians 3:14; Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 4:3). rule—literally,

1 Thessalonians 1:5 — its Author and Sender. God's having made our preaching among you to be attended with such "power," is the proof that you are "elect of God" ( :-). in power—in the efficacy of the Holy Spirit clothing us with power (see end of verse; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:33; Acts 6:5; Acts 6:8) in preaching the Gospel, and making it in you the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). As "power" produces faith; so "the Holy Ghost," love; and "much assurance" (Romans 1:16- :, full persuasion), hope (Romans 1:16- :),

1 Timothy 2:8 — 8. I will—The active wish, or desire, is meant. that men—rather as Greek, "that the men," as distinguished from "the women," to whom he has something different to say from what he said to the men (1 Timothy 2:9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Corinthians 14:35). The emphasis, however, is not on this, but on the precept of praying, resumed from 1 Corinthians 14:35- :. everywhere—Greek, "in every place," namely, of public prayer. Fulfilling 1

Hebrews 4:15 — 15. For—the motive to "holding our profession" (Hebrews 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (Hebrews 4:14- :), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation.

Hebrews 4:6 — 6. it remaineth—still to be realized. some must enter—The denial of entrance to unbelievers is a virtual promise of entrance to those that believe. God wishes not His rest to be empty, but furnished with guests (Luke 14:23). they to whom it was first preached entered not—literally, "they who first (in the time of Moses) had the Gospel preached to them," namely, in type, see on Hebrews 4:2. unbelief—Greek, rather "disobedience" (see on Hebrews 4:2- :).

James 3:17 — sensual (animal), devilish" ( :-). This is put, "first of all," before "peaceable" because there is an unholy peace with the world which makes no distinction between clean and unclean. Compare "undefiled" and "unspotted from the world," James 1:27; James 4:4; James 4:8, "purify . . . hearts"; 1 Peter 1:22, "purified . . . souls" (the same Greek). Ministers must not preach before a purifying change of heart, "Peace," where there is no peace. Seven (the perfect number) characteristic peculiarities of true

Revelation 2:9 — the term "synagogue" was left altogether to the former, and Christians appropriated exclusively the honorable term "Church"; contrast an earlier time when the Jewish theocracy is called "the Church in the wilderness." Compare Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4, "congregation of the Lord." Even in Numbers 20:4- : it is "your (not the Lord's) assembly." The Jews, who might have been "the Church of God," had now, by their opposition and unbelief, become the synagogue of Satan. So "the throne of Satan" (Numbers

2 Samuel 9:1 — Saul—On inquiry, Saul's land steward was found, who gave information that there still survived Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan who was five years old at his father's death, and whom David, then wandering in exile, had never seen. His lameness (2 Samuel 4:4) had prevented him from taking any part in the public contests of the time. Besides, according to Oriental notions, the younger son of a crowned monarch has a preferable claim to the succession over the son of a mere heir-apparent; and hence his name