Bible Commentaries

Exodus 3:10 — we might have anticipated that no mission could have been more welcome to his heart than to be employed in the national emancipation of Israel. But he evinced great reluctance to it and stated a variety of objections [Exodus 3:11; Exodus 3:13; Exodus 4:1; Exodus 4:10] all of which were successfully met and removed—and the happy issue of his labors was minutely described.

Exodus 5:1 — and when to seek it. and told Pharaoh—When introduced, they delivered a message in the name of the God of Israel. This is the first time He is mentioned by that national appellation in Scripture. It seems to have been used by divine direction (Exodus 4:2) and designed to put honor on the Hebrews in their depressed condition (Exodus 4:2- :).

Job 21:29 — his calamities prove his guilt, begs them to ask the opinion of travellers (Lamentations 1:12), who have the experience drawn from observation, and who are no way connected with him. Job opposes this to Bildad (Lamentations 1:12- :) and Zophar (Job 20:4). tokens—rather, "intimations" (for example, inscriptions, proverbs, signifying the results of their observation), testimony. Literally, "signs" or proofs in confirmation of the word spoken (Job 20:4- :).

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 8:16 — 16. before the sun—that is, he (the godless) is green only before the sun rises; but he cannot bear its heat, and withers. So succulent plants like the gourd (Jonah 4:7; Jonah 4:8). But the widespreading in the garden does not quite accord with this. Better, "in sunshine"; the sun representing the smiling fortune of the hypocrite, during which he wondrously progresses [UMBREIT]. The image is that of weeds growing

Isaiah 23:4 — 4. Zidon—called on, as being the parent country of Tyre ( :-), and here equivalent to Phoelignicia in general, to feel the shame (as it was esteemed in the East) of being now as childless as if she never had any. "I (no more now) travail, nor bring forth," c. "Strength of the sea," that is, stronghold, namely, New Tyre, on a rock (as "Tyre" means) surrounded by the sea (Ezekiel 26:4 Ezekiel 26:14-17; so Venice was called "Bride of the sea"; Ezekiel 26:14-26.26.17- :).

Isaiah 28:28 — Bread corn—corn of which bread is made. bruised—threshed with the corn-drag (as contrasted with dill and cummin, "beaten with the staff"), or, "trodden out" by the hoofs of cattle driven over it on the threshing-floor [G. V. SMITH], (Deuteronomy 25:4; Micah 4:13). because—rather, "but" [HORSLEY]; though the corn is threshed with the heavy instrument, yet he will not always be thus threshing it. break it—"drive over it (continually) the wheel" [MAURER]. cart—threshing-drag. horsemen—rather, "horses";

Isaiah 42:20 — 20. observest—Thou dost not keep them. The "many things" are the many proofs which all along from the first God had given Israel of His goodness and His power (Deuteronomy 4:32-38; Deuteronomy 29:2-4; Psalms 78:1-72; Psalms 105:1-45). he—transition from the second to the third person. "Opening . . . ears," that is, though he (Israel) hath his ears open (see on Psalms 105:1-19.105.45- :). This language, too (see on Psalms

Isaiah 49:21 — 21. Who, c.—Zion's joyful wonder at the unexpected restoration of the ten tribes. Secondarily, the accession of spiritual Israelites to the mother church of Jerusalem from the Gentiles is meant. This created surprise at first (Acts 10:45 Acts 14:27; Acts 15:3; Acts 15:4). lost . . . am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro—rather, "bereaved of . . . have been barren, an exile and outcast" [HORSLEY]. She had been "put away" by Jehovah, her husband (Acts 15:4- :); hence her wonder

Ezekiel 12:12 — 12. prince . . . among them—literally, "that is in the midst of them," that is, on whom the eyes of all are cast, and "under whose shadow" they hope to live (Lamentations 4:20). shall bear—namely, his "stuff for removing"; his equipments for his journey. cover his face, that he see not the ground—See on Lamentations 4:20- :; the symbol in Ezekiel 12:6 is explained in this verse. He shall muffle his face so as not to be recognized: a humiliation for a king!

Ezekiel 17:5 — 5. seed of the land—not a foreign production, but one native in the region; a son of the soil, not a foreigner: Zedekiah, uncle of Jehoiachin, of David's family. in a fruitful field—literally, a "field of seed"; that is, fit for propagating and continuing the seed of the royal family. as a willow—derived from a Hebrew root, "to overflow," from its fondness for water (Isaiah 44:4). Judea was "a land of brooks of water and fountains" (Isaiah 44:4- :; compare John 3:23).

Ezekiel 34:16 — 16. In contrast to the unfaithful shepherds (Ezekiel 34:4). The several duties neglected by them I will faithfully discharge. fat . . . strong—that is, those rendered wanton by prosperity (Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 5:28), who use their strength to oppress the weak. Compare Jeremiah 5:28- :, "the fat

Daniel 3:17 — 17. If it be so—VATABLUS translates, "Assuredly." English Version agrees better with the original. The sense is, If it be our lot to be cast into the furnace, our God (quoted from :-) is able to deliver us (a reply to Nebuchadnezzar's challenge, "Who is that God that shall deliver you?"); and He will deliver us (either from death, or in death, 2 Timothy 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:18). He will, we trust, literally deliver us, but certainly He will do so spiritually.

Numbers 7:6 — coverings and hangings (the light but precious and richly-embroidered drapery, [ :-]) the former were appointed to transport all the heavy and bulky materials (the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets) in short, all the larger articles of furniture [Numbers 4:31; Numbers 4:32]. Whoever thinks only of the enormous weight of metal, the gold, silver, brass, c., that were on the bases, chapiters, and pillars, &c., will probably come to the conclusion that four wagons and eight oxen were not nearly sufficient

John 6:44 — 44. can come to me—in the sense of John 6:35. except the Father which hath sent me—that is, the Father as the Sender of Me and to carry out the design of My mission. draw him—by an internal and efficacious operation; though by all the means of rational conviction, and in a way altogether consonant to their moral nature (Song of Solomon 1:4; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:3; Hosea 11:4). raise him up, &c.—(See on John 6:54).

Acts 24:17 — 17. Now after many—several years absence from Jerusalem—I came to bring alms to my of Macedonia and Greece, which he had taken such pains to gather. This only allusion in the Acts to what is dwelt upon so frequently in his own Epistles (Romans 15:25; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4), throws a beautiful light on the truth of this History. (See PALEY'S Horæ Paulinæ). and offerings—connected with his Jewish vow: see Acts 24:18.

2 Corinthians 5 overview — CHAPTER 5 :-. THE HOPE (2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 4:18) OF ETERNAL GLORY IN THE RESURRECTION BODY. Hence arises his ambition to be accepted at the Lord's coming judgment. Hence, too, his endeavor to deal openly with men, as with God, in preaching; thus giving the Corinthians whereof

Galatians 4:31 — 31. So then—The oldest manuscripts read, "Wherefore." This is the conclusion inferred from what precedes. In Galatians 3:29; Galatians 4:7, it was established that we, New Testament believers, are "heirs." If, then, we are heirs, "we are not children of the bond woman (whose son, according to Scripture, was 'not to be heir,' Galatians 4:7- :), but of the free woman (whose son was, according to Scripture, to be heir). For we are not "cast out" as Ishmael, but accepted as sons and heirs.

1 John 2:23 — 23. Greek, "Every one who denieth the Son, hath not the Father either" (1 John 4:2; 1 John 4:3): "inasmuch as God hath given Himself to us wholly to be enjoyed in Christ" [CALVIN]. he—that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. These words ought not to be in italics, as though they were not in the original: for the oldest Greek manuscripts have them. hath—namely, in his abiding possession as his "portion"; by living personal "fellowship." acknowledgeth—by open confession of Christ.

1 John 4:14 — 14. And we—primarily, we apostles, Christ's appointed eye-witnesses to testify to the facts concerning Him. The internal evidence of the indwelling Spirit (1 John 4:13) is corroborated by the external evidence of the eye-witnesses to the fact of the Father having