Bible Commentaries

2 Kings 25:3 — prevailed—In consequence of the close and protracted blockade, the inhabitants were reduced to dreadful extremities; and under the maddening influence of hunger, the most inhuman atrocities were perpetrated (Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 2:22; Lamentations 4:9; Lamentations 4:10; Ezekiel 5:10). This was a fulfilment of the prophetic denunciations threatened on the apostasy of the chosen people (Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53-57; Jeremiah 15:2; Jeremiah 27:13; Ezekiel 4:16). Ezekiel 4:16- :. ZEDEKIAH TAKEN.

Proverbs 28:19 — 19. (Compare Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 20:4). vain persons—idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 26:4).

Song of Solomon 1:3 — 3. Rather, "As regards the savor of thy ointments, it is good" [MAURER]. In Song of Solomon 4:10; Song of Solomon 4:11, the Bridegroom reciprocates the praise of the bride in the same terms. thy name—Christ's character and office as the "Anointed" (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 61:1), as "the savor of ointments" are the graces that surround His person (Psalms

Song of Solomon 1:4 — 4. (1) The cry of ancient Israel for Messiah, for example, Simeon, Anna, c. (2) The cry of an awakened soul for the drawing of the Spirit, after it has got a glimpse of Christ's loveliness and its own helplessness. Draw me—The Father draws (John 6:44).

Song of Solomon 2:17 — this verse of the approach of night, when the breeze arises after the heat of day (compare Romans 13:12- :, Margin, with Romans 13:12- :), and the "shadows" are lost in night (Romans 13:12- :); thus our life will be the day; death, the night (John 9:4). The English Version better accords with (John 9:4- :). "By night" (John 9:4- :). turn—to me. Bether—Mountains of Bithron, separated from the rest of Israel by the Jordan (John 9:4- :), not far from Bethabara, where John baptized and Jesus was first

Song of Solomon 8:14 — 14. (See on :-). As she began with longing for His first coming ( :-), so she ends with praying for His second coming (Psalms 130:6; Philippians 3:20; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 22:20). MOODY STUART makes the roe upon spices to be the musk deer. As

Isaiah 13:11 — 11. world—the impious of the world (compare Isaiah 11:4). arrogancy—Babylon's besetting sin (Daniel 4:22; Daniel 4:30). the terrible—rather, tyrants [HORSLEY].

Isaiah 3:24 — 24. stink—arising from ulcers (Zechariah 14:12). girdle—to gird up the loose Eastern garments, when the person walked. rent—the Septuagint, better, a "rope," an emblem of poverty; the poor have nothing else to gird up their clothes with. well-set

Isaiah 3:5 — 5. The anarchy resulting under such imbecile rulers (Isaiah 3:4); unjust exactions mutually; the forms of respect violated (Isaiah 3:4- :). base—low-born. Compare the marks of "the last days" (Isaiah 3:4- :).

Isaiah 44:6 — 6. Here follows an argument for Jehovah, as the only God, and against the idols, as vanity (see on Isaiah 44:4; Isaiah 44:4- :; Isaiah 44:4).

Isaiah 5:19 — 19. work—vengeance ( :-). Language of defiance to God. So Lamech's boast of impunity (Genesis 4:23; Genesis 4:24; compare Jeremiah 17:15; 2 Peter 3:3; 2 Peter 3:4). counsel—God's threatened purpose to punish.

Isaiah 52:11 — 11. (Isaiah 48:20; Zechariah 2:6; Zechariah 2:7). Long residence in Babylon made many loath to leave it: so as to mystical Babylon (Revelation 18:4). ye . . . that bear . . . vessels of the Lord—the priests and Levites, whose office it was to carry the vessels

Isaiah 61:2 — 2. acceptable year—the year of jubilee on which "liberty was proclaimed to the captives" (Isaiah 61:1; 2 Corinthians 6:2). day of vengeance—The "acceptable time of grace" is a "year"; the time of "vengeance" but "a day" (so Isaiah 34:8; Isaiah 63:4; Malachi 4:1). Jesus (Luke 4:20; Luke 4:21) "closed the book" before this clause; for the interval from His first to His second coming is "the acceptable year"; the day of vengeance" will not be till He comes again (Luke 4:21- :). our

Ezekiel 20:41 — 41. with—that is, in respect to your sweet savor (literally, "savor of rest," see on :-). Or, I will accept you (your worship) "as a sweet savor" [MAURER], (Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 4:18). God first accepts the person in Messiah, then the offering (Ezekiel

Daniel 7:4 — 4. lion—the symbol of strength and courage; chief among the kingdoms, as the lion among the beasts. Nebuchadnezzar is called "the lion" ( :-). eagle's wings—denoting a widespread and rapidly acquired (Isaiah 46:11; Jeremiah 4:13; Lamentations 4:19; Habakkuk

Micah 4:12 — Lord—Their unsearchable wisdom, overruling seeming disaster to the final good of His people, is the very ground on which the restoration of Israel hereafter (of which the restoration from Babylon is a type) is based in Isaiah 55:8; compare with Micah 4:3; Micah 4:12; Micah 4:13, which prove that Israel, not merely the Christian Church, is the ultimate subject of the prophecy; also in Micah 4:13- :. God's counsel is to discipline His people for a time with the foe as a scourge; and then to destroy

Mark 4:3 — 3. Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow—What means this? See on :-. First Case: THE WAYSIDE. (Mark 4:4; Mark 4:15).

2 Corinthians 11:8 — 8. I robbed—that is, took from them in order to spare you more than what was their fair share of contribution to my maintenance, for example, the Philippian Church (Philippians 4:15; Philippians 4:16). wages—"subsidy." to do you service—Greek, "with a view to ministration to you"; compare "supplied" (Greek, "in addition"), Philippians 4:16- :, implying, he brought with him from the Macedonians, supplies towards his maintenance

Ephesians 3:18 — "May be fully able." breadth . . . length . . . depth . . . height—namely, the full dimensions of the spiritual temple, answering to "the fulness of God" ( :-), to which the Church, according to its capacity, ought to correspond (compare Ephesians 4:10; Ephesians 4:13) as to "the fulness of Christ." The "breadth" implies Christ's world-wide love, embracing all men: the "length," its being extended through all ages (Ephesians 4:13- :); the "depth," its profound wisdom which no creature can fathom

Colossians 3:10 — knowledge—rather as the Greek, "unto perfect knowledge" (see on :-; Colossians 1:9). Perfect knowledge of God excludes all sin (Colossians 1:9- :). after the image of him that created him—namely, of God that created the new man (Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:24). The new creation is analogous to the first creation (Ephesians 4:24- :). As man was then made in the image of God naturally, so now spiritually. But the image of God formed in us by the Spirit of God, is as much more glorious than that borne by