Bible Commentaries

Job 33:23 — 23. Elihu refers to himself as the divinely-sent (Job 32:8; Job 33:6) "messenger," the "interpreter" to explain to Job and vindicate God's righteousness; such a one Eliphaz had denied that Job could look for (Job 5:1), and Job (Job 5:1- :) had wished for such a "daysman" or umpire between him and God. The "messenger" of good is antithetical to the "destroyers" (Job 5:1- :). with him—if there be vouchsafed to the sufferer. The office of the interpreter is stated

Psalms 16:8 — 8. With God's presence and aid he is sure of safety (Psalms 10:6; Psalms 15:5; John 12:27; John 12:28; Hebrews 5:7; Hebrews 5:8).

Psalms 46:5 — 5. right early—literally, "at the turn of morning," or change from night to day, a critical time (Psalms 30:5; compare Psalms 30:5- :).

Song of Solomon 7:9 — 9. roof of thy mouth—thy voice (Proverbs 15:23). best wine—the new wine of the gospel kingdom (Proverbs 15:23- :), poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:4; Acts 2:13; Acts 2:17). for my beloved— (Acts 2:17- :). Here first the daughters call Him theirs, and become one with the bride. The steps successively

Isaiah 22:9 — 9. Ye have seen—rather, "Ye shall see." city of David—the upper city, on Zion, the south side of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 8:1); surrounded by a wall of its own; but even in it there shall be "breaches." Hezekiah's preparations for defense accord with this (2 Chronicles 32:5). ye gathered—rather, "ye shall gather." lower pool—(See on 2 Chronicles

Jeremiah 12:10 — 10. pastors—the Babylonian leaders (compare Jeremiah 12:12; Jeremiah 6:3). my vineyard— (Isaiah 5:1; Isaiah 5:5). trodden my portion— (Isaiah 63:18).

Jeremiah 25:20 — under Pharaoh-hophra in the time of Jeremiah. The employment of these foreigners provoked the native Egyptians to overthrow him. Psammetichus, father of Pharaoh-necho, also had given a settlement in Egypt to Ionian and Carian adventurers [HERODOTUS, 2.152, 154]. (Compare Jeremiah 50:37; Isaiah 19:2; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 20:1; Ezekiel 30:5; see on Ezekiel 30:5- :; Jeremiah 50:37; Isaiah 19:2; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 20:1; Ezekiel 30:5. The term is first found in Ezekiel 30:5- :. Uz—in the geographical order

Jeremiah 9:6 — 6. Thine—God addresses Jeremiah, who dwelt in the midst of deceitful men. refuse to know me—Their ignorance of God is wilful (Jeremiah 9:3; Jeremiah 5:4; Jeremiah 5:5).

Daniel 2:8 — 8. gain . . . time—literally, "buy." Compare Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5, where the sense is somewhat different. the thing is gone from me—(See on Daniel 2:5).

Habakkuk 2:5 — 5. Yea also, because—additional reason why the Jews may look for God punishing their Chaldean foe, namely, because . . . he is a proud man—rather, this clause continues the reason for the Jews expecting the punishment of the Chaldeans, "because he transgresseth

Matthew 9:13 — pharisaical religionists did, and this is what our Lord here exposes. for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance —The italicized words are of doubtful authority here, and more than doubtful authority in Mark 2:17; but in Luke 5:32 they are undisputed. We have here just the former statement stripped of its figure. "The righteous" are the whole; "sinners," the sick. When Christ "called" the latter, as He did Matthew, and probably some of those publicans and sinners whom he had invited

Mark 2:12 — marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men." At forgiving power they wondered not, but that a man, to all appearance like one of themselves, should possess it! :-. LEVI'S (OR MATTHEW'S) CALL AND FEAST. ( = Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32). See on Luke 5:27-42.5.32- :. Luke 5:27-42.5.32- :. DISCOURSE ON FASTING. ( = Matthew 9:14-17; Luke 5:33-39). See on Luke 5:33-42.5.39- :. Luke 5:33-42.5.39- :. PLUCKING CORN-EARS ON THE SABBATH DAY. ( = Matthew 12:1-8; Luke 6:1-5). See

Mark 4:5 — 5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth—"the rocky ground"; in Matthew (Matthew 13:5), "the rocky places"; in Luke (Matthew 13:5- :), "the rock." The thing intended is, not ground with stones in it which would not prevent the roots striking downward, but ground where a quite thin surface of earth covers a rock. What means this? See on Matthew 13:5- :. Third Case: THE THORNY GROUND. (Mark 4:7; Mark 4:18; Mark 4:19).

Romans 8:4 — righteousness of the law—"the righteous demand," "the requirement" [ALFORD], Or "the precept" of the law; for it is not precisely the word so often used in this Epistle to denote "the righteousness which justifies" (Romans 1:17; Romans 3:21; Romans 4:5; Romans 4:6; Romans 5:17; Romans 5:18; Romans 5:21), but another form of the same word, intended to express the enactment of the law, meaning here, we believe, the practical obedience which the law calls for. might be fulfilled in us—or, as we say,

1 Corinthians 10:12 — 12. thinketh he standeth—stands and thinks that he stands [BENGEL]; that is, stands "by faith . . . well pleasing" to God; in contrast to 1 Corinthians 10:5, "with many of them God was not well pleased" (1 Corinthians 10:5- :). fall—from his place in the Church of God (compare 1 Corinthians 10:5- :, "fell"). Both temporally and spiritually (1 Corinthians 10:5- :). Our security, so far as relates to God, consists in faith; so far as relates to ourselves, it consists in fear.

1 Timothy 5:7 — 7. these things—just now spoken (1 Timothy 5:5; 1 Timothy 5:6). that they may be blameless—namely, the widows supported by the Church.

Titus 2:5 — 5. keepers at home—as "guardians of the house," as the Greek expresses. The oldest manuscripts read, "Workers at home": active in household duties (Proverbs 7:11; 1 Timothy 5:13). good—kind, beneficent (Matthew 20:15; Romans 5:7; 1 Peter 2:18). Not

James 1:19 — 19. Wherefore—as your evil is of yourselves, but your good from God. However, the oldest manuscripts and versions read thus: "YE KNOW IT (so Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 12:17), my beloved brethren; BUT (consequently) let every man be swift to hear," that is, docile in receiving "the word of truth" (James 1:18; James 1:21). The true method of hearing is treated in James 1:21-27; James 2:1-26. slow to speak—

2 Peter 2:19 — . liberty—(Christian)—These promises are instances of their "great swelling words" ( :-). The liberty which they propose is such as fears not Satan, nor loathes the flesh. Pauline language, adopted by Peter here, and 1 Peter 2:16; see on 1 Peter 2:16- :; (compare 2 Peter 3:15; Romans 6:16-22; Romans 8:15; Romans 8:21; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 5:13; compare Galatians 5:13- :). corruption—(See on Galatians 5:13- :); "destroyed . . . perish . . . corruption." of whom—"by whatever . . . by the same," &c.

1 John 5:9 — basis of the testimony of the water and the blood" [BENGEL]. for—This principle applies in the present case, FOR, c. which—in the oldest manuscripts, "because He hath given testimony concerning His Son." What that testimony is we find above in 1 John 5:1 1 John 5:5, "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God"; and below in 1 John 5:10; 1 John 5:11.