Bible Commentaries

2 Chronicles 36:9 — 9, 10. Jehoiachin was eight years old—called also Jeconiah or Coniah ( :-) —"eight" should have been "eighteen," as appears from 2 Kings 24:8, and also from the full development of his ungodly principles and habits (see Ezekiel 19:5-7). His reign being of so short duration cannot be considered at variance with the prophetic denunciation against his father (Ezekiel 19:5-26.19.7- :). But his appointment by the people gave umbrage to Nebuchadnezzar, who, "when the year was expired"

Psalms 92:10 — 10. horn . . . exalt—is to increase power (Psalms 75:5). anointed . . . fresh—or, "new" oil— (Psalms 75:5- :) a figure for refreshment (compare Psalms 75:5- :). Such use of oil is still common in the East.

Proverbs 22:22 — 22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Proverbs 17:5; Psalms 12:5). in the gate—place of public gathering (Job 5:4; Psalms 69:12).

Song of Solomon 5:7 — 7. watchmen—historically, the Jewish priests, c. (see on Song of Solomon 5:2) spiritually, ministers (Isaiah 62:6; Hebrews 13:17), faithful in "smiting" (Psalms 141:5), but (as she leaves them, Song of Solomon 5:8) too harsh; or, perhaps, unfaithful; disliking her zeal wherewith she sought Jesus Christ, first, with spiritual

Isaiah 26:7 — 7. uprightness—rather, "is direct," that is, is directed by God to a prosperous issue, however many be their afflictions in the meantime (as in the case of the Jewish exiles); the context requires this sense (Psalms 34:19; Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5), [MAURER]: thus "way" means God's dealings with the righteous (Proverbs 11:5- :). most upright— (Proverbs 11:5- :). dost weigh— (1 Samuel 2:3; Proverbs 5:21). Rather, "thou dost make plain and level" [MAURER], removing all obstacles (Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah

Isaiah 5:12 — 12. Music was common at ancient feasts (Isaiah 24:8; Isaiah 24:9; Amos 6:5; Amos 6:6). viol—an instrument with twelve strings [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 8.10]. tabret—Hebrew, toph, from the use of which in drowning the cries of children sacrificed to Moloch, Tophet received its name. Arabic, duf. A kettle drum, or tambourine.

Isaiah 53:6 — 6. Penitent confession of believers and of Israel in the last days ( :-). sheep . . . astray— (Psalms 119:176; 1 Peter 2:25). The antithesis is, "In ourselves we were scattered; in Christ we are collected together; by nature we wander, driven headlong to destruction; in Christ we find the way to the gate of life" [CALVIN]. True, also, literally of Israel before its coming

Isaiah 61:6 — need to attend to your flocks and lands: strangers will do that for you; your exclusive business will be the service of Jehovah as His "priests" (Exodus 19:6, which remains yet to be realized; compare as to the spiritual Israel, Isaiah 66:21; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10). Ministers— (Revelation 5:10- :). eat . . . riches of . . . Gentiles— (Revelation 5:10- :). in their glory . . . boast yourselves—rather, "in their splendor ye shall be substituted in their stead";

Isaiah 9:5 — 5. every battle, c.—rather, "every greave of (the warrior who is) armed with greaves in the din of battle, and the martial garment (or cloak, called by the Latins sagum) rolled in blood, shall be for burning, (and) fuel for fire" [MAURER]. All warlike

Jeremiah 17:15 — 15. Where is the word?— (Isaiah 5:19; Amos 5:18). Where is the fulfilment of the threats which thou didst utter as from God? A characteristic of the last stage of apostasy (Amos 5:18- :).

Jeremiah 36:28 — 28. all the former words—It is in vain that the ungodly resist the power of Jehovah: not one of His words shall fall to the ground (Matthew 5:18; Acts 9:5; Acts 5:39).

Hosea 4:15 — 15. Though Israel's ten tribes indulge in spiritual harlotry, at least thou, Judah, who hast the legal priesthood, and the temple rites, and Jerusalem, do not follow her bad example. Gilgal—situated between Jordan and Jericho on the confines of Samaria;

Zechariah 1:9 — me—not the "man upon the red horse," as is evident from :-, where he (the Divine Angel) is distinguished from the "angel that talked with me" (the phrase used of him, Zechariah 1:13; Zechariah 1:14; Zechariah 2:3; Zechariah 4:1; Zechariah 4:4; Zechariah 4:5; Zechariah 5:5; Zechariah 5:10; Zechariah 6:4), that is, the interpreting angel. The Hebrew for "with me," or, "in me" (Zechariah 6:4- :), implies internal, intimate communication [JEROME]. show thee—reveal to thy mental vision.

John 11:17 — 17-19. when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days—If he died on the day the tidings came of his illness—and was, according to the Jewish custom, buried the same day (see JAHN'S Archæology, and John 11:39; Acts 5:5; Acts 5:6; Acts 5:10) —and if Jesus, after two days' further stay in Perea, set out on the day following for Bethany, some ten hours' journey, that would make out the four days; the first and last being incomplete [MEYER].

2 Corinthians 13:3 — 3. Since—The reason why he will not spare: Since ye challenge me to give a "proof" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would "prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). This disproves the assertion of some that Scripture nowhere asserts the infallibility of its writers when writing it. which—"who" (Christ). is not weak—in relation to you, by me and in this very Epistle, in exercising upon you strong discipline.

2 Corinthians 7:5 — 5. Greek, "For also" (for "even"). This verse is thus connected with 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 2:13, "When I came to Troas, I had no rest in my spirit"; so "also" now, when I came to Macedonia, my "flesh" had no rest (he, by

Joshua 21:4 — priesthood, and all the rest were ranked in the common order of Levites. The first lot was drawn by the Kohathites; and the first of theirs again by the priests, to whom thirteen cities were granted, and ten to the rest of the Kohathites (Joshua 21:5); thirteen to the Gershonites (Joshua 21:5- :), and twelve to the Merarites (Joshua 21:5- :). Joshua 21:5- :. THE CITIES OF THE PRIESTS.

2 Timothy 2:12 — suffer—rather, as the Greek is the same as in :-, "If we endure (with Him)" ( :-). reign with him—The peculiar privilege of the elect Church now suffering with Christ, then to reign with Him (see on :-). Reigning is something more than mere salvation (Romans 5:17; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:5). deny—with the mouth. As "believe" with the heart follows, Revelation 20:5- :. Compare the opposite, "confess with thy mouth" and "believe in thine heart" (Romans 10:9; Romans

2 Timothy 2:22 — 22. Flee—There are many lusts from which our greatest safety is in flight ( :-). Avoid occasions of sin. From the abstemious character of Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23) it is likely that not animal indulgences, but the impetuosity, rash self-confidence, hastiness, strife, and vainglory of young men (1 Timothy 5:23- :), are what he is here warned against: though the Spirit probably intended the warning to include

1 John 4:4 — 4. Ye—emphatical: YE who confess Jesus: in contrast to "them," the false teachers. overcome them— (1 John 5:4; 1 John 5:5); instead of being "overcome and brought into (spiritual) bondage" by them (2 Peter 2:19). John 10:8; John 10:5, "the sheep did not hear them": "a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." he that is in you—God, of whom ye are. he that is in the word—the spirit of Antichrist, the devil, "the prince of this world."