Bible Commentaries

Exodus 7:4 — 4, 5. I may lay mine hand upon Egypt, &c.—The succession of terrible judgments with which the country was about to be scourged would fully demonstrate the supremacy of Israel's God.

1 Kings 4:21 — 21. Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river—All the petty kingdoms between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean were tributary to him. Similar is the statement in 1 Kings 4:24.

Esther 8:4 — 4. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther—in token that her request was accepted, and that she needed no longer to maintain the humble attitude of a suppliant.

Job 19:4 — 4.erred—The Hebrew expresses unconscious error. Job was unconscious of wilful sin. remaineth—literally, "passeth the night." An image from harboring an unpleasant guest for the night. I bear the consequences.

Psalms 122:4 — 4. testimony—If "unto" is supplied, this may denote the ark ( :-); otherwise the act of going is denoted, called a testimony in allusion to the requisition ( :-), with which it was a compliance.

Psalms 24:4 — 4. lifted up his soul—is to set the affections (Psalms 25:1) on an object; here, vanity—or, any false thing, of which swearing falsely, or to falsehood, is a specification.

Psalms 69:28 — 28. book of the living—or "life," with the next clause, a figurative mode of representing those saved, as having their names in a register (compare Exodus 32:32; Isaiah 4:3).

Proverbs 10:2 — 2. Treasures . . . nothing—that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Proverbs 4:17; Matthew 6:19). righteousness—especially beneficence (Psalms 112:9). death—the greatest of all evils.

Proverbs 9:15 — 15, 16. to allure those who are right-minded, and who are addressed as in :-, as simple—that is, easily led (Proverbs 1:4) and unsettled, though willing to do right.

Isaiah 2:4 — 4. judge—as a sovereign umpire, settling all controversies (compare :-). LOWTH translates "work," "conviction." plowshares—in the East resembling a short sword (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 9:7; Zechariah 9:10).

Isaiah 34:17 — 17. cast . . . lot—As conquerors apportion lands by lot, so Jehovah has appointed and marked out ("divided") Edom for the wild beasts (Numbers 26:55; Numbers 26:56; Joshua 18:4-6).

Isaiah 44:10 — 10. Who . . . ?—Sarcastic question: "How debased the man must be who forms a god!" It is a contradiction in terms. A made god, worshipped by its maker (1 Corinthians 8:4)!

Isaiah 47:4 — 4. As for—rather supply, "Thus saith our Redeemer" [MAURER]. LOWTH supposes this verse to be the exclamation of a chorus breaking in with praises, "Our Redeemer! Jehovah of hosts," &c. ( :-).

Jeremiah 1:4 — 4-10. Jeremiah's call to the prophetical office. unto me—other manuscripts read "to him"; but English Version probably represents the true Hebrew text; this inscription was doubtless made by Jeremiah himself.

Jeremiah 5:21 — 21. eyes . . . ears, and—Translate, "and yet" (compare Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:9). Having powers of perception, they did not use them: still they were responsible for the exercise of them.

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).

Ezekiel 18:9 — 9. truly—with integrity. surely live—literally, "live in life." Prosper in this life, but still more in the life to come (Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 3:2; Amos 5:4).

Matthew 20:4 — 4. And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right—just, equitable, in proportion to their time. I will give you. And they went their way.

Luke 1:4 — 4. that thou mightest know—"know thoroughly." hast been instructed—orally instructed—literally, "catechized" or "catechetically taught," at first as a catechumen or candidate for Christian baptism. :-. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FORERUNNER.

1 Corinthians 14:28 — 28. let him—the speaker in unknown tongues. speak to himself, and to God—(compare 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:4) —privately and not in the hearing of others.