Bible Commentaries

Genesis 48:5 — 5. thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh—It was the intention of the aged patriarch to adopt Joseph's sons as his own, thus giving him a double portion. The reasons for this procedure are stated (1 Chronicles 5:1; 1 Chronicles 5:2). are mine—Though their connections might have attached them to Egypt and opened to them brilliant prospects in the land of their nativity, they willingly accepted the adoption (Hebrews 11:25).

Exodus 13:5 — 5-7. when the Lord shall bring thee—The passover is here instituted as a permanent festival of the Israelites. It was, however, only a prospective observance; we read of only one celebration of the passover during the protracted sojourn in the wilderness [Numbers 9:5]; but on their settlement in the promised land, the season was hallowed as a sacred anniversary [Joshua 5:10], in conformity with the directions here given.

Psalms 108 overview — PSALM 108 :-. This Psalm is composed of :- of Psalms 57:7-11; and Psalms 108:6-12 of Psalms 60:5-12. The varieties are verbal and trivial, except that in Psalms 60:5-19.60.12- :, "over Philistia will I triumph," differs from Psalms 60:5-19.60.12- :, the interpretation of which it confirms. Its altogether triumphant tone may intimate that it was prepared by David, omitting the plaintive portions of the other Psalms, as commemorative of God's favor in the victories of His people.

Psalms 125:1 — 1, 2. Mount Zion—as an emblem of permanence, and locality of Jerusalem as one of security, represent the firm and protected condition of God's people (compare Psalms 46:5), supported not only by Providence, but by covenant promise. Even the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but God's kindness shall not depart, nor His covenant of peace be removed (Psalms 46:5- :). They that trust—are "His people," (Psalms 46:5- :).

Psalms 59:2 — 2. (Compare Psalms 5:5; Psalms 6:8).

Ecclesiastes 11:2 — 2. portion—of thy bread. seven—the perfect number. eight—even to more than seven; that is, "to many" (so "waters," Ecclesiastes 11:1), nay, even to very many in need (Job 5:19; Micah 5:5). evil—The day may be near, when you will need the help of those whom you have bound to you by kindnesses (Luke 16:9). The very argument which covetous men use against liberality (namely, that bad times may come), the wise man uses for it.

Ecclesiastes 3:5 — 5. cast away stones—as out of a garden or vineyard (Isaiah 5:2). gather—for building; figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time made parts of the spiritual building (Ephesians 2:19; Ephesians 2:20), and children of Abraham (Matthew 3:9); so the restored Jews hereafter (Psalms 102:13; Psalms 102:14; Zechariah 9:16). refrain . . . embracing— (Joel 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 7:6).

Ecclesiastes 6:8 — 8. For—"However" [MAURER]. The "for" means (in contrast to the insatiability of the miser), For what else is the advantage which the wise man hath above the fool?" What—advantage, that is, superiority, above him who knows not how to walk uprightly hath the poor who knoweth to walk before the living?—that is, to use and enjoy life aright (Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 5:19), a cheerful, thankful, godly "walk" (Ecclesiastes 5:19- :).

Isaiah 29:11 — 11. of all—rather, "the whole vision." "Vision" is the same here as "revelation," or "law"; in :-, the same Hebrew word is translated, "covenant" [MAURER]. sealed— ( :-), God seals up the truth so that even the learned, because they lack believing docility, cannot discern it (Matthew 13:10-17; Matthew 11:25). Prophecy remained comparatively a sealed volume (Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9), until Jesus, who "alone is worthy," "opened the seals" (Revelation 5:1-5; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 6:1).

Isaiah 3:3 — The mechanic's business will come to a standstill in the siege and subsequent desolation of the state; artisans are no mean "stay" among a nation's safeguards. eloquent orator—rather, as Vulgate, "skilled in whispering," that is, incantation (Psalms 58:5). See Psalms 58:5- :, below; and on "prudent," see on Psalms 58:5- :.

Isaiah 54:5 — 5. (Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 3:14). That God was Israel's "Maker," both as individuals and as the theocratic kingdom, is the pledge of assurance that He will be her Redeemer (Jeremiah 3:14- :). Hebrew, "makers . . . husbands"; plural for singular, to denote excellency. of Israel . . . whole earth—Not until He manifests Himself as God of Israel shall He appear as God of the whole earth (Psalms 102:13; Psalms 102:15; Psalms 102:16; Zechariah 14:5; Zechariah 14:9).

Isaiah 7:20 — 20. razor—The Assyrians are to be God's instrument of devastating Judea, just as a razor sweeps away all hair before it (Isaiah 10:5; Ezekiel 29:19; Ezekiel 29:20). hired—alluding to Ahaz' hiring (2 Kings 16:7; 2 Kings 16:8) Tiglath-pileser against Syria and Israel; namely, by them beyond the river—namely, the Euphrates; the eastern boundary of Jewish geographical knowledge (Psalms

Jeremiah 51:4 — 4. (See on :-; Jeremiah 51:5; Jeremiah 51:5- :).

Hosea 13:1 — germ of death, though that death may not visibly take effect till long after. Compare Job 29:21- :, "Sin revived, and I died." So Adam in the day of his sin was to die, though the sentence was not visibly executed till long after (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 5:5). Israel is similarly represented as politically dead in Genesis 5:5- :.

Hosea 14:1 — 1. fallen by thine iniquity— (Hosea 5:5; Hosea 13:9).

Amos 7:17 — 17. Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city—that is, shall be forced by the enemy, while thou art looking on, unable to prevent her dishonor (Isaiah 13:16; Lamentations 5:11). The words, "saith THE LORD are in striking opposition to "Thou sayest" (Lamentations 5:11- :). divided by line—among the foe. a polluted land—Israel regarded every foreign land as that which really her own land was now, "polluted" (Isaiah 24:5; Jeremiah 2:7).

Mark 5 overview — CHAPTER 5 Glorious Cure of the Gadarene Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20).

Luke 12:21 — 21. So is he, c.—Such is a picture of his folly here, and of its awful issue. and is not rich toward God—lives to amass and enjoy riches which terminate on self, but as to the riches of God's favor, which is life ( :-), of "precious" faith (2 Peter 1:1 James 2:5), of good works (James 2:5- :), of wisdom which is better than rubies (James 2:5- :) —lives and dies a beggar!

1 Corinthians 5:5 — 5. Besides excommunication (of which the Corinthians themselves had the power), Paul delegates here to the Corinthian Church his own special power as an apostle, of inflicting corporeal disease or death in punishment for sin ("to deliver to Satan such

1 Timothy 5:5 — 5. widow indeed, and desolate—contrasted with her who has children or grandchildren to support her (1 Timothy 5:4). trusteth in God—perfect tense in Greek, "hath rested, and doth rest her hope in God." 1 Timothy 5:5 adds another qualification in a widow