Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 4:4 — 4. Benaiah . . . was over the host—formerly captain of the guard. He had succeeded Joab as commander of the forces. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests—Only the first discharged the sacred functions; the latter had been banished to his country seat and retained nothing more than the name of high priest.

2 Kings 3:4 — 4-6. Mesha king of Moab, &c.—As his dominions embraced an extensive pasture country, he paid, as annual tribute, the wool of a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams. It is still common in the East to pay custom and taxes in the fruits or natural produce of the land.

Esther 6:4 — 4. Now Haman was come into the outward court—This was early in the morning. It is the invariable custom for kings in Eastern countries to transact business before the sun is hot, often in the open air, and so Haman was in all probability come officially to attend on his master.

Job 23:2 — 2. to-day—implying, perhaps, that the debate was carried on through more days than one (see :-). bitter— (Job 7:11; Job 10:1). my stroke—the hand of God on me (Margin, Job 19:21; Psalms 32:4). heavier than—is so heavy that I cannot relieve myself adequately by groaning.

Psalms 119:75 — 75-78. in faithfulness—that is, without in the least violating Thy faithfulness; because my sins deserved and needed fatherly chastisement. Enduring chastisement with a filial temper ( :-), God's promises of mercy ( :-) will be fulfilled, and He will give comfort in sorrow (Lamentations 3:22; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:4).

Psalms 14:7 — 7. captivity—denotes any great evil. Zion—God's abode, from which He revealed His purposes of mercy, as He now does by the Church (compare Psalms 3:4; Psalms 20:2), and which He rules and in which He does all other things for the good of His people (Ephesians 1:22).

Psalms 39:4 — 4-7. Some take these words as those of fretting, but they are not essentially such. The tinge of discontent arises from the character of his suppressed emotions. But, addressing God, they are softened and subdued. make me to know mine end—experimentally appreciate. how frail I am—literally, "when I shall cease."

Psalms 48:4 — 4-6. For—The reason is given. Though the kings (perhaps of Moab and Ammon, compare :-) combined, a conviction of God's presence with His people, evinced by the unusual courage with which the prophets (compare :-) had inspired them, seized on their minds, and smitten with sudden and intense alarm, they fled astonished.

Psalms 87:4 — 4. This is what is spoken by God. to them . . . me—literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psalms 36:10; Isaiah 19:21). These are mentioned as specimens. this—that is, nation was born there—Of each it is said, "This was born," or is a native of Zion, spiritually.

Proverbs 1:4 — 4. simple—one easily led to good or evil; so the parallel. young man—one inexperienced. subtilty—or prudence (Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 5:21). discretion—literally, "device," both qualities, either good or bad, according to their use. Here good, as they imply wariness by which to escape evil and find good.

Isaiah 27:4 — 4. Fury is not in me—that is, I entertain no longer anger towards my vine. who would set . . . in battle—that is, would that I had the briers, c. (the wicked foe Isaiah 9:18; Isaiah 10:17; 2 Samuel 23:6), before me! "I would go through," or rather, "against them."

Isaiah 46:1-13 — (bajo el nombre de Astarte o Astaroth), era adorado en el oriente como el dios de la fortuna, la estrella más propicia para nacer bajo sus auspicios (Nota, cap. 65:11). Según el apócrifo relato de Bel y el Dragón, Bel fué derribado por Ciro. (cap. 10:4; 1 Samuel 5:3; Salmo 20:8). abatióse Nebo—el planeta Mercurio o Hermes en astrología. El escriba de los cielos, que corresponde al egipcio Anubis. El difundido culto de éste se echa de ver por los muchos nombres propios compuestos con el suyo; como:

Isaiah 5:24 — 24. Literally, "tongue of fire eateth" (Acts 2:3). flame consumeth the chaff—rather, withered grass falleth before the flame (Acts 2:3- :). root . . . blossom—entire decay, both the hidden source and outward manifestations of prosperity, perishing (Job 18:16; Malachi 4:1). cast away . . . law—in its spirit, while retaining the letter.

Isaiah 59:3 — 3. (Isaiah 1:15; Romans 3:13-15). hands . . . fingers—Not merely the "hands" perpetrate deeds of grosser enormity ("blood"), but the "fingers" commit more minute acts of "iniquity." lips . . . tongue—The lips "speak" openly "lies," the tongue "mutters" malicious insinuations ("perverseness"; perverse misrepresentations of others) (Jeremiah 6:28; Jeremiah 9:4).

Isaiah 60:14 — 14. The sons—Their fathers who "afflicted" Israel having been cut off by divine judgments (Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 14:2; Isaiah 49:23). The Zion of the Holy One—The royal court of the Holy One. MAURER translates, "Zion, the sanctuary (holy place) of Israel" (Isaiah 57:15; Psalms 46:4).

Jeremiah 10:14 — 14. in his knowledge—"is rendered brutish by his skill," namely, in idol-making (Jeremiah 10:8; Jeremiah 10:9). Thus the parallel, "confounded by the graven image," corresponds (so Jeremiah 51:17). Others not so well translate, "without knowledge," namely, of God (see Isaiah 42:17; Isaiah 45:16; Hosea 4:6).

Jeremiah 16:20 — 20. indignant protest of Jeremiah against idols. and they (are) no gods— (Jeremiah 2:11; Isaiah 37:19; Galatians 4:8). "They" refers to the idols. A man (a creature himself) making God is a contradiction in terms. Vulgate takes "they" thus: "Shall man make gods, though men themselves are not gods?"

Jeremiah 4:13 — 13. clouds—continuing the metaphor in Jeremiah 4:11. Clouds of sand and dust accompany the simoom, and after rapid gyrations ascend like a pillar. eagles— (Deuteronomy 28:49; Habakkuk 1:8). Woe unto us—The people are graphically presented before us, without it being formally so stated, bursting out in these exclamations.

Zechariah 14:1-21 — CAPITULO 14 LA ULTIMA LUCHA CON LOS IMPERIOS HOSTILES: EL MESIAS JEHOVA SALVA A JERUSALEN Y DESTRUYE AL ENEMIGO, DEL CUAL VUELVE EL REMANENTE AL SEÑOR, QUIEN REINA EN JERUSALEN. 1. día de Jehová—en el cual él vindicará su justicia castigando a los inicuos y salvando

1 Samuel 15:4 — 4. Saul gathered the people together—The alacrity with which he entered on the necessary preparations for the expedition gave a fair, but delusive promise of faithfulness in its execution. Telaim—or Telem, among the uttermost cities of the tribe of Judah towards the coast of Edom (Joshua 15:21; Joshua 15:24).