Bible Commentaries

Genesis 13:8 — which most times is but a mere mistake. Now many, on the contrary, harbour this viper in their bosoms, till it hath eaten to their hearts; they not only let "the sun go down," but go its whole round "upon their wrath," Ephesians 4:26 and cannot find time from one end of the year to the other, to utter their minds, and compound their discords. Not only Abram, but Aristippus shall rise up in judgment against such pseudo-Christians, and condemn them. For when Aeschines and he had

Genesis 20:5 — and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. Said he not unto me, She is my sister? … — Here Abraham and Sarah, though both famous, he for his faith, Romans 4:19 and she for not being afraid with any amazement, 1 Peter 3:6 yet here they show some trepidation. Sense, saith one, Mr Vines’s Fast Sermon: fights sore against faith, when it is upon its own dunghill, I mean in a sensible danger. Nature’s

Genesis 21:9 — curiosi sunt parentes . The mother especially observeth the wrong done to the child. And besides, dislike soon spies a fault. A fault it was no doubt, and a great one too. Otherwise, the apostle would not have called it "persecution": Galatians 4:29 nor God have punished it with ejection. Machiavel, that scoffing atheist, rotted in the prison at Florence. Jeering Julian had his payment from Heaven. Sir Thomas Moor ( qui sceptice et scabiose de Luthero et Religione Reformata loquebatur ) lost

Genesis 31:32 — dance upon a rope, than bridle his tongue from evil speaking. Pareus Veracitas, constantia, docilitas, taciturnitas, urbanitas . - Pareus on James iii. 5. reckons up five virtues of the tongue that perfect a man: but Peraldus Perald., tom. i., p. 264. recounts twenty-four various vices of it, that, if not restrained, will work his ruth (distress) and ruin. It should seem by that of our Saviour Matthew 12:37 that a man’s most and worst sins are his words. And St Paul, making the anatomy of

Genesis 32:12 — them up "with apples" of heavenly doctrines. When these, by the Spirit, are applied to the love sick soul, then is Christ’s left hand under their head, and his right hand - which "teacheth him terrible things" - doth Psalms 14:5 embrace them. All in Christ, is for their support and succour: his love also is displayed over them, as a banner. And this doth so fully satisfy their souls, and transport them with joy, that now they are content to wait God’s leisure for deliverance;

Genesis 38:23 — And David, in his sorrowful confession, saith as much to God upon the matter; "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned"; viz., in respect of the secrecy of my sin; therefore it is added, "and done this evil in thy sight." Psalms 51:4 Behold, I sent this kid, … — He comforts himself in the loss of his pledge, that yet he had been as good as his word: but not a word we hear of sorrow for his sin; which, if he can but keep secret, he rests secure. This is a piece of natural

Genesis 39:8 — not deal so basely with his master, though an Egyptian. To render good for evil is divine; good for good is human; evil for evil is brutish; but evil for good is devilish. "Should we again break thy commandments," saith holy Ezra, Ezra 9:14 after so many mercies and deliverances? There is so much unthankfulness and disingenuity in such an entertainment of mercy, that heaven and earth, he thinks, would be ashamed of it. Every blessing is a binder, and each new deliverance a new tie to obedience.

Genesis 39:9 — made for the enjoyment of man, and not for his torment, wherein his Creator delights not. Blunt’s Voyage into the Levant, 82. And sin against God. — Who makes the marriage covenant, and keepeth the bonds. Proverbs 2:17 Thus David, Psalms 51:4 "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned," … The trespass was against Uriah, but the transgression against God, who only can remove the guilt, remit the punishment. And here, though the iron entered into Joseph’s soul, sin could

Genesis 5:5 — death in other men’s brows, but not in our own bosoms. It must make forcible entry, and break in violently. God must “cut” men “in twain,” διχοτομησει , Matthew 24:51 and tear their souls from their bodies, ere they will yield to die. The best are too backward, and would not “be unclothed, but clothed upon,” 2 Corinthians 5:4 if they might have their will. Moses himself prays, “Lord, teach us

Genesis 8:11 — meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; proving, if at any time, God will give them repentance." Dιδακτικον, ανεξικακον . 2 Timothy 2:24 Aνεχου και απεχου . - Epictet. All are not sent into the vineyard at the same hour of the day. Holy Melancthon, being himself newly converted, thought it impossible

2 Kings 2:11 — messenger of our dissolution to find us in, than in a diligent prosecution of our calling; our busy attendance whereupon is no less pleasing to God, than an immediate devotion. A chariot of fire, and horses of fire. — Angels in this form. Psalms 104:4 Seraphims fetch up this seraphical doctor. He was zealous for the Lord of hosts: and they were all alight, on fire, as it were, with ardent affection toward him; so there was a suitableness. This candidate, therefore, of immortality - as the ancients

Nehemiah 3:1 — priest like; and probably hereupon followed that miracle of an angel’s descending, at their several solemn feasts, into the pool of Bethesda (which was near to this gate, and where they washed their sacrifices), and healing all diseases, John 5:4 . Even unto the tower of Meah — Or the centenary tower, so called for its hundred pinnacles, haply; or, because a hundred cubits high.

Nehemiah 8:2 — εργου εφιεσθαι .. Before the congregation both of men and women — Heb. From man to woman; for souls have no sexes; and in Christ there is no difference, Galatians 4:28 . The Jews at this day little regard their women; not suffering them to come within their synagogue. And the Turkish women never go to their mosques; neither is there any heed taken or reckoning made of their religion at all. The Papists say that

Job 3:9 — ye." The hopes of the wicked fail them when at highest; whereas the saints find that comfort in extremity which they durst not expect: their light shall rise in obscurity, Isaiah 58:10 , it shall shine more and more unto the perfect day, Proverbs 4:18 . Let it not see the dawning of the day — Heb. The eyelids of the morning; that is, the first breakings of light, the morning rays or beams peeping abroad. These this night must never see. Heaven is a nightless day ( ανεσπερος

Job 5:18 — he is both a Father and a Physician, he lanceth us not unless need be, 1 Peter 1:6 . We are judged of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Would we that God should let us alone to perish in our corruptions (as he did Ephraim, Hosea 4:14 ), and not meddle with us? or that he should scarf our bones before they are set, and lap up our sores before they are searched? this were a mercy more cruel than any cruelty, as a Father calls it. And yet most people are of that countryman’s

Job 9:9 — maketh them to appear and do their office for the use and good of man. It is he alone that telleth the number of the stars, he calleth them by their names; neither can they do anything but as they receive order and commission from him (Mr Caryl, Psalms 147:4 ). That was an idle brag of Aratus, the astrologer, that he had found out and set down the whole number of the stars (Aug. de Civ. Dei, lib. 16); and that is a strange arrogance of the kings of Mexico, who when they are consecrated, are reported

Deuteronomy 29:19 — people, … Ahab, after he was threatened with utter rooting out, begat fifty sons, as it were to cross God, and to try it out with him. So Thrasonical Lamech brags, and goes on to outdare God himself; "If Cain be avenged," … Genesis 4:24 The old Italians were wont, in time of thunder, to shoot off their greatest ordinance, and to ring their greatest bells, to drown the noise of the heavens: like unto these are many frontless and flagitious persons. "But shall they escape by

Joshua 10:13 — therefore, we may be sure, no part of the holy canon: God, by his providence, taking care and course that no one hair of that sacred head should fall to the ground. This book of Jasher, or the upright, together with Solomon’s Physics, 1 Kings 4:32-33 the book of his Acts, 1 Kings 11:41 the books of Nathan and Gad, 1 Chronicles 29:29 of Shemaiah, 2 Chronicles 12:15 of Jehu, 2 Chronicles 20:34 the books of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and Judah, …, were not testamentary or canonical:

Titus 1:13 — meekness. Wine must be poured into men’s wounds one while and oil another. Thou must show thyself a peaceable preacher, not a tyrannical lawgiver. (Oecolamp. Ep. ad Gul. Farel.) Rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering, saith Paul to Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:2 . Timothy, they say, was somewhat sharp and tart in his reproofs; and is therefore exhorted to patience and meekness. Titus was gentle, and of a mild disposition; and is therefore thus spurred on to sharpness and severity. The Cretians also were (possibly)

Hebrews 5:7 — less ado, nay, with great joy and triumph. For, 1. What were all their sufferings to his? 2. He therefore suffered the worst, that they might the better suffer. 3. They were lifted up with the sense of God’s love, which he for present felt not. 4. Their bodily pains were miraculously mitigated; as Rose Allen, being asked by a friend how she could abide the painful burning of her hand held over a candle, so long till the very sinews cracked asunder? She said, at the first it was some grief to