מעשי השליחים 8:28

Delitzsche Hebrew New Testament

וַיְהִי בְשׁוּבוּ וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב עַל־מֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ וְקֹרֵא בְּסֵפֶר יְשַׁעְיָה הַנָּבִיא׃

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Modern Translation
ויהי בשובו והוא ישב על מרכבתו וקרא בספר ישעיה הנביא׃

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

and sitting: Acts 17:11, Acts 17:12, Deuteronomy 6:6, Deuteronomy 6:7, Deuteronomy 11:18-20, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 1:3, Psalms 119:99, Psalms 119:111, Proverbs 2:1-6, Proverbs 8:33, Proverbs 8:34, John 5:39, John 5:40, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Esaias: Acts 28:25, Isaiah 1:1, Isaiah, Luke 3:4, Luke 4:17

Reciprocal: Isaiah 18:7 - shall the Matthew 12:42 - queen John 12:38 - Esaias

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Was returning,.... From Jerusalem, having finished the parts of divine worship he came to perform; and it is remarkable, that though he must doubtless have heard of Jesus of Nazareth, and what had passed in Jerusalem lately, and of his apostles, yet heard them not; or however, was not converted by them, nor believed in Jesus; his conversion being ordered to be at another time, in another place, and by another instrument:

and sitting in his chariot: as was the manner of princes and great persons:

read Esaias the Prophet; the Book of the Prophecies of Isaiah the Prophet; and in Luke 4:17 it is called the "Book of the Prophet Esaias"; and in the note there, the Book of Isaiah"; he began to read, and went on till he came to this verse, "the burden of the desert of the sea", c.

Isaiah 21:1 and both the Arabic and Ethiopic versions here read, "the Book of the Prophet Isaiah." Isaiah 21:1- :. Some think the eunuch might be reading over some passages of Scripture in this prophet, which he had heard expounded at Jerusalem, to refresh his memory with what he had heard. This prophet is a very evangelical one, and very delightful and profitable to read: many things are prophesied by him concerning the Messiah, and particularly in the chapter in which the eunuch was reading and this being a time when there was great expectation of the Messiah, such passages might be read and expounded in their synagogues, which concerned him: however, the eunuch improved his time, as he was travelling in a religious way, which was very commendable; and as this was the occasion and opportunity which the Holy Ghost took to bring on his conversion, it may serve greatly to recommend the reading of the Scriptures.

s Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 33. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And, sitting in his chariot - His carriage; his vehicle. The form of the carriage is not known. In some instances the carriages of the ancients were placed on wheels; in others were borne on poles, in the form of a “litter” or palanquin, by men, mules, or horses. See Calmet’s “Chariot” article.

Reading Esaias ... - Isaiah. Reading doubtless the translation of Isaiah called the Septuagint. This translation was made in Egypt for the special use of the Jews in Alexandria and throughout Egypt, and was what was commonly used. “Why” he was reading the Scriptures, and especially this prophet, is not certainly known. It is morally certain, however, that he was in Judea at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus; that he had heard much of him; that this would be a subject of discussion; and it was natural for him, in returning, to look at the prophecies respecting the Messiah, either to meditate on them as a suitable subject of inquiry and thought, or to examine the claims of Jesus of Nazareth to this office. The prophecy in Isaiah 53:1-12; was so striking, and coincided so clearly with the character of Jesus, that it was natural for a candid mind to examine whether “he” might not be the person intended by the prophet. On this narrative we may remark:

1. It is a proper and profitable employment, upon returning from “worship,” to examine the Sacred Scriptures.

(2)It is well to be in the habit of reading the Scriptures when we are on a journey. It may serve to keep the heart from worldly objects, and secure the affections for God.

(3)It is well at all times to read the Bible. It is one of the means of grace. And it is when we are searching his will that we obtain light and comfort. The sinner should examine with a candid mind the sacred volume. It may be the means of conducting him in the true path of salvation.

1. God often gives us light in regard to the meaning of the Bible in unexpected modes. How little did this eunuch expect to be enlightened in the manner in which he actually was. Yet God, who intended to instruct and save him, sent the living teacher (Philip), and opened to him the Scriptures, and led him to the Saviour.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 8:28. Sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet. — He had gone to Jerusalem to worship: he had profited by his religious exercises: and even in travelling, he is improving his time. God sees his simplicity and earnestness, and provides him an instructer, who should lead him into the great truths of the Gospel, which, without such a one, he could not have understood. Many, after having done their duty, as they call it, in attending a place of worship, forget the errand that brought them thither, and spend their time, on their return, rather in idle conversation than in reading or conversing about the word of God. It is no wonder that such should be always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.