Bible Commentaries

Job 34:19 — accepteth not the person of princes - To accept the person of anyone is to treat him with special favor on account of his rank, his wealth, or from favoritism and partiality. This God often disclaims in respect to himself; (compare Galatians 2:6; Acts 10:34; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25), and solemnly forbids it in others; see James 2:1, James 2:3,James 2:9; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 16:19. The meaning here is, that God is entirely impartial in

Psalms 119:130 — delivers us, and makes the simple wise.” DeWette, “The opening (revelation) of thy word,” etc. The Hebrew word - פתח pethach - means an “opening” or “entrance” - as of a gate, Joshua 20:4; Judges 9:35; and then “a door,” as of a tent or the temple, Gen 18:1; 1 Kings 6:8; or the gate of a city, Isaiah 3:26; and then it means opening, insight, instruction. The word as used here seems to denote the opening or unfolding of the word of God; the revelation of that word to the mind. A door is open so that

Psalms 45:9 — marriage ceremony. Nothing of earth could be too rich or beautiful to illustrate the glory of the union of the Redeemer with his redeemed Church.Upon thy right hand did stand the queen - The right hand is the place of honor, and that idea is intended here: 1 Kings 2:19; Mark 14:62; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3; Acts 7:55. The idea here is, that the Church, the bride of the Lamb of God, as seen in the vision, is exalted to the highest post of honor. That Church has the place in his affections which the newly-married

Psalms 87:1 — other places where the descendants of Jacob dwelt.Is in the holy mountains - The mountains of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is surrounded by hills, and within the city itself there were the hills of Zion, Moriah, Acra, and Bezethah; See the notes at Matthew 2:1. These sacred hills God had selected as the place of his solemn worship - of his own abode. Compare the notes at Psalms 48:1-2.

Psalms 87:3 — spoken;” that is, either, such things have been said, or they may be said. They have been placed on record; or, they may now be put on record concerning thee. Probably the former is the true meaning; and the language would embrace such points as these:(1) Those things which had been spoken as to its beauty of situation; its magnificence and splendor. Compare Psalms 48:2-3, notes; Psalms 48:12-13, notes.(2) Such things as had been spoken or recorded in regard to its future prosperity, its triumphs, and

Psalms 89:19 — Then thou spakest in vision - Or, by a vision. See this word explained in the notes at Isaiah 1:1. The meaning is, that God had spoken this by means of visions, or by communications made to his people by the prophets. This “vision” was especially made known to Nathan, and through him to David. See 2 Samuel 7:4-17. The substance of what is here

Isaiah 1:26 — will give you such judges as the nation had in former days - in the times of Moses, Joshua, etc. Most of the charges in this chapter are against the magistrates. The calamities of the nation are traced to their unfaithfulness and corruption, Isaiah 1:17-23. God now says that he will remove this cause of their calamity, and give them pure magistrates.Thy counselors - Thy advisers; that is, those occupying places of trust and responsibility. When this should be, the prophet does not say. The Jewish

Isaiah 23:9 — The Lord of hosts hath purposed it - (see the note at Isaiah 1:9). It is not by human counsel that it has been done. Whoever is the instrument, yet the overthrow of wicked, proud, and vicious cities and nations is to be traced to the God who rules in the empires and kingdoms of the earth (see the notes at Isaiah

Isaiah 3:5 — to fulfill them.Every one by another - In turn they shall oppress and vex one another. Hebrew ‘man by man; and man by his neighbor’ - a strong mode of expression, denoting that there would be a state of mutual strife, and violation of rights; compare 1 Kings 20:20.The child ... - All ranks of society shall be broken up. All respect due from one rank in life to another shall be violated.Shall behave himself proudly - The word used here means rather to “urge,” or “press on.” The child shall “crowd on”

Isaiah 41:21 — Produce your cause - This address is made to the same persons who are referred to in Isaiah 41:1 - the worshippers of idols; and the prophet here returns to the subject with reference to a further argument on the comparative power of Yahweh and idols. In the former part of the chapter, God had urged his claims to confidence from the fact that

Daniel 1:13 — Then let our countenances be looked upon - One of the “objects” to be secured by this whole trial was to promote their personal beauty, and their healthful appearance Daniel 1:4-5, and Daniel was willing that the trial should be made with reference to that, and that a judgment should be formed from the observed effect of their temperate mode of life. The Hebrew word rendered countenance (מראה mar'eh) is not limited to the

Daniel 11:32 — wickedly against the covenant - That is, among the Jews. They who apostatized, and who became willing to receive the religion of foreigners. There “was” such a party in Jerusalem, and it was numerous. See Jahn, “Heb. Commonwealth,” pp. 258, 259. Compare 1 Macc. 1:52: “Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit, every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land.”Shall he corrupt by flatteries - By flattering promises of his favor, of office, of national prosperity ....

Obadiah 1:15 — For the day of the Lord is near upon all the pagan - The prophet once more enforces his warning by preaching judgment to come. “The day of the Lord” was already known Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1, Joel 2:31, as a day of judgment upon “all nations,” in which God would “judge all the pagan,” especially for their outrages against His people. Edom might hope to escape, were it alone threatened. The prophet announces one great law of

Habakkuk 1:9 — They shall come all for violence - “Violence” had been the sin of Judah Habakkuk 1:3-4, and now violence shall be her punishment. It had been ever before the prophet; all were full of it. Now should violence be the very end, one by one, of all the savage horde poured out upon them; they all, each one of them come for violence.Their

Zechariah 11:16 — wisdom which people abuse to sin. He, in His Providence, disposeth the circumstances, of which the ambitious avail themselves. antichrist, whom the Jews look for, will be as much an instrument of God for the perfecting the elect, as the Chaldees Habakkuk 1:6 or the Assyrians Amos 6:14 whom God raised up, for the chastisement of His former people, or the Medes against Babylon Isaiah 13:17.Which shall not visit them that be cut off - Zechariah uses the imagery, yet not the exact words of Jeremiah Jeremiah

Matthew 27:7 — And they took counsel ... - They consulted among themselves about the proper way to dispose of this money.And bought with them - In Acts 1:18, it is said of Judas that “he purchased a field with the reward of his iniquity.” By the passage in the Acts is meant no more than that he “furnished the means” or “was the occasion” of purchasing the field. It is not of necessity implied that Judas

Matthew 5:4 — friends or possessions, or that they who mourn over sin are blessed. As Christ came to preach repentance, to induce people to mourn over their sins and to forsake them, it is probable that he had the latter particularly in view. Compare 2 Corinthians 7:10. At the same time, it is true that the gospel only can give true comfort to those in affliction, Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18. Other sources of consolation do not reach the deep sorrows of the soul. They may blunt the sensibilities of the mind; they may

John 11:43 — This was distinctly asserting his power. He uttered a distinct, audible voice, that there might be no suspicion of charm or incantation. The ancient magicians and jugglers performed their wonders by whispering and muttering. See the notes at Isaiah 8:19. Jesus spake openly and audibly, and asserted thus his power. So, also, in the day of judgment he will call the dead with a great sound of a trumpet, Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16.Lazarus, come forth! - Here we may remark:1. That Jesus did this

John 14:13 — Whatsoever ye shall ask - This promise referred particularly to the apostles in their work of spreading the gospel; it is, however, true of all Christians, if what they ask is in faith, and according to the will of God, James 1:6; 1 John 5:14.In my name - This is equivalent to saying on my account, or for my sake. If a man who has money in a bank authorizes us to draw it, we are said to do it in his name. If a son authorizes us to apply to his father for aid because we are

John 6:27 — Labour not - This does not mean that we are to make no effort for the supply of our wants (compare 1 Timothy 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:10), but that we are not to manifest anxiety, we are not to make this the main or supreme object of our desire. See the notes at Matthew 6:25.The meat that perisheth - The food for the supply of your natural needs. It