Bible Commentaries

2 Kings 19:15 — Which dwellest between the cherubims - The reference is to the shechinah, or miraculous glory, which from time to time appeared above the mercy-seat from between the two cherubims, whose wings overshadowed the ark of the covenant (1 Kings 6:23-27; compare Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2, etc.).Thou art the God, even thou alone - This is the protest of the pure theist against the intense polytheism of Sennacherib’s letter, which assumes that gods are only gods of particular nations,

2 Kings 21:2 — Manasseh during his minority naturally fell under the influence of the chief Jewish nobles, with whom the pure religion of Yahweh was always unpopular (compare 2 Chronicles 24:17-18; Jeremiah 8:1-2). They seem to have persuaded him, not only to undo Hezekiah’s work, but to proceed to lengths in polytheism, magic, and idolatry, unknown before. The sins of Manasseh’s reign appear to have been those which filled up the measure

1 Chronicles 7:20 — The sons of Ephraim - The genealogy is difficult. It is perhaps best to consider Ezer and Elead 1 Chronicles 7:21 as not sons of Zabad and brothers of the second Shuthelah, but natural sons of Ephraim. The passage would then run thusly:“And the sons of Ephraim, Shuthelah (and Bered was his son, and Tahath his son and Eladah his son, and Tahath his

Ezra 10:3 — Let it be done according to the law - i. e., let a formal “bill of divorcement” be given to each foreign wife, whereby she will be restored to the condition of an unmarried woman, and be free to marry another husband (see Deuteronomy 24:1-2). The facility of divorce among the Jews is well-known. According to many of the rabbis, a bill of divorcement might he given by the husband for the most trivial cause. Thus, no legal difficulty stood in the way of Shechaniah’s proposition; and Ezra

Job 29:1 — Moreover, Job continued his parable - See the notes at Job 27:1. It is probable that Job had paused to see if anyone would attempt a reply. As his friends were silent, he resumed his remarks and went into a more full statement of his sufferings. The fact that Job more than once paused in his addresses to give his

Job 5:18 — For he maketh sore - That is, he afflicts.And bindeth up - He heals. The phrase is taken from the custom of binding up a wound; see Isaiah 1:6, note; Isaiah 38:21, note. This was a common mode of healing among the Hebrews; and the practice of medicine appears to have been confined much to external applications. The meaning of this verse is, that afflictions come from God, and that he only

Psalms 106:19 — They made a calf in Horeb - Exodus 32:4. Probably in resemblance of the Egyptian god “Apis.” The image was made by Aaron out of materials furnished by the people, and at their request Exodus 32:1-3, so that it might be said to be the act of the people.And worshipped the molten image - The word rendered “molten” is from a verb נסך nâsak - to pour, to pour out; hence, to cast, to found; and it means anything that is made by fusion or casting.

Psalms 18:16 — divine interposition were from above, or from heaven; all came from God.He took me - He took hold on me; he rescued me.He drew me out of many waters - Margin, great waters. Waters are often expressive of calamity and trouble, Psalms 46:3; Psalms 69:1; Psalms 73:10; Psalms 124:4-5. The meaning here is, that God had rescued him out of the many troubles and dangers that encompassed him, as if he had fallen into the sea and was in danger of perishing.

Psalms 18:38 — host or army. It was so weakened that it could not again be put in battle array. The idea is that of successful pursuit and conquest.They are fallen under my feet - I have completely trodden them down - a common mode of denoting entire victory, Psalms 119:118; Isaiah 25:10; Lamentations 1:15; Daniel 8:13; Luke 21:24.

Psalms 31:3 — For thou art my rock and my fortress - See the notes at Psalms 18:2.Therefore for thy name’s sake - For the sake of thine own honor, or for the glory of thy name. See the notes at Psalms 23:3. That is, since thou art my rock and my defense - since I put my trust in thee - show, by leading and guiding me, that my trust is well founded, or that this is Thy character, and that Thou wilt be true and faithful to those who commit their all to thee. See the notes at Psalms 31:1.

Psalms 33:21 — For our heart shall rejoice in him - See the notes at Psalms 13:5.Because we have trusted in his holy name - In “him,” the “name” often being put for the person himself. See the notes at Psalms 20:1. The idea is:(a) that the fact of our having put our trust in God is in itself an occasion of joy or rejoicing;(b) that the result will be joy, for we shall never be disappointed.It will always, and in all circumstances, be a source of joy to anyone that he HAS put his trust in the name of God.

Psalms 71:2 — Deliver me in thy righteousness - See the notes at Psalms 31:1. The first three verses of this psalm seem in fact to have been taken, with slight variations, from the first three verses of Psalms 31:0.And cause me to escape - That is, from impending dangers; from the power of my enemies.Incline thine ear unto

Psalms 71:21 — restore me to my former condition, but wilt enlarge my happiness, and wilt do still greater things for me.And comfort me on every side - literally, “Thou wilt turn thyself; thou wilt comfort me.” The word also means to surround; to encompass Genesis 2:11, Gen 2:13; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 18:5; and the idea here may be that God would “go around him,” or encircle him, and would thus comfort him. This idea is expressed in our common version. It was the confident assurance of entire, or complete consolation.

Psalms 78:27 — He rained flesh also upon them as dust - The flesh of quails, Numbers 11:31. The word “rained” means that they seemed to come upon them like a copious shower. The word dust denotes their great abundance.And feathered fowls - Margin, as in Hebrew, “fowl of wing.” This is a poetic expression, designed to give beauty to the

Psalms 79:5 — How long, Lord? - See Psalms 74:1, note; Psalms 74:10, note; and Psalms 77:7-9, notes. This is the language, not of impatience, but of anxiety; not of complaining, but of wonder. It is language such as the people of God are often constrained to employ under heavy trials - trials which

Psalms 82:6 — I have said, Ye are gods - See the notes at Psalms 82:1. I have given you this title; I have conferred on you an appellation which indicates a greater nearness to God than any other which is bestowed on men - an appellation which implies that you are God’s representatives on earth, and that your decision

Proverbs 12:10 — Regardeth - literally, “knoweth.” All true sympathy and care must grow out of knowledge. The duty of a person to animals:(1) rests upon direct commandments in the Law Exodus 20:10; Exodus 23:4-5;(2) connects itself with the thought that the mercies of God are over all His works, and that man’s mercy, in proportion to its excellence, must be like His Jonah 4:11; and(3) has

Ecclesiastes 2:3 — I sought ... - Rather, I resolved (literally “I turned in my heart”) to draw my flesh with wine (see the margin), my heart guiding me with wisdom. In the course of his attempt to answer the question of Ecclesiastes 1:3, while his heart was directing him (as a charioteer directs his horses or a shepherd his sheep) with wisdom, and while he was following that guidance, he determined to draw with him his flesh by wine, thus making his flesh, which he speaks of as distinct

Ecclesiastes 9:1 — A good man’s trust in God is set forth as a counterpoise to our Ignorance of the ways of Providence.In the hand of God - Under His special protection (Deuteronomy 33:3 ff) as righteous, and under His direction Proverbs 21:1 as people.No man ... - literally, both love and also hatred man knoweth not: all are before them. Love and hatred here mean the ordinary outward tokens of God’s favor or displeasure, i. e., prosperity and adversity. “Man knoweth not” probably means:

Jeremiah 10:18 — Sling out - A similar metaphor for violent ejection occurs in Isaiah 22:18 (see the note).At this once - Or, “at this time.” Previous invasions had ended either in deliverance, or at most in temporary misfortune. God’s long-suffering is exhausted, and this time Judaea must cease to be an independent nation.That they may find