Bible Commentaries

Genesis 19:3 — 3. entered into his house—On removing to the plain, Lot intended at first to live in his tent apart from the people [Genesis 13:12]. But he was gradually drawn in, dwelt in the city, and he and his family were connected with the citizens by marriage ties.

Genesis 32:24 — 24, 25. There wrestled a man with him—This mysterious person is called an angel ( :-) and God (Genesis 32:28; Genesis 32:30; Hosea 12:5); and the opinion that is most supported is that he was "the angel of the covenant," who, in a visible form, appeared to animate the mind and sympathize with the distress of his pious servant. It has been a subject

Genesis 41:43 — 43. they cried before him, Bow the knee—abrech, an Egyptian term, not referring to prostration, but signifying, according to some, "father" (compare Genesis 45:8); according to others, "native prince"—that is, proclaimed him naturalized, in order to remove all popular dislike to him as a foreigner.

Genesis 44:3 — 3. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away—They commenced their homeward journey at early dawn (see on Genesis 44:1); and it may be readily supposed in high spirits, after so happy an issue from all their troubles and anxieties.

Genesis 45:23 — 23. to his father he sent—a supply of everything that could contribute to his support and comfort—the large and liberal scale on which that supply was given being intended, like the five messes of Benjamin, as a token of his filial love [see on Genesis 45:4].

Exodus 5:12 — 12. So the people were scattered—It was an immense grievance to the laborers individually, but there would be no hindrance from the husbandmen whose fields they entered, as almost all the lands of Egypt were in the possession of the crown (Genesis 47:20).

1 Chronicles 1:32 — 32. sons of Keturah—These became founders of nomadic tribes in the north of Arabia and Syria, as Midian of the Midianites (Genesis 36:35; Judges 6:2). and Shuah—from whom Bildad sprang (Job 2:11). Job 2:11- :. POSTERITY OF ABRAHAM BY ESAU.

Job 37:6 — 6. Be—more forcible than "fall," as UMBREIT translates Genesis 1:3. to the small rain, &c.—He saith, Be on the earth. The shower increasing from "small" to "great," is expressed by the plural "showers" (Margin), following the singular "shower." Winter rain (Song of Solomon 2:11).

Job 41:10 — 10. fierce—courageous. If a man dare attack one of My creatures (Genesis 49:9; Numbers 24:9), who will dare (as Job has wished) oppose himself (Psalms 2:2) to Me, the Creator? This is the main drift of the description of leviathan.

Psalms 2:5 — 5. Then shall he speak—His righteous indignation as well as contempt is roused. For God to speak is for Him to act, for what He resolves He will do (Genesis 1:3; Psalms 33:9). vex them—agitate or terrify them (Psalms 83:15).

Psalms 89:47 — 47. These expostulations are excited in view of the identity of the prosperity of this kingdom with the welfare of all mankind (Genesis 22:18; Psalms 72:17; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1-10); for if such is the fate of this chosen royal line.

Ecclesiastes 2:16 — 16. remembrance—a great aim of the worldly (Genesis 11:4). The righteous alone attain it (Psalms 112:6; Proverbs 10:7). for ever—no perpetual memorial. that which now is—MAURER, "In the days to come all things shall be now long ago forgotten."

Ecclesiastes 2:6 — 6. pools—artificial, for irrigating the soil (Genesis 2:10; Nehemiah 2:14; Isaiah 1:30). Three such reservoirs are still found, called Solomon's cisterns, a mile and a half from Jerusalem. wood that bringeth forth—rather, "the grove that flourisheth with trees" [LOWTH].

Isaiah 24:5 — 5. earth—rather, "the land." defiled under . . . inhabitants—namely, with innocent blood (Genesis 4:11; Numbers 35:33; Psalms 106:38). laws . . . ordinance . . . everlasting covenant—The moral laws, positive statutes, and national covenant designed to be for ever between God and them.

Isaiah 66:19 — Tarshish—Tartessus in Spain, in the west. Pul—east and north of Africa: probably the same as Philoelig, an island in the Nile, called by the Egyptians Pilak, that is, the border country, being between Egypt and Ethiopia [BOCHART]. Lud—the Libyans of Africa (Genesis 10:13), Ludim being son of Mizraim (Egypt): an Ethiopian people famous as bowmen (Genesis 10:13- :): employed as mercenaries by Tyre and Egypt (Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 30:5). Tubal—Tibarenians, in Asia Minor, south of the Caucasus, between the

Jeremiah 4:23 — 23. Graphic picture of the utter desolation about to visit Palestine. "I beheld, and lo!" four times solemnly repeated, heightens the awful effect of the scene (compare Isaiah 24:19; Isaiah 34:11). without form and void—reduced to the primeval chaos (Genesis 1:2).

Ezekiel 48:24 — 24. Benjamin—Compare Jacob's prophecy (Genesis 49:27; Deuteronomy 33:12). It alone with Judah had been throughout loyal to the house of David, so its prowess at the "night" of the national history was celebrated as well as in the "morning."

Hosea 1:5 — 5. bow—the prowess ( :-; compare Genesis 49:24). valley of Jezreel—afterwards called Esdraelon, extending ten miles in breadth, and in length from Jordan to the Mediterranean near Mount Carmel, the great battlefield of Palestine (Judges 6:33; 1 Samuel 29:1).

Numbers 27:18 — 18. Take thee Joshua . . . a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him—A strong testimony is here borne to the personality of the divine Spirit—the imposition of hands was an ancient ceremony. (See Genesis 48:14; Leviticus 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:14).

Deuteronomy 32:8 — 8, 9. When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance—In the division of the earth, which Noah is believed to have made by divine direction (Genesis 10:5; Deuteronomy 2:5-9; Acts 17:26; Acts 17:27), Palestine was reserved by the wisdom and goodness of Heaven for the possession of His peculiar people and the display of the most stupendous wonders. The theater was small, but admirably suited