Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 12:26 — figures of the cherubim. The one was placed at Dan, in the northern part of his kingdom; the other at Beth-el, the southern extremity, in sight of Jerusalem, and in which place he probably thought God was as likely to manifest Himself as at Jerusalem (Genesis 32:1-32; 2 Kings 2:2). The latter place was the most frequented—for the words (2 Kings 2:2- :) should be rendered, "the people even to Dan went to worship before the one" (Jeremiah 48:13; Amos 4:4; Amos 4:5; Amos 5:5; Hosea 5:8; Hosea 10:8). The

1 Kings 12:32 — figures of the cherubim. The one was placed at Dan, in the northern part of his kingdom; the other at Beth-el, the southern extremity, in sight of Jerusalem, and in which place he probably thought God was as likely to manifest Himself as at Jerusalem (Genesis 32:1-32; 2 Kings 2:2). The latter place was the most frequented—for the words (2 Kings 2:2- :) should be rendered, "the people even to Dan went to worship before the one" (Jeremiah 48:13; Amos 4:4; Amos 4:5; Amos 5:5; Hosea 5:8; Hosea 10:8). The

1 Chronicles 4:9 — development of his high talents or distinguished worth in later life, his mother must have found a satisfaction and delight that amply compensated for all her early trials. His prayer which is here recorded, and which, like Jacob's, is in the form of a vow (Genesis 28:20), seems to have been uttered when he was entering on an important or critical service, for the successful execution of which he placed confidence neither on his own nor his people's prowess, but looked anxiously for the aid and blessing

Song of Solomon 8:6 — 8:5, she was "leaning" on Him, that is, her arm on His arm, her head on His bosom; so she prays now that before they part, her impression may be engraven both on His heart and His arm, answering to His love and His power (Song of Solomon 8:5- :; see Genesis 38:18; Isaiah 62:3). love is strong as death— (Acts 21:13; Romans 8:35-39; Revelation 12:11). This their love unto death flows from His (John 10:15; John 15:13). jealousy . . . the grave—Zealous love, jealous of all that would come between

Isaiah 28:16 — in type point to Him, in whom the prophecy receives its exhaustive accomplishment; whether Isaiah understood its fulness or not (1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 1:12), the Holy Ghost plainly contemplated its fulfilment in Christ alone; so in Isaiah 32:1; compare Genesis 49:24; Psalms 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Romans 10:11; Ephesians 2:20. tried—both by the devil (Luke 4:1-13) and by men (Luke 20:1-38), and even by God (Matthew 27:46); a stone of tested solidity to bear the vast superstructure of man's redemption. The

Isaiah 53:9 — for sepulture (Ezekiel 43:7). But all the versions oppose this, and the Hebrew hardly admits it. Rather translate, "after His death" [HENGSTENBERG]; as we say, "at His death." The plural, "deaths," intensifies the force; as Adam by sin "dying died" (Genesis 2:17, Margin); that is, incurred death, physical and spiritual. So Messiah, His substitute, endured death in both senses; spiritual, during His temporary abandonment by the Father; physical, when He gave up the ghost. because—rather, as the sense

Ezekiel 33:2 — made to the spiritual watchman's duty (compare Isaiah 21:6-10; Hosea 9:8; Habakkuk 2:1). "A man of their coasts" is a man specially chosen for the office out of their whole number. So Habakkuk 2:1- :, "five men from their coasts"; also the Hebrew of Genesis 47:2; implying the care needed in the choice of the watchman, the spiritual as well as the temporal (Acts 1:21; Acts 1:22; Acts 1:24-26; 1 Timothy 5:22).

Ezekiel 37:16 — tribes, it had formerly taken the lead: Shiloh was its religious capital; Shechem, its civil capital. God had transferred the birthright from Reuben (for dishonoring his father's bed) to Joseph, whose representative, Ephraim, though the younger, was made (Genesis 48:19; 1 Chronicles 5:1). From its pre-eminence "Israel" is attached to it as "companions." The "all" in this case, not in that of Judah, which has only attached as "companions" "the children of Israel" (that is, some of them, namely, those who followed

Amos 3:12 — 12. shepherd—a pastoral image, appropriately used by Amos, a shepherd himself. piece of . . . ear—brought by the shepherd to the owner of the sheep, so as not to have to pay for the loss (Genesis 31:39; Exodus 22:13). So if aught of Israel escapes, it shall be a miracle of God's goodness. It shall be but a scanty remnant. There is a kind of goat in the East the ears of which are a foot long, and proportionally broad. Perhaps the reference

Zephaniah 3:7 — rose early, and corrupted, c.—Early morning is in the East the best time for transacting serious business, before the relaxing heat of midday comes on. Thus it means, With the greatest earnestness they set themselves to "corrupt all their doings" (Genesis 6:12 Isaiah 5:11; Jeremiah 11:7; Jeremiah 25:3).

Matthew 13:39 — 39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil—emphatically "His enemy" ( :-). (See Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8). By "tares" is meant, not what in our husbandry is so called, but some noxious plant, probably darnel. "The tares are the children of the wicked one"; and by their being sown "among the wheat" is meant their being deposited within

Deuteronomy 2:5 — 5-7. Meddle not with them—that is, "which dwell in Seir" ( :-) —for there was another branch of Esau's posterity, namely, the Amalekites, who were to be fought against and destroyed (Genesis 36:12; Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:17). But the people of Edom were not to be injured, either in their persons or property. And although the approach of so vast a nomadic horde as the Israelites naturally created apprehension, they were to take

1 Corinthians 11:3 — subjection of woman to man in the order of creation. the head—an appropriate expression, when he is about to treat of woman's appropriate headdress in public. of every man . . . Christ— (Ephesians 5:23). of . . . woman . . . man— (1 Corinthians 11:8; Genesis 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 3:1; 1 Peter 3:5; 1 Peter 3:6). head of Christ is God— (1 Corinthians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Luke 3:22; Luke 3:38; John 14:28; John 20:17; Ephesians 3:9). "Jesus, therefore,

1 Corinthians 13:12 — candle in a dark place stands in contrast with the "day" dawning. God's word is called a glass or mirror also in Numbers 12:8- :. then—"when that which is perfect is come" (Numbers 12:8- :). face to face—not merely "mouth to mouth" (Numbers 12:8- :). Genesis 32:30 was a type (John 1:50; John 1:51). know . . . known—rather as Greek, "fully know . . . fully known." Now we are known by, rather than know, God (1 Corinthians 8:3; Galatians 4:9).

1 Corinthians 2:13 — [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" ( :-). WAHL (Key of the New Testament) translates, "explaining (as the Greek is translated, Genesis 40:8, the Septuagint) to spiritual (that is, Spirit-taught) men, spiritual things (the things which we ourselves are taught by the Spirit)." Spirit-taught men alone can comprehend spiritual truths. This accords with 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians

Galatians 4:29 — 29. persecuted—Ishmael "mocked" Isaac, which contained in it the germ and spirit of persecution (Genesis 21:9). His mocking was probably directed against Isaac's piety and faith in God's promises. Being the older by natural birth, he haughtily prided himself above him that was born by promise: as Cain hated Abel's piety. him . . . born after the Spirit—The

Ephesians 4:24 — nature (compare Note,, see on :-). after God, c.—Translate, "Which hath been created (once for all: so the Greek aorist means: in Christ, Ephesians 2:10 so that in each believer it has not to be created again, but to be put on) after (the image of) God" (Genesis 1:27; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:15), c. God's image in which the first Adam was originally created, is restored, to us far more gloriously in the second Adam, the image of the invisible God (2 Corinthians 4:4 Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3). in

Ephesians 5:16 — followed him as his servant, and was not as a runaway slave." because the days are evil—The days of life in general are so exposed to evil, as to make it necessary to make the most of the seasonable opportunity so long as it lasts (Ephesians 6:13; Genesis 47:9; Psalms 49:5; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Ecclesiastes 12:1; John 12:35). Besides, there are many special evil days (in persecution, sickness, c.) when the Christian is laid by in silence therefore he needs the more to improve the seasonable times

2 Thessalonians 1:5 — consolation. It is a proof (so the Greek) of the future judgment, which will set to rights the anomalies of the present state, by rewarding the now suffering saint, and by punishing the persecutor. And even now "the Judge of all the earth does right" (Genesis 18:25); for the godly are in themselves sinful and need chastisement to amend them. What they suffer unjustly at the hands of cruel men they suffer justly at the hands of God; and they have their evil things here that they may escape condemnation

Revelation 2:10 — years on the year-day principle. The shortness of the duration of the persecution is evidently made the ground of consolation. The time of trial shall be short, the duration of your joy shall be for ever. Compare the use of "ten days" for a short time, Genesis 24:55; Numbers 11:19. Ten is the number of the world powers hostile to the Church; compare the ten horns of the beast, Numbers 11:19- :. unto death—so as even to endure death for My sake. crown of life— James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8, "crown of righteousness";