Bible Commentaries

Genesis 43:11 — 11. take of the best fruits . . . a present—It is an Oriental practice never to approach a man of power without a present, and Jacob might remember how he pacified his brother (Proverbs 21:14) —balm, spices, and myrrh (see on Genesis 43:3), honey—which some think was dibs, a syrup made from ripe dates [BOCHART]; but others, the honey of Hebron, which is still valued as far superior to that of Egypt; nuts—pistachio nuts, of which Syria grows the best

Genesis 47:11 — the capital, and on the east stretched out a considerable length into the desert. The ground included within these boundaries was a rich and fertile extent of natural meadow, and admirably adapted for the purposes of the Hebrew shepherds (compare Genesis 49:24; Psalms 34:10; Psalms 78:72).

Genesis 5:26 — 26. Lamech—a different person from the one mentioned in the preceding chapter [ :-]. Like his namesake, however, he also spoke in numbers on occasion of the birth of Noah—that is, "rest" or "comfort" [Genesis 5:29, Margin]. "The allusion is, undoubtedly, to the penal consequences of the fall in earthly toils and sufferings, and to the hope of a Deliverer, excited by the promise made to Eve. That this expectation was founded on a divine communication

Job 1:20 — the beginning to do anything. He had heard the other messages calmly, but on hearing of the death of his children, then he arose; or, as EICHORN translates, he started up ( :-). The rending of the mantle was the conventional mark of deep grief (Genesis 37:34). Orientals wear a tunic or shirt, and loose pantaloons; and over these a flowing mantle (especially great persons and women). Shaving the head was also usual in grief (Jeremiah 41:5; Micah 1:16).

Isaiah 42:11 — cities — in a region not wholly waste, but mainly so, with an oasis here and there. Kedar — in Arabia-Deserta (Isaiah 21:16; Genesis 25:13). The Kedarenians led a nomadic, wandering life. So Kedar is here put in general for that class of men. rock — Sela, that is, Petra, the metropolis of Idumea and the Nabathoean Ishmaelites. Or it may refer in general to those in

Isaiah 56:11 — to the spiritual welfare of the people (Jeremiah 6:13; Ezekiel 22:27). from his quarter — rather, “from the highest to the lowest” [Lowth]. “From his quarter”; that is, from one end to the other of them, one and all (Genesis 19:4).

Isaiah 59:10 — relaxation of our evils; at the time when we might look for the noon of relief, there is still the night of our calamity. in desolate places — rather, to suit the parallel words “at noonday,” in fertile (literally, “fat”; Genesis 27:28) fields [Gesenius] (where all is promising) we are like the dead (who have no hope left them); or, where others are prosperous, we wander about as dead men; true of all unbelievers (Isaiah 26:10; Luke 15:17).

Ezekiel 21:13 — 9:23. it shall be no more — the scepter, that is, the state, must necessarily then come to an end. Fulfilled in part at the overthrow of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, but fully at the time of “Shiloh‘s” (Messiah‘s) coming (Genesis 49:10), when Judea became a Roman province.

Ezekiel 28:21 — Zidon — famous for its fishery (from a root, Zud, “to fish”); and afterwards for its wide extended commerce; its artistic elegance was proverbial. Founded by Canaan‘s first-born (Genesis 10:15). Tyre was an offshoot from it, so that it was involved in the same overthrow by the Chaldeans as Tyre. It is mentioned separately, because its idolatry (Ashtaroth, Tammuz, or Adonis) infected Israel more than that of Tyre did (Ezekiel 8:14;

Daniel 2:45 — I have recalled it to thy recollection, is a proof that it is no airy phantom, but a real representation to these from God of the future. A similar proof of the “certainty” of the event was given to Pharaoh by the doubling of his dream (Genesis 41:32).

Daniel 4:25 — with the beasts”; Daniel 4:34 proves this, “mine understanding returned.” The regency would leave him to roam in the large beast-abounding parks attached to the palace. eat grass — that is, vegetables, or herbs in general (Genesis 3:18). they shall wet thee — that is, thou shalt be wet. till thou know, etc. — (Psalm 83:17, Psalm 83:18; Jeremiah 27:5).

Hosea 11:8 — Zeboim — among the cities, including Sodom and Gomorrah, irretrievably overthrown (Deuteronomy 29:23). heart is turned within me — with the deepest compassion, so as not to execute My threat (Lamentations 1:20; compare Genesis 43:30; 1 Kings 3:26). So the phrase is used of a new turn given to the feeling (Psalm 105:25). repentings — God speaks according to human modes of thought (Numbers 23:19). God‘s seeming change is in accordance with His secret

Hosea 14:6 — however, are fruitless, therefore the fruitful, peace-bearing, fragrant, ever green olive is added. smell as Lebanon — which exhaled from it the fragrance of odoriferous trees and flowers. So Israel‘s name shall be in good savor with all (Genesis 27:27; Song of Solomon 4:11).

Zechariah 9:10 — tribes, and Judah and Benjamin; both alike to be restored hereafter. speak peace — command it authoritatively. dominion  …  from sea  …  river  …  ends of  …  earth — fulfilling Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; and Psalm 72:8. “Sea  …  sea,” are the Red Sea and Mediterranean. The “river” is the Euphrates. Jerusalem and the Holy Land, extended to the limits promised to Abraham, are to be the

Matthew 21:38 — But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves — Compare Genesis 37:18-20; John 11:47-53. This is the heir — Sublime expression this of the great truth, that God‘s inheritance was destined for, and in due time is to come into the possession of, His own Son in our nature (Hebrews 1:2). come,

Luke 9:62 — prosecute the work of God with a distracted attention, a divided heart. Though the reference seems chiefly to ministers, the application is general. The expression “looking back” has a manifest reference to “Lot‘s wife” (Genesis 19:26; and see on Luke 17:32). It is not actual return to the world, but a reluctance to break with it. (Also see on Matthew 8:21.)

John 1:51 — Hereafter, etc. — The key to this great saying is Jacob‘s vision (Genesis 28:12-22), to which the allusion plainly is. To show the patriarch that though alone and friendless on earth his interests were busying all heaven, he was made to see “heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon a”

1 Corinthians 11:8 — of — takes his being from (“out of”)  …  from: referring to woman‘s original creation, “taken out of man” (compare Genesis 2:23). The woman was made by God mediately through the man, who was, as it were, a veil or medium placed between her and God, and therefore, should wear the veil or head-covering in public worship, in acknowledgement of this subordination to man

1 Corinthians 15:49 — as — Greek, “even as” (see Genesis 5:3). we shall also bear — or wear as a garment [Bengel]. The oldest manuscripts and versions read, “We must also bear,” or “let us also bear.” It implies the divine appointment (compare “must,” 1 Corinthians

Revelation 20:8 — Gog and Magog — (Ezekiel 38:1-39:29; see on Ezekiel 38:2). Magog is a general name for northern nations of Japheth‘s posterity, whose ideal head is Gog (Genesis 10:2). A has but one Greek article to “Gog and Magog,” whereby the two, namely, the prince and the people, are marked as having the closest connection. B reads the second article before Magog wrongly. Hiller [Onomasticon] explains