Bible Commentaries

Genesis 30:32 — of his uncle, and though it is difficult to exculpate him from practising some degree of dissimulation, he was only availing himself of the results of his great skill and experience in the breeding of cattle. But it is evident from the next chapter (Genesis 31:5-13) that there was something miraculous and that the means he had employed had been suggested by a divine intimation.

Genesis 32:4 — without notifying his arrival to his brother and paying the homage of his respectful obeisance. Acts of civility tend to disarm opposition and soften hatred (Ecclesiastes 10:4). Thy servant Jacob — He had been made lord over his brethren (compare Genesis 27:29). But it is probable he thought this referred to a spiritual superiority; or if to temporal, that it was to be realized only to his posterity. At all events, leaving it to God to fulfil that purpose, he deemed it prudent to assume the most

Job 22:30 — humbles himself (1 Samuel 4:21- :); an oblique attack on Job, even to the last. and it—Rather, "he (the one not heretofore guiltless) shall be delivered through the purity (acquired since conversion) of thy hands"; by thy intercession (as Genesis 18:26, c.). [MAURER]. The irony is strikingly exhibited in Eliphaz unconsciously uttering words which exactly answer to what happened at last: he and the other two were "delivered" by God accepting the intercession of Job for them (Job 42:7

Job 22:30 — humbles himself (Job 22:29); an oblique attack on Job, even to the last. and it — Rather, “he (the one not heretofore guiltless) shall be delivered through the purity (acquired since conversion) of thy hands”; by thy intercession (as Genesis 18:26, etc.). [Maurer]. The irony is strikingly exhibited in Eliphaz unconsciously uttering words which exactly answer to what happened at last: he and the other two were “delivered” by God accepting the intercession of Job for them

Proverbs 30:1 — burden" (compare Isaiah 13:1; Zechariah 9:1), used for any divine instruction; not necessarily a prediction, which was only a kind of prophecy (1 Chronicles 15:27, "a song"). Prophets were inspired men, who spoke for God to man, or for man to God (Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:14; Exodus 7:15; Exodus 7:16). Such, also, were the New Testament prophets. In a general sense, Gad, Nathan, and others were such, who were divine teachers, though we do not learn that they ever predicted. the man spake—literally, "the

Proverbs 30:1 — (compare Isaiah 13:1; Zechariah 9:1), used for any divine instruction; not necessarily a prediction, which was only a kind of prophecy (1 Chronicles 15:27, “a song”). Prophets were inspired men, who spoke for God to man, or for man to God (Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:14, Exodus 7:15, Exodus 7:16). Such, also, were the New Testament prophets. In a general sense, Gad, Nathan, and others were such, who were divine teachers, though we do not learn that they ever predicted. the man spake —

Isaiah 21:12 — land in their absence during the captivity, and now deride them by your question)” (Isaiah 34:5-7). This view is favored by Obadiah 1:10-21. if ye will inquire, inquire — If ye choose to consult me again, do so (similar phrases occur in Genesis 43:14; 2 Kings 7:4; Esther 4:16). return, come — “Be converted to God (and then), come” [Gesenius]; you will then receive a more favorable answer.

Isaiah 21:2 — 2:8, favor this. Go up — Isaiah abruptly recites the order which he hears God giving to the Persians, the instruments of His vengeance (Isaiah 13:3, Isaiah 13:17). Elam — a province of Persia, the original place of their settlement (Genesis 10:22), east of the Euphrates. The name “Persia” was not in use until the captivity; it means a “horseman”; Cyrus first trained the Persians in horsemanship. It is a mark of authenticity that the name is not found before

Jeremiah 48:1 — Jeremiah refers to that by Nebuchadnezzar. Nebo — a mountain and town of Moab; its meaning is “that which fructifies.” Kiriathaim — a city of Moab, consisting of two cities, as the word signifies; originally held by the Emim (Genesis 14:5). Misgab — meaning “elevation.” It lay on an elevation.

Jeremiah 51:46 — 46. And lest—Compare, for the same ellipsis, Genesis 3:22; Exodus 13:17; Deuteronomy 8:12. "And in order that your heart may not faint at the (first) rumor" (of war), I will give you some intimation of the time. In the first "year" there shall "come a rumor" that Cyrus is preparing for war against

Jeremiah 51:46 — And lest — Compare, for the same ellipsis, Genesis 3:22; Exodus 13:17; Deuteronomy 8:12. “And in order that your heart may not faint at the (first) rumor” (of war), I will give you some intimation of the time. In the first “year” there shall “come a rumor” that

Ezekiel 14:12 — The second part of the chapter: the effect which the presence of a few righteous persons was to have on the purposes of God (compare Genesis 18:24-32). God had told Jeremiah that the guilt of Judah was too great to be pardoned even for the intercession of Moses and Samuel (Psalm 99:6; Jeremiah 14:2; Jeremiah 15:1), which had prevailed formerly (Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:13-20; 1 Samuel

Ezekiel 16:45 — — that is, God (“haters of God,” Romans 1:30); therefore the knowledge of the true God had originally been in Canaan, handed down from Noah (hence we find Melchisedek, king of Salem, in Canaan, “priest of the most high God,” Genesis 14:18), but Canaan apostatized from it; this was what constituted the blackness of the Canaanites‘ guilt. loathed  …  children — whom she put to death in honor of Saturn; a practice common among the Phoenicians. sister

Ezekiel 22:30 — 30. the hedge—the wall (see on Ezekiel 22:1); image for leading the people to repentance. the gap—the breach (Ezekiel 22:1- :); image for interceding between the people and God (Genesis 20:7; Exodus 32:11; Numbers 16:48). I found none— (Numbers 16:48- :) —not that literally there was not a righteous man in the city. For Jeremiah, Baruch, c., were still there but Jeremiah had been forbidden to pray for the people

Ezekiel 22:30 — the hedge — the wall (see on Ezekiel 13:5); image for leading the people to repentance. the gap — the breach (Psalm 106:23); image for interceding between the people and God (Genesis 20:7; Exodus 32:11; Numbers 16:48). I found none — (Jeremiah 5:1) - not that literally there was not a righteous man in the city. For Jeremiah, Baruch, etc., were still there; but Jeremiah had been forbidden to pray for the people (Jeremiah

Daniel 11:41 — Antiochus (1 Maccabees 5:1-68). Antitypically, the Turks under Selim entered Jerusalem on their way to Egypt, and retain "the glorious land" of Palestine to this day. But they never could conquer the Arabs, who are akin to Edom, Moab, and Ammon (Genesis 16:12). So in the case of the final Antichrist.

Micah 2:1 — of the evil purpose; “work” (Psalm 58:2), or “fabricate,” the maturing of the scheme; “practice,” or “effect,” the execution of it. because it is in the power of their hand — for the phrase see Genesis 31:29; Proverbs 3:27. Might, not right, is what regulates their conduct. Where they can, they commit oppression; where they do not, it is because they cannot.

Zechariah 5:3 — off—literally, "cleared away." as on this side . . . as on that side—both sides of the roll [VATABLUS]. From this place . . . from this place (repeated twice, as "the house" is repeated in Zechariah 5:4) [MAURER]; so "hence" is used, Genesis 37:17 (or, "on this and on that side," that is, on every side) [HENDERSON]. None can escape, sin where he may: for God from one side to the other shall call all without exception to judgment [CALVIN]. God will not spare even "this place,"

Zechariah 5:3 — side  …  as on that side — both sides of the roll [Vatablus]. From this place  …  from this place (repeated twice, as “the house” is repeated in Zechariah 5:4) [Maurer]; so “hence” is used, Genesis 37:17 (or, “on this and on that side,” that is, on every side) [Henderson]. None can escape, sin where he may: for God from one side to the other shall call all without exception to judgment [Calvin]. God will not spare even “this

1 Corinthians 15:46 — afterward — Adam had a soul not necessarily mortal, as it afterwards became by sin, but “a living soul,” and destined to live for ever, if he had eaten of the tree of life (Genesis 3:22); still his body was but an animal-souled body, not a spiritual body, such as believers shall have; much less was he a “life-giving spirit,” as Christ. His soul had the germ of the Spirit, rather than the fullness of it, such