Genesis 24:1--32:32
old <02204> [was old.]
advanced ... years <03117 0935> [well stricken in age. Heb. gone into days. blessed.]
senior <02205> [eldest.]
charge <04910> [ruled.]
Put <07760> [Put.]
solemnly <07650> [swear.]
Lord ... God ...... God .... earth ............. daughters .... Canaanites <03068 0430 0776 01323 03669> [the.]
acquire <03947> [that.]
relatives <04138> [to my kindred.]
There does not appear in all this concern the least taint of worldly policy, or any of those motives which usually govern men in the settlement of their children. No mention is made of riches, or honours, or natural accomplishments, but merely of what related to God.--Fuller.
woman <0802> [Peradventure.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
took ...................................... find <03947> [took.]
promised <01696> [which spake.]
angel <04397> [angel.]
free <05352> [clear.]
back <07725> [only.]
gifts <02898> [for. or, and. all the.]
Aram Naharaim <0763> [Mesopotamia.]
city <05892> [city.]
kneel <01288> [kneel.]
out ... draw <07579 03318> [women go out to draw water. Heb. women which draw water go forth.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
<06440> [I pray.]
standing <05324> [I stand.]
daughters <01323> [daughters.]
young woman <05291> [And let.]
chosen <03198> [she that.]
know <03045> [thereby.]
finished <03615> [before.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
Milcah <04435> [Milcah.]
jug <03537> [pitcher.]
beautiful <02896 04758> [fair to look upon. Heb. good of countenance.]
sexual relations <03045> [known.]
sip <01572> [Let.]
water .... jug <04325 03537> [water of.]
Silently .... watched <07583 02790> [wondering at.]
[to wit. i.e., "to know," or "to learn."]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
took <03947> [took.]
nose ring <05141> [earring. or, jewel for the forehead.]
From the word being in the singular number, it is not likely to have been an ear-ring, or a "jewel for the forehead," but "a jewel for the nose, a nose-ring," which is in use throughout Arabia and Persia, particularly among young women. It is very properly translated [epirrinon,] "an ornament for the nose," by Symmachus; and Sir John Chardin informs us, that "it is a custom in almost all the East, for the women to wear rings in their noses, in the left nostril, which is bored low down in the middle. These rings are of gold, and have commonly two pearls and one ruby between, placed in the ring. I never saw a girl or young woman in Arabia or in all Persia, who did not wear a ring after this manner in her nostril."
beka <01235> [of half.]
bracelets <06781> [bracelets.]
The word rendered "bracelet," from a root which signifies "to join or couple together," may imply whatever may clasp round the arms and legs; for rings and ornaments are worn round both by females in India and Persia. The small part of the leg, and the whole arm, from the shoulder to the wrist, are generally decorated in this way. As these were given to Rebekah for "her hands," it sufficiently distinguishes them from similar ornaments for the ankles.
Praised <01288> [Blessed.]
faithful <02617> [of his.]
Lord ................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
master ............ master ............ master's <0113> [of my.]
mother's <0517> [of.]
mother's <0517> [her mother's.]
Some have conjectured from this, that her father Bethuel was dead; and the person called Bethuel, (ver. 50,) was a younger brother. This is possible; but as Dr. A. Clarke remarks, the mother's house might be mentioned were even the father alive; for in Asiatic countries, the women have apartments entirely separate from those of the men, in which their little children and grown-up daughters reside with them. This was probably the case here; though, from the whole narrative, it is very probable that Bethuel was dead, as the whole business appears to be conducted by Rebekah's brothers.
blessed ......... out <01288 02351> [thou.]
prepared <06437> [for I.]
unloaded <06605> [he ungirded. i.e., Laban ungirded. straw.]
Straw, by the eastern mode of threshing, was cut or shattered, and reduced to a kind of chaff. With this, sometimes mixed with a little barley, the eastern people still feed their labouring beasts, as they anciently did.
wash <07364> [wash.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
sheep <06629> [flocks.]
Sarah <08283> [Sarah.]
given <05414> [unto.]
master <0113> [And my.]
Canaanites <03669> [Canaanites.]
The Canaanites were infected with gross idolatry; and consequently, not proper persons with whom to form so intimate a connection; especially as Jehovah had shown Abraham that they were filling up the measure of their iniquity, and were doomed to destruction.
but <0518> [But.]
[my father's. i.e., Where the family of Haran his brother had settled; and where he himself had remained some time with his father Terah.]
Nahor did not dwell at Ur of the Chaldees, but at Haran in Mesopotamia. The true worship of God seems to have been in some measure preserved in this family, though afterwards corrupted.
[Peradventure.]
We may see, says Calmet, by this and other passages of Scripture, (Jos 9:18,) what the sentiments of the ancients were relative to an oath. They believed that they were bound precisely by what was spoken, and had no liberty to interpret the intentions of those by whom the oath was made.
answered <0559> [And he.]
before <06440> [before.]
send <07971> [will.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
successful <06743> [prosper.]
Drink <08354> [Both.]
woman <0802> [the woman.]
chosen <03198> [appointed.]
Those events, which appear to us the effect of choice, contrivance, or chance, are matters of appointment with God; and the persuasion of this does not prevent, but rather encourage, the use of all proper means; at the same time that it confines us to proper means, and delivers the mind from useless anxiety about consequences.
finished <03615> [before.]
praying <01696> [speaking.]
put <07760> [I put.]
bowed down <06915> [bowed.]
led <05148> [led me.]
<03426> [now if.]
show faithful love <06213 02617 0571> [deal kindly and truly. Heb. do mercy and truth.]
go <06437> [that I.]
Laban <03837> [Laban.]
These seem both to be brothers, of whom Laban was the eldest and chief: the opinion of Josephus appears to be very correct, that Bethuel, the father, had been dead some time.
<01697> [The thing.]
<03201> [we.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
decided <01696> [hath.]
bowed <07812> [worshipped.]
jewelry <03627> [jewels. Heb. vessels.]
The original word denotes vessels, utensils, instruments, furniture, or dress; and these presented by Abraham's servant might have been of various kinds.
brother <0251> [brother.]
No mention is made of her father.
valuable <04030> [precious.]
This term, rendered "precious things," as may be seen in the parallel texts, is used to express exquisite fruits or delicacies, and precious plants or flowers: but here it may mean gifts in general, though rather of an inferior kind to those mentioned above.
Let <07971> [Send me.]
days <03117> [a few days. or, a full year, or ten months.]
detain <0309> [Hinder.]
success <06743> [prospered.]
sister <0269> [their.]
female attendant <03243> [nurse.]
blessed <01288> [they.]
become ..... thousands <01961 0505> [be thou the mother.]
Or, "be thou for thousands of myriads;" a large family being always considered, in ancient times, as a proof of the peculiar blessing and favour of God.
thousands <0505> [thousands.]
descendants <02233> [thy seed.]
mounted <07392> [they rode.]
<03212> [followed.]
Beer Lahai Roi <0883> [Lahai-roi.]
Negev <05045> [south.]
relax <07742> [to meditate. or, to pray.]
They who acknowledge God in all their ways, will find him present to direct their paths, and make their way prosperous; and when the prayer of faith meets with an immediate answer, the glory ought as speedily to be rendered to God in solemn praise and thanksgiving.
down <05307> [lighted.]
veil <06809> [a vail.]
mother ................... mother's <0517> [his mother.]
Sarah's tent <08283 0168> [Sarah's tent.]
Sarah, being dead, her tent, which, according to the custom of the east, was distinct from that of Abraham, became now appropriated to the use of Rebekah.
took <03947> [and took.]
comforted <05162> [comforted.]
[A.M. cir. 2151. B.C. cir. 1853.]
bore <03205> [A.M. cir. 2152. B.C. cir. 1852. she bare.]
[Zimri. Midian.]
Shuah <07744> [Shuah.]
Sheba <07614> [A.M. cir. 2180. B.C. cir. 1824. Sheba.]
Dedan ..... Dedan <01719> [Dedan.]
Asshurites <0805> [Asshurim.]
Ephah <05891> [A.M. cir. 2200. B.C. cir. 1804. Ephah.]
[A.M. cir. 2175. B.C. cir. 1829.]
Isaac typified the Son of God, "whom HE hath appointed Heir of all things."
concubines <06370> [concubines.]
gifts <04979> [gifts.]
sent <07971> [sent.]
east <0776 06924> [east country.]
Arabia Deserta, which was eastward of Beer-sheba, where Abraham dwelt.
[A.M. 2183. B.C. 1821.]
breathed ... last <01478> [gave.]
good <02896> [good.]
joined <0622> [gathered.]
Isaac <03327> [Isaac.]
cave <04631> [in the cave.]
field <07704> [The field.]
Abraham .......... Abraham <085> [there.]
After <0310> [after.]
Beer Lahai Roi <0883> [La-hai-roi.]
names ....... names <08034> [the names.]
Nebaioth <05032> [Nebajoth.]
From Nebajoth sprang the Nabatheans, who inhabited Arabia Petraea; from Kedar, the Cedreans, who dwelt near the Nabatheans; and from Jetur, the Itureans, who inhabited a small tract of country east of Jordan, which afterwards belonged to Manasseh.
Kedar <06938> [Kedar.]
Dumah <01746> [Dumah.]
<02316> [Hadar. or, Hadad.]
More than 300 MSS. and printed editions read Hadad, as in 1 Ch 1:30.
Tema <08485> [Tema.]
Naphish <05305> [Naphish.]
These are evidently the same people mentioned in 1 Ch 5:19, who, with the Itureans, assisted the Hagarenes against the Israelites, but were overcome by the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
camps <02918> [castles.]
The word {tiroth,} rendered "castles," is supposed by some to denote here "towers," fortified rocks, or mountain-tops, and fastnesses of various kinds in woods and hilly countries; but it rather means, "shepherds' cots," surrounded by sufficient enclosures to prevent the cattle from straying, as the cognate Syriac word {teyaro,} and Arabic {tawar,} signify "a sheep-fold."
<08147> [twelve.]
total .... years <08141> [A.M. 2231. B.C. 1773. these are.]
joined <0622> [gathered.]
Havilah <02341> [Havilah.]
way <0935> [as thou.]
Asshur <0804> [toward.]
settled <05307> [died. Heb. fell.]
next ............ from <06440> [in the.]
Abraham Abraham <085> [A.M. 2108. B.C. 1896. Abraham.]
married <03947> [A.M. 2148. B.C. 1856. when he.]
Aramean .......... Aramean <0761> [the Syrian.]
prayed ................ answered ... prayer <06279> [A.M. 2167. B.C. 1837. intreated.]
childless <06135> [because.]
Lord ............ Lord <03068> [and the.]
Rebekah <07259> [and Rebekah.]
asked <01875> [A.M. 2168. B.C. 1836. enquire.]
Two nations ....... two <01471 08147> [Two nations.]
Two ........ two <08147> [two manner.]
older <07227> [the elder.]
Esau <06215> [Esau.]
The word Esau has been generally considered to imply made, formed, or perfected; or perfect, robust, etc. But it appears to be a dialectical variation of the Arabic atha, to be covered with hair; whence athai, hairy, as no doubt the word Esau imports, in allusion to the circumstance of his being covered with red hair or down at his birth.
<0310> [And after.]
clutching <0270> [took.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
Isaac ... sixty <03327 08346> [Isaac was.]
<03045> [a cunning.]
even-tempered <08535> [a plain main.]
living <03427> [dwelling.]
fresh game <06718 06310> [he did eat of his venison. Heb. venison was in his mouth.]
Rebekah <07259> [Rebekah.]
famished <05889> [A.M. 2199. B.C. 1805. and he.]
red ..... red <0122 04480> [with that same red pottage. Heb. with that red, with that red pottage.]
This, we are informed, (ver. 34,) was of lentiles, a sort of pulse.
Edom <0123> [Edom. i.e., red.]
about ... die <04191 01980> [at the point to die. Heb. going to die. and what.]
birthright <01062> [birthright.]
Swear ......... swore <07650> [Swear.]
sold <04376> [and he sold.]
ate <0398> [eat.]
Esau .................. Esau <06215> [thus Esau.]
earlier <07223> [A.M. 2200. B.C. 1804. the first.]
Isaac <03327> [And Isaac.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
appeared <07200> [appeared.]
settle <07931> [dwell.]
Stay <01481> [Sojourn.]
bless <01288> [I will be.]
descendants <02233> [unto thee.]
solemn <07621> [oath.]
multiply <07235> [multiply.]
descendants .................. them ....... nations ................ descendants <02233 01471> [seed shall.]
Gerar <01642> [Gerar.]
sister <0269> [She is my sister.]
very beautiful <02896> [fair.]
window <02474> [a window.]
caressing <06711> [sporting.]
touches <05060> [toucheth.]
planted <02232> [sowed.]
The author of the "History of the Piratical States of Barbary" observes, (p. 44,) that the Moors of that country are divided into tribes like the Arabians, and like them dwell in tents, formed into itinerant villages; that "these wanderers farm lands of the inhabitants of the towns, sow and cultivate them, paying their rent with the produce, such as fruits, corn, wax, etc. They are very skilful in choosing the most advantageous soils for every season, and very careful to avoid the Turkish troops, the violence of the one little suiting the simplicity of the other." It is natural to suppose, that Isaac possessed the like sagacity, when he sowed in the land of Gerar, and received that year an hundred-fold.
reaped <04672> [received. Heb. found. an hundredfold.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
man ... wealthy ... influence .... grow ...... prominent <0376 01431> [And the man waxed great.]
Dr. Adam Clarke remarks, that there is a strange and observable occurrence of the same term in the original, which is literally, "And the man was GREAT, and he went, going on, and was GREAT, until that he was exceeding GREAT." How simple is this language, and yet how forcible!
wealthy ...... grow ...... prominent <01431> [waxed great.]
continued <01980 03212> [went forward. Heb. went going.]
sheep ... cattle <04735> [had possession.]
household <05657> [servants. or, husbandry. envied.]
father's ........... father <01> [his father's.]
<05640> [had stopped.]
In those countries, a well of water was a great acquisition; and hence, this mode of injuring new settlers, or revenging themselves on their enemies, is still resorted to among the inhabitants.
<03212> [Go.]
Dr. A. Clarke observes, that this is the first instance on record of what was termed among the Greeks, ostracism, i.e., the banishment of person from the state, of whose power, influence, or riches, the people were jealous.
much more powerful <06105> [mightier.]
days <03117> [in the days.]
Houbigant contends, that instead of {bimey,} "in the days," we should read, {avdey,} "servants;" agreeably to the Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate: "And Isaac digged again the wells of water which the servants of Abraham his father had digged."
gave .......... given <07121> [and he.]
fresh flowing water <04325 02416> [springing water. Heb. living.]
quarreled <07378> [did strive.]
Esek <06230> [Esek. i.e., Contention.]
Sitnah <07856> [Sitnah. i.e., Hatred.]
dug <02658> [digged.]
The wells in Arabia are generally dug in the rock: their mouths are about six feet in diameter, and they are from nineteen to twenty feet in depth. But Niebuhr informs us, that many wells are from 160 to 170 feet deep.
Rehoboth <07344> [Rehoboth. i.e., Room. the Lord.]
made ........ prosper <06509> [be fruitful.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [Beer-sheba.]
God <0430> [I am the.]
afraid <03372> [fear.]
built <01129> [builded.]
worshiped <07121> [called.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
Phicol <06369> [Phichol.]
Phichol, as well as Abimelech, "father king," seems to have been a name of office or dignity among the Philistines; for it is not probable that they were the same as are mentioned in the days of Abraham (ch. 21:22, 32.)
hate <08130> [seeing.]
sent <07971> [sent me.]
plainly see <07200> [We saw certainly. Heb. Seeing we saw. was with.]
pact <0423> [Let there.]
do ............... treated <06213> [That thou wilt. Heb. If thou shalt, etc. not.]
blessed <01288> [the blessed.]
Early <07925> [betimes.]
made a treaty <07650> [sware.]
found <04672> [We have.]
Shibah <07656> [Shebah. i.e., an oath. therefore.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [Beer-sheba. i.e., the well of the oath.]
This may have been the same city which was called Beer-sheba a hundred years before this, in the time of Abraham; but as the well, from which it had its name originally, was closed up by the Philistines, the name of the place might have been abolished with the well; when, therefore, Isaac re-opened it, he restored the ancient name of the place.
Esau <06215> [A.M. 2208. B.C. 1796. And Esau.]
daughter ........... daughter <01323> [the daughter.]
Basemath <01315> [Bashemath.]
anxiety <04786> [Which.]
anxiety <07307 04786> [grief of mind. Heb. bitterness of spirit.]
[A.M. 2244. B.C. 1760.]
almost <03543> [dim.]
older son ........ son <01121 01419> [eldest son.]
could ..... time <03045 03117> [I know not.]
take ... weapons <05375 03627> [take, I.]
hunt <06679 06718> [take me. Heb. hunt.]
eat <0398> [that I may eat.]
The blessing, says Dr. A. Clarke, which Isaac was to confer on his son, was a species of divine right, and must be communicated with appropriate ceremonies. As eating and drinking were used among the Asiatics on almost all religious occasions, and especially in making and confirming covenants, it is reasonable to suppose, that something of this kind was essentially necessary on this occasion; and that Isaac could not convey the right, till he had eaten of the meat provided for the purpose by him who was to receive the blessing.
<05315> [that my.]
presence .... Lord before <06440 03068> [before the.]
two <08147> [two.]
tasty <04303> [savoury.]
{Matammim,} from {taam,} to taste or relish: how dressed is uncertain, but its name declares it nature.
hairy man ............ skin <0376 08163> [hairy man.]
touch <04959> [feel.]
mocking <08591> [a deceiver.]
think ....... bring <05869 0935> [and I shall.]
curse <07045> [Upon.]
mother <0517> [mother.]
best clothes <02532 0899> [goodly raiment. Heb. desirable.]
The Septuagint translates it "a goodly robe," which was a long garment that great men used to wear, (Lu 20:46; 15:22.) The priest afterwards in the law had "holy garments" to minister in, (Ex 28:2-4.) Whether the first-born before the law had such to minister in is not certain: for, had they been common garments, why did not Esau himself or his wives keep them? But being, in likelihood, holy robes, received from their ancestors, the mother of the family kept them in sweet chests, from moths and the like; whereupon it is said, (ver. 27,) "Isaac smelled the smell of his garments."
skins <05785> [skins.]
Travellers inform us, that the Eastern goats have long, fine, and beautiful hair, of the most delicate silky softness; indeed the animals generally in those hot countries are not covered with so thick a coat of hair as they are in more northerly regions; so that Isaac might easily be deceived, when his eyes were dim, and his feeling no less impaired than his sight.
Esau <06215> [I am.]
me <05315> [that thy.]
Lord <03068> [Because.]
<06440> [to me. Heb. before me.]
Come closer <05066> [Come.]
touch <04184> [may feel.]
voice <06963> [The voice.]
How wonderful, says Mr. Scott, is that difference which there is betwixt the faces and the voices of the several individuals of the human species! Scarcely any two of the innumerable millions are exactly alike in either, and yet the difference cannot be defined or described! The power, wisdom, and kindness of our Creator should be admired and adored in this remarkable circumstance; for they are very visible. This description of Jacob is not unaptly accommodated to the character of a hypocrite: his voice, his language, is that of a Christian; his hands, or conduct, that of an ungodly man: but the judgment will proceed from God, the Judge of all, at the last day, as in the present case, not by the voice, but by the hands.
hands ........ hands <03027> [his hands.]
blessed <01288> [he blessed.]
[I am.]
<05315> [that my.]
blessed ................... blessed <01288> [blessed.]
scent ............ smells .... scent .... open field <07381 07704> [the smell of a field.]
A field where aromatic plants, flowers, fruits, and spices grew in abundance, with which these garments (see ver. 15) of Esau might probably have been perfumed by being laid up with them.
Lord <03068> [which.]
dew <02919> [of the dew.]
<04924> [the fatness.]
plenty <07230> [plenty.]
nations <05971> [Let people.]
will be lord <01376 01933> [be lord.]
curse .... cursed <0779> [cursed.]
eat <0398> [eat.]
shake violently <02729 01419 03966> [trembled very exceedingly. Heb trembled with a great trembling greatly.]
hunted <06679> [taken. Heb. hunted. thou camest.]
blessed ....... blessed <01288> [yea.]
wailed <06817> [he cried.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob. i.e., a supplanter.]
took away ......... taken away <03947> [he took.]
made <07760> [I have.]
grain <01715> [with.]
provided <05564> [sustained. or, supported.]
home <04186> [Behold.]
<04924> [the fatness. or, of the fatness.]
It is here foretold, says Bp. Newton, that as to temporal advantages, the two brothers should be much alike. (See ver. 28.) Esau had cattle, beasts, and substance in abundance, and he went to dwell in Mount Seir of his own accord. When the Israelites desired leave to pass through the territories of Edom, the country abounded with fruitful fields and vineyards. (Nu 20:17.)
sword <02719> [thy sword.]
serve <05647> [serve.]
tear off <06561> [that thou.]
hated <07852> [hated.]
time <03117> [The days.]
kill <02026> [then.]
planning ...... killing <05162 02026> [comfort himself.]
do what ... say <08085> [obey.]
Haran <02771> [Haran.]
subsides <03117 0259> [a few days.]
send <07971> [then I.]
Why <04100> [why.]
deeply <06973> [I am.]
<06440> [because.]
Jacob <03290> [if Jacob.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
marry <03947> [Thou shalt.]
immediately <06965> [Arise.]
Paddan Aram <06307> [Padan-aram.]
Laban <03837> [Laban.]
God <0410> [God.]
fruitful <06509> [and make.]
large <06951> [a multitude. Heb. an assembly.]
blessing <01293> [the blessing.]
living as a temporary resident <04033> [wherein thou art a stranger. Heb. of thy sojournings.]
God <0430> [which.]
sent Jacob ......................... Jacob <07971 03290> [sent away Jacob.]
Whoever observes Jacob's life, after he had surreptitiously obtained his father's blessing, will perceive that he enjoyed very little worldly felicity. His brother purposed to murder him, to avoid which he was forced to flee from his father's house; his uncle Laban deceived him, as he had deceived his father, and treated him with great rigour; after a servitude of 21 years, he was obliged to leave him in a clandestine manner, not without danger of being brought back, or murdered by his enraged brother; no sooner were these fears over, than he experienced the baseness of his son Reuben, in defiling his bed; he had next to bewail the treachery and cruelty of Simeon and Levi toward the Shechemites; then he had to feel the loss of his beloved wife; he was next imposed upon by his own sons, and had to lament the supposed untimely end of Joseph; and to complete all, he was forced by famine to go into Egypt, and there died, in a strange land. So just, wonderful, and instructive are all the ways of Providence!
Paddan Aram <06307> [Padan-aram.]
Esau <06215> [Esau.]
find ............... marry <03947> [Thou.]
women <01323> [the daughters.]
displeasing <05869 07451> [pleased not. Heb. were evil in the eyes.]
Ishmael .............. Ishmael <03458> [unto Ishmael.]
Mahalath <04258> [Mahalath. called also, Bashemath.]
sister <0269> [the sister.]
took <03947> [took.]
near ... head <07760 04763> [put them.]
This should be "put it;" for we find (ver. 18) it was only one stone.
dream <02492> [he dreamed.]
stairway <05551> [ladder.]
Lord stood .......... Lord <05324 03068> [the Lord stood.]
Lord ........... Lord <03068> [I am.]
ground <0776> [the land.]
descendants ......................................... descendants <02233> [thy seed.]
spread out <06555> [spread abroad. Heb. break forth. to the west.]
descendants ......................................... descendants <02233> [and in thee.]
protect <08104> [I am.]
protect <08104> [keep.]
back <07725> [bring.]
leave <05800> [for I.]
wherever ................... have ... what <0834> [until.]
realize <03045> [and I.]
afraid ...... awesome <03372> [he was.]
house <01004> [the house.]
Early <07925> [rose up.]
took <03947> [and took.]
The practice of setting up stones as a memorial by travellers still exists in Persia, and other parts of the East.
placed ...... set <07760> [set it.]
poured <03332> [poured.]
called ........ name <08034> [the name.]
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el. i.e., the house of God.]
made <05087> [vowed.]
God <0430> [If God.]
gives <05414> [will give.]
return <07725> [I come.]
Lord <03068> [then.]
God <0430> [God's.]
surely ...... tenth <06237> [I will.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
moved on <05375 07272> [went on his journey. Heb. lifted up his feet. came.]
people <01121> [people. Heb. children. east.]
The district of Mesopotamia, and the whole country beyond the Euphrates, are called Kedem, or the East, in the Sacred Writings.
well ................. well ........... well <0875> [a well.]
three <07969> [there.]
large stone <068 01419> [a great stone.]
In Arabia, and other places in the East, they cover up their wells of water, lest the sand, which is put in motion by the winds, should fill and quite stop them up. So great was their care not to leave the well open any length of time, that they waited till the flocks were all gathered together before they began to draw water; and when they had finished, the well was immediately closed again.
flocks <05739> [the flocks.]
Instead of {haadarim,} "the flocks," the Samaritan reads {haroin,} "the shepherds," as does also the Arabic in Walton's Polyglott. This verse describes what was usually done by some mutual compact among the shepherds, and shows the purpose for which the flocks lay by the well; for the stone was not removed till all the flocks had been collected. Scott.
Haran <02771> [Of Haran.]
[Charran.]
grandson ... Nahor <01121 05152> [son of.]
[Is he well? Heb. there peace to him?]
Since <02005> [Lo.]
day <01419 03117> [it is yet high day. Heb. yet the day is great.]
flocks <05739> [until.]
rolled <01556> [roll.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
tending <07462> [for she kept them.]
In those primitive times, a pastoral life was not only considered useful but honourable: nor was it beneath the dignity of the daughters of the most opulent chiefs to carry water from the well, or tend the sheep. Jacob, Moses, and David were shepherds.
rolled <01556> [rolled.]
kissed <05401> [kissed.]
weep <01058> [and wept.]
relative <0251> [brother.]
ran <07323> [and she.]
news <08088> [tidings. Heb. hearing. he ran.]
kissed <05401> [kissed.]
<01697> [all these.]
flesh <06106> [art my.]
month <02320 03117> [the space of a month. Heb. a month of days.]
Tell ..... wages <05046 04909> [tell me.]
Leah <03812> [was Leah.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
lovely .... beautiful <03303> [beautiful.]
love <0157> [loved.]
serve <05647> [I will serve.]
In ancient times, it was a custom among many nations to give dowries for their wives; but Jacob, being poor, offered for Rachel seven year's service.
worked <05647> [A.M. 2251. B.C. 1753. served.]
<0160> [for the love.]
Give .... wife <03051 0802> [Give me.]
time <03117> [my days.]
have marital relations <0935> [go in.]
prepared <06213> [and made.]
brought ......... had marital relations <0935> [brought her.]
Zilpah <02153> [Zilpah.]
morning <01242> [in the morning.]
tricked <07411> [wherefore.]
here <04725> [country. Heb. place.]
week <07620> [week.]
give <05414> [we will.]
When ... completed .... week <07620 04390> [fulfilled her week.]
The public marriage feast made on this occasion, seems to have formed the regular method of recognising the marriage, and lasted seven days: it would therefore have been improper to have broken off the solemnities to which all the men of the place had been invited (ver. 22) and probably Laban wished to keep the fraud from the public eye. It is perfectly plain that Jacob did not serve seven years more before he got Rachel to wife.
Bilhah <01090> [Bilhah.]
loved <0157> [he loved.]
worked <05647> [served.]
saw <07200> [saw.]
unloved <08130> [was hated.]
enabled ... to become pregnant <06605> [he opened.]
named <08034> [A.M. 2252. B.C. 1752. his name.]
Reuben <07205> [Reuben. that is, See a son. looked.]
Lord <03068> [A.M. 2253. B.C. 1751. Because.]
So she <07121> [called.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon. that is, Hearing.]
named <08034> [A.M. 2254. B.C. 1750. was.]
Levi <03878> [Levi. that is, joined.]
she <07121> [A.M. 2255. B.C. 1749. called.]
Judah <03063> [Judah. that is, Praise. left bearing. Heb. stood from bearing.]
That is, for a time; for she had several children afterwards. (See ch. 30:17, etc.).
Rachel <07354> [when Rachel.]
Rachel ............ jealous <07065 07354> [Rachel envied.]
Envy and jealousy are most tormenting passions to the breast which harbours them, vexatious to all around, and introductory to much impatience and ungodliness. "Who is able to stand before envy?"
I'll die <0369 04191> [or else I die.]
furious <0639> [anger.]
God <0430> [Am I.]
exclaimed ........... kept <04513> [withheld.]
servant <0519> [Behold.]
bear children <03205> [she shall.]
family <01129> [have children by her. Heb. be built up by her.]
wife <0802> [to wife.]
God <0430> [A.M. 2256. B.C. 1748. God.]
Dan <01835> [Dan. that is, Judging.]
[A.M. 2257. B.C. 1747.]
desperate struggle <05319 0430> [great wrestlings. Heb. wrestlings of God.]
So she <07121> [and she.]
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali. that is, My wrestling.]
[Nephthalim.]
stopped <05975> [A.M. 2256. B.C. 1748. left.]
Jacob <05414 03290> [gave her.]
named <07121> [she.]
Gad <01410> [Gad. that is, A troop, or company.]
happy <0837> [A.M. 2257. B.C. 1747. Happy am I. Heb. In my happiness. will call.]
named <07121> [and she.]
Asher <0836> [Asher. that is, Happy.]
mandrake ....................... mandrakes <01736> [A.M. 2256. B.C. 1748. mandrakes.]
The mandrake may be the Hebrew {dudaim:} it is so rendered by all the ancient versions, and is a species of melon, of an agreeable odour. Hasselquist, speaking of Nazareth in Galilee, says, "What I found most remarkable at this village was the great number of mandrakes which grew in a vale below it. I had not the pleasure of seeing this plant in blossom, the fruit now (May 5th, O. S.) hanging ripe on the stem, which lay withered on the ground. From the season in which this mandrake blossoms and ripens fruit, one might form a conjecture that it was Rachel's {dudaim.} These were brought her in the wheat harvest, which in Galilee is in the month of May, about this time, and the mandrake was now in fruit." The Abbee Mariti describes it as growing "low like a lettuce, to which its leaves have a great resemblance, except that they have a dark green colour. The flowers are purple, and the root is for the most part forked. The fruit, when ripe in the beginning of May, is of the size and colour of a small apple, exceedingly ruddy, and of a most agreeable odour. Our guide thought us fools for suspecting it to be unwholesome."
Give <05414> [Give me.]
[A.M. 2257. B.C. 1747.]
named <07121> [and she.]
Issachar <03485> [Issachar. that is, An hire.]
Now ... husband <06471 0376> [A.M. cir. 2258. B.C. cir. 1746. now will.]
named <07121> [and she.]
Zebulun <02074> [Zebulun. that is, Dwelling.]
[Zabulon.]
<07121> [A.M. cir. 2259. B.C. 1745. and called.]
Dinah <01783> [Dinah. that is, Judgment.]
took note <02142> [remembered.]
enabled ... to become pregnant <06605> [opened.]
barrenness therefore was reckoned a reproach. The intense desire of having children, observable among the Jewish women, arose not only from this reproach of barrenness, but from the hope of being the mother of the promised seed, and Him in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed.
She <07121> [And she.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph. that is, Adding.]
Send <07971> [Send me away.]
home <04725> [mine.]
country <0776> [and to.]
wives <0802> [my wives.]
know <03045> [for thou.]
favor <02580> [favour.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
increased <06555> [increased. Heb. broken forth.]
Lord <03068> [and the.]
<07272> [since my coming. Heb. at my foot.]
long <04970> [when.]
wages <07939> [of such.]
integrity <06666> [righteousness.]
testify <06030> [answer.]
later <04279 03117> [in time to come. Heb. to-morrow.]
stolen <01589> [that shall be.]
Supply the ellipsis by inserting "if found," after "stolen," and the sense will be clear.
So ..... removed <05493> [he removed.]
From this it appears, that, as Jacob had agreed to take all the parti-coloured for his wages, and was now only beginning to act upon this agreement, and consequently had as yet no right to any of the cattle, therefore Laban separated from the flock all such cattle as Jacob might afterwards claim in consequence of his bargain, leaving only the black and white with Jacob.
care ... his <03027> [the hand.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
fresh-cut .... poplar <03839 03892> [green poplar.]
{Livneh} is the white poplar, so called from the whiteness of its leaves, bark, and wood, from {lavan} to be white.
[hasel.]
Jerome, Hiller, Celsius, Dr. Shaw, Bochart, and other learned men, say, that {luz} is not the "hazel" but the almond-tree, as the word denotes both in Arabic and Syriac.
[chestnut tree.]
The Heb. word {armon,} signifies "the plane-tree," so called from the bark naturally peeling off, and leaving the trunk naked, as its root {aram,} signifies.
gave birth <03205> [brought forth.]
stronger females ... in heat ............... flock ..... mate <06629 03179 07194> [whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive.]
As the means which Jacob used would not in general produce similar effects, nay, probably the experiment was never in any other instance tried with effect, it is more in harmony with Divine truth to suppose that he was directed by some Divine intimation; and rendered successful, if not by a direct miracle, yet at least by the Lord's giving a new and uncommon bias to the tendency of natural causes.
The Lord will, in one way or other, honour those who simply trust his providence.
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
rich <03519> [glory.]
"Glory" is here used for "wealth," riches, or property; since those who possess riches, generally make them the subject of glory. The original word cavod, signifies both "glory" and "weight."
face <06440> [countenance.]
attitude <08543> [it was.]
[as before. Heb. as yesterday and the day before.]
Return <07725> [Return.]
land <0776> [land.]
[with thee.]
can <07200> [I see.]
God <0430> [the God.]
ten times <06235 04489> [ten times.]
The Hebrew, {asereth monim,} is literally, as Aquila renders, "ten numbers;" and Symmachus, "ten times in number;" which probably implies an indefinite number: see ver. 41.
God <0430> [God.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
male goats <06260> [rams. or, he-goats. ringstraked.]
spotted <01261> [grisled.]
The original word, {beroodim,} from {barad,} "hail" means marked with white spots like hail; to which our word grisled, from the old french {gresle,} now {grele,} hail, perfectly agrees; hence {gresle,} spotted with white on a dark ground.
angel <04397> [the angel.]
[Here am I.]
Observe <05375> [Lift up.]
Observe ................... observed <07200> [I have seen.]
God <0410> [the God.]
return <07725> [return.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
portion <02506> [yet any.]
sold ..... wasted <04376 0398> [sold us.]
God .................. God <0430> [which God.]
God .................. God <0430> [whatsoever.]
camels <01581> [upon camels.]
set out <0935> [for to go.]
household idols <08655> [images. Heb. teraphim.]
These might have been images devoted to superstitious or idolatrous purposes, as they are termed gods by Laban, in ver. 30. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it, {tzalmanaya,} "images;" the LXX. and Theodoret, [eidolon <\\See definition 1497\\,] "idols;" Aquilla, [morphomata,] "figures;" and the Persian, {asterlabha,} "astrolabes."
Laban <03820 03837> [unawares to Laban. Heb. the heart of Laban. See references on ver. 27.]
crossed <05674> [passed.]
headed <07760 06440> [set his.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
Aramean <0761> [the Syrian.]
dream <02472> [dream.]
Be careful <08104> [Take heed.]
bless nor curse <02896 05704 07451> [either good or bad. Heb. from good to bad.]
done <06213> [What.]
You've <05090> [carried.]
run away <01272> [Wherefore.]
deceive ...... tell <01589 05046> [steal away from me. Heb. hast stolen me.]
send <07971> [that I.]
celebration <08057> [with mirth.]
tambourines <08596> [tabret.]
kiss <05401> [kiss.]
foolishly <05528> [foolishly.]
power <0410> [the power.]
God <0430> [the God.]
last night <0570> [yesternight.]
Be careful <08104> [Take.]
gods <0430> [my gods.]
afraid <03372> [Because.]
Whoever has <0834> [whomsoever.]
This was rash, and might have produced fatal effects; but Jacob was partial to Rachel, and did not suspect her; and he was indignant at being accused of a crime which he deeply abhorred. Scott.
presence <05048> [before.]
Jacob <03290> [For Jacob.]
Leah's ..................... Leah's <03812> [Leah's.]
taken <03947> [had taken.]
<03733> [furniture.]
The word, {car,} rendered "furniture," properly denotes "a large round pannier," placed one on each side of a camel, for a person, especially women, to ride in. It is a hamper, like a cradle, having a back, head, and sides, like a great chair. Moryson describes them as "two long chairs like cradles, covered with red cloth, to hang on the two sides of the camel." Hanway calls them {kedgavays,} which "are a kind of covered chairs, which the Persians hang over their camels in the manner of {panniers,} and are big enough for one person to sit in." Thevenot, who calls then {counes,} says that they lay over them a cover, which keeps then both from the rain and sun; and Maillet describes them as covered cages, hanging on each side of a camel. The late Editor of Calmet has furnished a correct delineation of these cars, as seen on one side of a camel, copied from Dalton's Prints of Egyptian Figures.
searched <04959> [searched. Heb. felt.]
lord <0113> [my lord.]
stand up <06965> [rise up.]
having <01870> [custom.]
angry <02734> [was wroth.]
Set <07760 03541> [set it here.]
twenty <06242> [twenty.]
ewes <07353> [ewes.]
rams <0352> [the rams.]
torn ....... brought <02966 0935> [torn of.]
<02398> [I bare.]
absorbed ...... always made me pay ... every missing ..... was taken .... or <01589> [or stolen.]
fourteen <0702> [fourteen.]
ten times <06235 04489> [ten times.]
If <03884> [Except.]
fears <06343> [fear.]
saw <07200> [hath seen.]
<03772> [let us.]
proof <05707> [a witness.]
God can put a bridle into the mouth of wicked man to restrain their malice; and then, though they have no love for his people, they will pretend to it, and try to make a merit of necessity. Scott.
relatives <0251> [brethren.]
Gather <03950> [Gather.]
pile ....... pile <01530> [an heap.]
The word {gal,} rendered "heap," properly signifies a round heap or circle; probably like the Druidical remains in this country, which have been traced in India, Persia, Western Asia, Greece, and Northern Europe. These usually consist of irregular circles of large stones, with a principal one in the midst; the former probably being used for seats, and the latter for an altar; corresponding to the stone set up as a pillar by Jacob, and the heap of stones collected by his brethren. They appear to have been used, as Gilgal undoubtedly was, (Jos 4:5; Jud 2:1; 3:19; ch. 20. 1 Sa 7:16; 10:8, 17; 11:15; 13:7; 15:33. 2 Sa 19:15, 40. 2 Ki 2:1.) as temples, and as places for holding councils, and assembling the people. For a satisfactory elucidation of this subject, consult the Fragments to Calmet, Nos. 156, 735, 736.
Jegar Sahadutha <03026> [Jegar-sahadutha. i.e., the heap of witness. Chald. Galeed. i.e., the heap of witness. Heb.]
pile <01530> [This heap.]
Galeed <01567> [Galeed. or, Gilead.]
Mizpah <04709> [Mizpah. i.e., a beacon, or watch-tower.]
[Mizpeh.]
mistreat <06031> [afflict.]
God <0430> [God.]
set <03384> [I have cast.]
For {yarithi,} "I have set up," we may read yaritha, "Thou hast set up," with one Heb. and one Sam. MS: see ver. 45.
God ... Abraham .... god ..... gods <085 0430> [God of Abraham.]
father .............. father <01> [their father.]
For {avihem,} "Their father," several MSS. read avichem, "Your father," for Terah was an idolater: see Jos 24:2.
judge <08199> [judge.]
oath <07650> [sware.]
feared <06343> [fear.]
offered ... sacrifice <02076 02077> [offered sacrifice. or, killed beasts. did eat.]
kissed <05401> [and kissed.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
returned <07725> [returned.]
angels <04397> [angels.]
God <0430> [God's.]
named <08034> [the name.]
[Mahanain. i.e., two hosts, or camps.]
Mahanaim was situated between Gilead and the river Jabbok, near the present Djezan.
sent <07971> [sent.]
land <0776> [land.]
The land, or mountains, of Seir was situated south and east of the Dead Sea; forming a continuation of the eastern Syrian chain of mountains, beginning with Antilibanus, and extending from thence to the eastern gulf of the Red Sea.
Seir <08165> [Seir.]
region <07704> [country. Heb. field. Edom.]
lord <0113> [my lord.]
servant <05650> [servant.]
oxen <07794> [have oxen.]
find <04672> [may find.]
hundred <03967> [and four.]
very <03966> [greatly.]
upset <03334> [distressed.]
divided <02673> [and he.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
God ...... God <0430> [O God.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
not worthy ..... faithful love <06994 02617> [not worthy of the least of all. Heb. less than all.]
faithful love <02617> [mercies.]
faithful <0571> [truth.]
walking stick <04731> [my staff.]
two camps <04264 08147> [two bands.]
Rescue <05337> [Deliver.]
mothers <0517> [the mother.]
<05921> [with. Heb. upon.]
said <0559> [thou.]
prosper <03190> [I will.]
sent <0935> [which.]
sent <03027> [to his hand.]
Or, "under his hand" or power; i.e., what Providence had put in his power or possession.
gift <04503> [a present.]
This was a princely present. The "thirty milch camels" were particularly valuable; for among the Arabs they constitute a principal part of their riches; being every way so serviceable, that the providence of God appears peculiarly kind and wise in providing such animals for those countries, where no other animal could be of equal service. The she-camel gives milk continually, not ceasing even when with young; the milk of which, when mixed with three parts of water, affords the most pleasant and wholesome beverage.
distance <07305> [space.]
<03212> [Whose art.]
appease ... by <03722> [I will appease.]
accept <05375> [peradventure.]
ahead <06440> [of me. Heb. my face.]
two wives ... two <08147 0802> [his two wives.]
ford .... Jabbok <04569 02999> [the ford Jabbok.]
Or, "the ford of Jabbok," a stream which takes its rise in the mountains of Gilead, and falls into the Jordan to the south of the lake of Gennesareth. It is now called the Zerka.
across <05674> [sent them. Heb. caused to pass.]
wrestled <079> [wrestled.]
<0376> [man.]
daybreak <07837 05927> [breaking of the day. Heb. ascending of the morning.]
could <03201> [that he.]
struck <05060> [touched.]
Let me ........... let <07971> [Let me go.]
Let me ........... let <07971> [I will not.]
bless <01288> [thou bless.]
name <08034> [Thy name.]
Israel <03478> [Israel. i.e., a prince of God. as a prince.]
Or, according to the LXX., Vulgate, Houbigant, Dathe, and Rosenmuller, "because thou hast power with God, thou shalt also prevail with men." There is a beautiful antithesis between the two terms, with [Elohim,] {Elohim,} god, the Almighty, with [anashim,] {anashim,} weak, feeble men, as the word imports; seeing thou hast had power with the Almighty, surely thou shalt prevail over perishing mortals.
fought <08280> [power.]
<0582> [with men.]
man <02088> [Wherefore.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
[Penuel.]
Peniel <06439> [Peniel. i.e., the face of God.]
Peniel, or Penuel, was evidently situated near the ford of Jabbok, on the north of that stream, about forty miles from Jerusalem.
seen <07200> [I have.]
rose ............ limping <02224 06760> [rose upon.]
limping <06760> [he halted.]
eat ... sinew ...................... sinew <0398 01517> [eat not.]
Genesis 35:1-15
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el.]
fled <01272> [when thou.]
household <01004> [unto his.]
foreign <05236> [strange.]
Purify <02891> [clean.]
responded <06030> [who answered.]
wherever <01870> [was with.]
rings <05141> [ear-rings.]
These rings were not worn as mere ornaments, but for superstitious purposes; perhaps as amulets or charms, first consecrated to some false god, or formed under some constellation, and stamped with magical characters. Maimonides mentions rings and jewels of this kind, with the image of the sun, moon, etc., impressed upon them; and Augustine describes them (Epist. 73,) as used for this execrable purpose.
buried ..... oak <02934 0424> [hid them.]
oak <0424> [the oak.]
Luz <03870> [Luz.]
built <01129> [built.]
<0416> [El-beth-el. i.e., the god of Beth-el.]
Rebekah's <07259> [Rebekah's.]
oak <0437> [under an oak.]
Oak of Weeping <0439> [Allon-bachuth. i.e., the oak of weeping.]
sovereign God <07706 0410> [God Almighty.]
nation ...... nations <01471> [a nation.]
land ..................... land <0776> [the land.]
gave ........ give ...... descendants I will ... give <05414 02233> [to.]
Bethel <01008> [Bethel.]
Isaiah 13:1--21:17
message <04853> [A.M. 3292. B.C. 712. burden.]
Babylon <0894> [of Babylon.]
Isaiah <03470> [which Isaiah.]
<05375> [Lift ye up.]
bare <08192> [upon the high.]
wave <05130> [shake.]
enter ... gates <0935 06607> [go into.]
orders <06680> [commanded.]
warriors <01368> [mighty ones.]
boasting <05947> [them that.]
loud ............... commotion <06963> [noise.]
like <01823> [like as. Heb. the likeness of.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
distant <04801> [from a far.]
instruments <03627> [and the weapons.]
Wail ..... day <03213 03117> [Howl ye.]
day <03117> [for the day.]
destructive <07701> [as a.]
hands <03027> [shall all.]
limp <07503> [be faint. or, fall down. every.]
cramps <06735> [pangs.]
one another ... astonishment <0376 07453 08539> [be amazed one at another. Heb. wonder every man at his neighbour. flames. Heb. faces of the flames.]
cruelty <0394> [cruel.]
<08045> [he shall.]
punish <06485> [I will punish.]
pride <01347> [and I will cause.]
shake <07264> [I will.]
earth <0776> [the earth.]
fury <05678> [in the wrath.]
frightened <05080> [as the.]
each ...... each <0376> [they shall.]
children <05768> [children.]
wives <0802> [and their.]
stirring <05782> [I will.]
concerned about ...... interested <02803> [shall not regard.]
cut ..... ribbons <07376> [shall dash.]
look <05869> [their eye.]
Babylon <0894> [Babylon.]
Babylon, whose destruction and utter ruin are here predicted, was situated in the midst of a large plain, having a very deep and fruitful soil, on the Euphrates, about 252 miles south-east of Palmyra, and the same distance north-west of Susa and the Persian gulf, in lat. 32 degrees 30' N. and long. 44 degrees 20' E. According to Herodotus, it formed a perfect square, each side of which was 120 stadia, and consequently its circumference 480 stadia, or sixty miles; inclosed by a wall 200 cubits high, and fifty wide, on the top of which were small watch towers of one story high, leaving a space between them, through which a chariot and four might pass and turn. On each side were twenty-five gates of solid brass; from each of which proceeded a street, 150 feet broad, making in all fifty streets; which, crossing each other at right angles, intersected the city into 676 squares, extending four stadia and a half on each side, along which stood the houses, all built three or four stories high, and highly decorated towards the street; the interior of these squares being employed as gardens, pleasure grounds, etc. Its principal ornaments were the temple of Belus, having a tower of eight stories, upon a base of a quarter of a mile square; a most magnificent palace; and the famous hanging gardens, or artificial mountains raised upon arches, and planted with large and beautiful trees. Cyrus took it by diverting the waters of the Euphrates, which ran through the midst, and entering by the channel; and the river being never restored to its proper course, overflowed the whole country, and made it a morass. Darius Hystaspes afterwards depopulated the place, lowered the walls, and demolished the gates; Xerxes destroyed the temples; the building of Seleucia nearly exhausted it of its inhabitants; a king of the Parthians carried a number of them into slavery, and destroyed the most beautiful parts; so that modern travellers describe it as a mass of shapeless ruins, the habitation of wild beasts.
God <0430> [when God overthrow. Heb. the overthrowing of.]
Wild animals <06728> [But.]
Wild animals <06728> [wild beasts. Heb. Ziim. doleful creatures. Heb. Ochim. owls. or, ostriches. Heb. daughters of the owl.]
Wild dogs <0338> [the wild beasts. Heb. Iim. desolate houses. or, palaces. dragons.]
time <06256> [her time.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
choose <0977> [choose.]
special ..... them <03240> [set.]
Resident foreigners <01616> [the strangers.]
family <01004> [and the house.]
they settle .......... captors .... rule ....... them <07617 07287> [and they.]
they settle .......... captors .... rule ....... them <07617 07287> [whose captives they were. Heb. that had taken them captives. they shall rule over.]
taunt <04912> [proverb. or, taunting speech.]
oppressor <05065> [How.]
Hostility <04062> [golden city. or, exactress of gold.]
struck down <05221> [who smote.]
unceasing blows <04347 01115> [continual stroke. Heb. a stroke without removing. is persecuted.]
without <01097> [and none.]
break into song <06476> [they.]
Sheol <07585> [Hell. or, The grave. from.]
stirred up <07264> [is moved.]
former leaders <06260> [chief ones. Heb. leaders, or, great goats.]
weak <02470> [Art thou also.]
splendor <01347> [pomp.]
maggots <07415> [the worm.]
fallen <05307> [How art thou fallen.]
shining <01966> [Lucifer. or, day-star.]
conqueror <02522> [weaken.]
said <0559> [thou.]
climb up <05927> [I will ascend.]
mountain <02022> [the mount.]
climb up <05927> [ascend.]
myself <01819> [I will be.]
down <03381> [thou.]
remote slopes <03411> [to the.]
stare <07688> [shall narrowly.]
man <0376> [Is this.]
made <07760> [made.]
free ... prisoners ...... home <01004 0615 06605> [opened not the house of his prisoners. or, did not let his prisoners loose homewards.]
lie <07901> [all of.]
own tomb <01004> [house.]
thrown out <07993> [thou.]
The prophet having briefly set forth, in the beginning of this chapter, the deliverance of Judah from captivity, in consequence of the destruction of Babylon, then introduces this triumphant song, the beauties of which are excellently illustrated by Bp. Lowth.
headed for <03381> [go.]
offspring <02233> [the seed.]
execute <04293> [slaughter.]
not <01077> [do not.]
rise <06965> [I will.]
remembrance <08034> [the name.]
people <07605> [remnant.]
turn ... into <07760> [make.]
sweeps <02894> [I will sweep.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
have intended <01819> [Surely.]
break <07665> [I will.]
yoke <05923> [then.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
hand <03027> [his.]
[A.M. 3278. B.C. 726.]
happy <08055> [Rejoice.]
Philistines <06429> [whole.]
club <07626> [because.]
viper <05175> [for.]
serpent's <06848> [cockatrice. or, adder.]
adder <08314> [a fiery.]
<01060> [the firstborn.]
poor <01800> [the poor.]
kill <04191> [and I.]
Wail <03213> [Howl.]
comes <0935> [for.]
stragglers <0909> [none shall be alone. or, he shall not be alone. appointed times. or, assemblies.]
respond <06030> [shall one.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
oppressed <06041> [and the.]
safety <02620> [trust in it. or, betake themselves unto it.]
message <04853> [burden.]
This and the following chapter form one entire prophecy; which was most probably delivered, as Bp. Lowth supposes, soon after the foregoing, (ch. 14:28-32,) in the first year of Hezekiah, and accomplished in his fourth year when Shalmaneser invaded Israel.
Moab ........... Moab ............. Moab <04124> [Moab.]
night ............. night <03915> [in the.]
Ar <06144> [Ar.]
destroyed ............. destroyed <01820> [brought to silence. or, cut off. Kir.]
[Kir-hareseth.]
[Kir-haresh.]
[Kir-haraseth.]
[Kir-heres.]
went up <05927> [is gone.]
Moab <04124> [Moab.]
Nebo <05015> [Nebo.]
Medeba <04311> [Medeba.]
head <07218> [all.]
streets ............ squares <02351 07339> [their streets.]
roofs <01406> [on the.]
down weeping <01065 03381> [weeping abundantly. Heb. descending into weeping; or, coming down with weeping.]
Heshbon <02809> [Heshbon.]
Jahaz <03096> [Jahaz.]
<05315> [his.]
heart <03820> [My heart.]
fugitives <01280> [his fugitives, etc. or, to the borders thereof, even as an heifer. Zoar.]
Eglath Shelishiyah <07992> [three.]
ascent <04608> [the mounting.]
weep <01065> [with.]
demise <07667> [destruction. Heb. breaking.]
Nimrim <05249> [Nimrim.]
[Nimrah.]
[Beth-nimrah.]
[Beth-nimrah.]
gone <04923> [desolate. Heb. desolations. the grass.]
what they have <03502> [the abundance.]
Stream <05158> [to the.]
Stream .... Poplars <06155 05158> [brook of the willows. or, valley of the Arabians.]
cries of distress <02201> [the cry.]
Eglaim <097> [Eglaim.]
[En-eglaim]
Eglaim is called Agallim by Eusebius, who places it eight miles south from Ar or Areopolis.
Dimon .............. Dimon <01775> [Dimon.]
Some have Dibon; and Jerome says that the same town was called both Dibon and Dimon.
<03254> [more. Heb. additions.]
lion <0738> [lions.]
fugitives <06413> [him.]
Bp. Lowth, upon the authority of the LXX., renders, "upon the escaped of Moab, and Ariel, and the remnant of Admah."
rams <03733> [the lamb.]
Sela <05554> [from.]
Sela <05554> [Sela. or, Petra. Heb. a rock. the mount.]
flies <05074> [as.]
forced .... nest <07971 07064> [cast out of the nest. or, a nest forsaken. the fords.]
Bring <0935> [Take. Heb. Bring. execute.]
Provide <07896> [make.]
Hide <05641> [hide.]
fugitives <05080> [mine.]
one who applies pressure <04160> [for.]
one who applies pressure <04160> [extortioner. Heb. wringer. oppressors. Heb. treaders down.]
trustworthy <02617> [in mercy.]
established <03559> [established. or, prepared. in the.]
make <08199> [judging.]
experienced <04106> [hasting.]
heard <08085> [have.]
boastful claims <0907> [but.]
Moab ...... they <04124> [shall Moab.]
Kir Hareseth <07025> [Kir-hareseth.]
moan <01897> [mourn. or, mutter.]
fields <07709> [the fields.]
vines <01612> [the vine.]
[Shibmah.]
rulers <01167> [the lords.]
Jazer <03270> [Jazer.]
spread out <05203> [stretched out. or, plucked up.]
weep <01058> [I will bewail.]
Heshbon <02809> [O Heshbon.]
shout triumphantly .... fruit ... crops <01959 07019 07105> [for.]
shout triumphantly .... fruit <01959 07019> [the shouting for. or, the alarm is fallen upon, etc.]
heart <04578> [my.]
Kir Hareseth <07025> [Kir-haresh.]
[Kir-hareseth.]
When <07200> [when.]
enter .......... ineffective <0935 03201> [he shall.]
ineffective <03201> [but.]
previously <0227> [since.]
three <07969> [three.]
splendor <03519> [the glory.]
survivors <07605> [and the remnant.]
insignificant <03808> [feeble. or, not many.]
message <04853> [A.M. cir. 3263. B.C. cir. 741. burden.]
Damascus ... Damascus <01834> [Damascus.]
Damascus ... Damascus ... no longer <01834 05493> [Damascus is.]
ruins <04654> [a ruinous.]
Aroer <06177> [Aroer.]
herds <05739> [they shall.]
peace <02729> [none.]
Fortified <04013> [fortress.]
splendor <03519> [they shall.]
splendor <03519> [the glory.]
<04924> [the fatness.]
harvest <07105> [as when.]
Valley <06010> [the valley.]
Valley <06010> [the valley of the giants.]
trust <08159> [he shall.]
<04639> [the work.]
incense altars <02553> [images. or, sun-images.]
ignore <07911> [thou hast.]
God <0430> [the God.]
protector <06697> [the rock.]
cultivate <05193> [shalt thou.]
harvest <07105> [the harvest.]
day ................................ disappear .... day ... disease ... incurable pain <03117 02470 0605 03511 05067> [a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. or, removed in the day of inheritance, and there shall be deadly sorrow.]
massing together <01995> [multitude. or, noise.]
make a commotion as loud as the roaring <01993> [make a noise.]
powerful <03524> [mighty. or, many.]
shouts <01605> [but.]
shouts <01605> [rebuke.]
driven <07291> [shall be.]
dead thistles <01534> [a rolling thing. or, thistle-down.]
<06256> [at evening-tide.]
fate <02506> [the portion.]
as good as dead ... one <01945> [A.M. cir. 3290. B.C. cir. 714. Woe.]
Bp. Lowth renders, after Bochart, "Ho! to the land of the winged cymbal;" which he thinks is a periphrasis for the Egyptian sistrum; and consequently, that Egypt, "which borders on the rivers of Cush," is the country to which the prophecy is addressed. If we translate "shadowing with wings," it may allude to the multitude of its vessels, whose sails may be represented under the notion of wings.
land <0776> [the land.]
buzzing <06767> [shadowing.]
beyond <05676> [which.]
sends <07971> [sendeth.]
boats <03627> [vessels.]
It is well known that the Egyptians commonly used on the Nile a light sort of ships or boats made of the papyrus. See note on Ex 2:3.
nation ................. nation <01471> [to a nation.]
tall smooth-skinned <04900 04178> [scattered and peeled. or, outspread and polished.]
Or, as Bp. Lowth renders, "stretched out in length and smoothed." Egypt, which is situated between 24 degrees and 32 degrees N. lat. and 30 degrees and 33 degrees E. long., being bounded on the south by Ethiopia, on the north by the Mediterranean, on the east by the mountains of Arabia, and on the west by those of Lybia, is one long vale, 750 miles in length, (through the middle of which runs the Nile,) in breadth from one to two or three day's journey, and even at the widest part of the Delta, from Pelusium to Alexandria, not above 250 miles broad.
people <05971> [to a people.]
[Heb. Meted out and trodden down. or, that meteth out and treadeth down. Heb. of line, line, and treading under foot.]
This is an allusion to the frequent necessity of having recourse to mensuration in Egypt, in order to determine their boundaries, after the inundation of the Nile had smoothed their land and effaced their landmarks; and to their method of throwing seed upon the mud, when the waters had subsided, and treading it in by turning their cattle into the fields.
divide <0958> [have spoiled. or, despise.]
live <03427> [All ye.]
see ..... raised <07200 05375> [see ye.]
place <04349 05027> [consider in my dwelling place. or, regard my set dwelling.]
scorching <06703> [like a clear.]
<0216> [upon herbs. or, after rain.]
tribute <07862> [shall the.]
tall ... smooth-skinned <04900 04178> [scattered and peeled. or, outspread and polished.]
place <04725> [to the.]
Egypt ............ Egypt ..... Egypt ...... Egyptians <04714> [Egypt.]
rides <07392> [rideth.]
idols <0457> [the idols.]
courage <03824> [the heart.]
provoke <05526> [I will.]
provoke <05526> [set. Heb. mingle.]
panic <07307> [the spirit.]
This is a prophecy of what took place in Egypt about twenty-two years after the destruction of Sennacherib's army; when, upon the death of Tirhakah, (B.C. 688,) not being able to settle about the succession, they continued for two years in a state of anarchy, confusion, and civil wars; which was followed by the tyranny of twelve princes, who, dividing the country among them, governed it for fifteen years; and at last, by the sole dominion of Psammiticus, which he held for fifty-four years.
panic <01238> [fail. Heb. be emptied. and I.]
confuse <01104> [destroy. Heb. swallow up.]
seek guidance <01875> [and they.]
hand <05534> [give over. or, shut up.]
harsh master ............ master <0113 07186> [a cruel lord.]
Rather, "cruel lords," agreeable to the LXX., Syriac, Vulgate, and the original {adonim kasheh.} Nebuchadnezzar, who first conquered and ravaged Egypt, B.C. 573, and the following year; and then, not only his successors, but Cambyses, (who invaded Egypt, B.C. 526,) the son of Cyrus, and the whole succession of Persian kings till the time of Alexander, who were in general hard masters, and grievously oppressed the country.
streams <02975> [and the.]
bulrushes <07070> [the reeds.]
cultivated land <04218> [every.]
[be no more. Heb. shall not be.]
make <05647> [work.]
turn pale <02355> [net works. or, white works.]
cloth <08356> [purposes. Heb. foundations. make.]
depressed <05315> [for fish. or, of living things.]
officials <08269> [the princes.]
Zoan <06814> [Zoan.]
stupid <01197> [brutish.]
one <01121> [I am.]
where oh ..... wise <0335 0645 02450> [where are thy.]
tell ..... find <05046 03045> [let them.]
officials ... Zoan ..... officials <06814 08269> [princes of Zoan.]
Memphis <05297> [Noph.]
rulers <06438> [stay. or, governors. Heb. corners.]
<04537> [hath mingled.]
undiscerning <07307 05773> [perverse spirit. Heb. spirit of perverseness. as a.]
women <0802> [like.]
brandishes <08573> [the shaking.]
land <0127> [the land.]
<06440> [because.]
time <03117> [that day.]
five <02568> [shall five.]
speak <01696> [speak.]
language <08193> [language. Heb. lip.]
swear <07650> [and swear.]
Sun <02041> [destruction. Heb. Heres, or, the sun.]
Instead of {heres,} "destruction," which is also the reading of Aquila, Theodotion, and the Syriac, fifteen MSS. and seven editions have {cheres,} "the sun;" agreeable to Symmachus, the Arabic, and Vulagte; while the Chaldee takes in both readings; and the LXX. reads [polis asedek,] "the city of righteousness," a name apparently contrived by the party of Onias, to give credit to his temple. As, however, {heres} in Arabic signifies a lion, Conrad Ikenius is of opinion that the place here mentioned is not Heliopolis, as is commonly supposed, but Leontopolis in the Heliopolitan nome, as it is termed in the letter of Onias to Ptolemy. The whole passage, from this verse to the end, contains a general intimation of the propagation of the knowledge of the true God in Egypt and Syria, under the successors of Alexander, and the early reception of the gospel in the same countries.
visual reminder <0226 05707> [for a.]
cry out <06817> [they shall.]
send <07971> [he shall send.]
Lord ... reveal ......... acknowledge ... Lord's .................. Lord <03068 03045> [Lord shall.]
authority ....... present ..... they <05647> [and shall.]
make <05087> [shall vow.]
strike ... striking <05062> [he shall smite.]
turn <07725> [they shall.]
Israel <03478> [shall.]
blessing <01293> [a blessing.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
blessing ...... Blessed <01288> [Blessed.]
Israel <03478> [and Israel.]
commanding general <08661> [Tartan.]
Tartan was one of the generals of Sennacherib, who, it is probable, is here called Sargon, and in the book of Tobit, Sacherdonus and Sacherdan, against whom Tirhakah, king of Cush or Ethiopia, was in league with the king of Egypt.
Ashdod <0795> [Ashdod.]
captured <03920> [and took.]
Isaiah <03470> [Isaiah. Heb. the hand of Isaiah. Go.]
sackcloth <08242> [the sackcloth.]
<02502> [put.]
undergarments <06174> [naked.]
three <07969> [three.]
object lesson <0226> [a sign.]
Egypt <04714> [upon Egypt.]
king <04428> [shall.]
Egypt ....................... Egyptians <04714> [Egyptians. Heb. captivity of Egypt. with their.]
publicly humiliated <06172> [shame. Heb. nakedness.]
afraid <02865> [afraid.]
pride <08597> [their glory.]
coast <0339> [isle. or, country.]
fled <05127> [whither.]
escape <04422> [and how.]
message <04853> [The burden.]
The first ten verses of this chapter contain a prediction of the taking of Babylon by the Medes and Persians; which is here denominated "the desert of the sea," because the country around it, and especially towards the sea, was a great morass, often overflowed by the Tigris and Euphrates, and only rendered habitable by being drained by a number of canals.
Desert ................ desert <04057> [the desert.]
strong winds <05492> [As whirlwinds.]
Desert ................ desert ....... feared <04057 03372> [from.]
distressing <07186> [grievous. Heb. hard.]
deceiver deceives <0898> [the treacherous.]
Attack <05927> [Go up.]
groaning <0585> [all the.]
stomach <04975> [are.]
cramps overwhelm ..... contractions <06735 0270> [pangs have.]
disturbed <05753> [I was bowed.]
My heart <08582 03824> [heart panted. or, mind wandered. the night.]
brought <07760> [turned. Heb. put.]
eat <0398> [eat.]
Get up <06965> [arise.]
<03212> [Go.]
sees <07200> [And he saw.]
must <07181> [he hearkened.]
guard cries out <0738 07121> [cried, A lion. or, cried as a lion.]
stand <05975> [I stand.]
night <03915> [whole nights. or, every night.]
coming <0935> [behold.]
Babylon <0894> [Babylon.]
idols <06456> [all.]
downtrodden <04098> [my threshing.]
people <01121> [corn. Heb. son. that which.]
Dumah <01746> [Dumah.]
Dumah is probably the same as Dumatha, a city of Arabia, mentioned by Stephanus, and the modern Dumah and Dumathalgandel, on the borders of Arabia and Syria, in a rocky valley. The Edomites, says Bp. Lowth, as well as Jews, were subdued by the Babylonians. They enquire of the prophet how long their subjection is to last; he intimates that the Jews should be delivered from their captivity; not so the Edomites. "The morning cometh, and also the night."
Seir <08165> [me out.]
night ........ night <03915> [what.]
Morning <01242> [The morning.]
ask ask <01158> [if.]
Arabia ...... Arabia <06152> [Arabia.]
caravans <0736> [O ye.]
Tema <08485> [Tema.]
Bring out <0857> [brought. or, bring ye.]
[from the swords. or, for fear of the swords. Heb. from the face of.]
year <08141> [according.]
Kedar <06938> [Kedar.]
archers <07198> [archers. Heb. bows. the mighty.]
Lord <03068> [for.]
Jeremiah 46:1--51:64
spoke <01697> [The word.]
This is a general title to the prophecies contained in this and the following chapters, concerning different nations which had less or more connexion with the Jews, either as enemies, neighbours, or allies. They were not delivered at the same time: to some the date is annexed; in others it is left uncertain.
nations <01471> [against.]
Egypt .......... Egypt <04714> [Against Egypt.]
Pharaoh Necho <06549> [Pharaoh-necho.]
[Pharaoh-nechoh.]
[Necho.]
Carchemish <03751> [Carchemish.]
fourth <07243> [in the.]
This is a poetical and ironical call to the Egyptians to muster their forces; and implies that all their courage and efforts would be vain.
Sharpen <04838> [furbish.]
armor <05630> [brigandines.]
soldiers <01368> [and their.]
defeated <03807> [beaten down. Heb. broken in pieces. fled apace. Heb. fled a flight.]
terror <04032> [fear.]
swiftest <07031> [not.]
stumble <03782> [stumble.]
north <06828> [toward.]
rises <05927> [Who.]
Nile <02975> [as a flood.]
rises ................ arise <05927> [riseth.]
rises ................ arise <05927> [I will go.]
Drive furiously <01984> [rage.]
Ethiopia <03568> [Ethiopians. Heb. Cush and Put.]
[Phut.]
[Phut.]
[Lubim.]
Lydia <03866> [Lydians.]
[Ludim.]
[Lud.]
day .............. day <03117> [the day.]
sword <02719> [the sword.]
north <06828> [the north.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
dear poor people <01330> [O virgin.]
useless <07723> [in vain.]
healing <08585> [thou shalt not be cured. Heb. no cure shall be unto thee.]
hear <08085> [heard.]
cries of distress <06682> [thy cry.]
trip over <03782> [stumbled.]
Nebuchadnezzar <05019> [Cir A.M. 3398. B.C. 606. Nebuchadrezzar.]
Migdol <04024> [Migdol.]
Take your positions <03320> [Stand.]
enemy army <02719> [the sword.]
soldiers <047> [thy.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
many stumble <03782 07235> [made many to fall. Heb. multiplied the faller. one.]
say <0559> [they said.]
Pharaoh <06547> [Pharaoh.]
swear <05002> [saith.]
Tabor <08396> [Tabor.]
Mount Carmel <03760> [Carmel.]
dear <01323> [thou.]
bags <06213 03627> [furnish thyself to go into captivity. Heb. make thee instruments of captivity.]
Memphis <05297> [Noph.]
Noph, or Moph, is the celebrated city of Memphis, as the Chaldee and LXX. render; long the residence of the ancient Egyptian kings, and situated fifteen miles above where the Delta begins, on the western side of the Nile. It was in the neighbourhood of Memphis that the famous pyramids were erected, whose grandeur and beauty still astonish the modern traveller: they are about twenty in number; the largest of which is 481 feet perpendicular height, and the area of its basis is on 480,249 square feet, or something more than eleven acres, being exactly the size of Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. The immense ruins between the northern and southern pyramids, and about fourteen miles from Cairo, still called Memf, Menf, or Menouf, seem to mark the site of this city.
waste <08047> [waste.]
beautiful <03304> [a very.]
attack <0935> [it cometh.]
mercenaries <07916> [her hired.]
pampered well-fed <04770> [like.]
pampered well-fed calves <05695 04770> [fatted bullocks. Heb. bullocks of the stall.]
stand <05975> [they did.]
time <03117> [the day.]
hissing <06963> [voice.]
come <0935> [and come.]
<03772> [cut.]
numerous <07231> [because.]
dear <01323> [daughter.]
put <05414> [she shall.]
Amon <0527> [multitude. or, nourisher. Heb. Amon. No.]
God ...................... gods <0430> [with their.]
kings <04428> [and their.]
trust <0982> [and all.]
hand <05414> [I will.]
later <0310> [and afterward.]
afraid <03372> [fear.]
rescue <03467> [I will save.]
terrified <02865 08252> [and be.]
destroy ............. destroy <06213> [for I am.]
destroy ............. destroy <06213> [make.]
destroy ............. destroy <06213> [but I will not.]
discipline <03256> [correct.]
unpunished <05352> [will I.]
unpunished <05352> [not leave thee wholly unpunished. or, not utterly cut thee off.]
Philistines <06430> [Cir. A.M. 3387. B.C. 617. against.]
Gaza <05804> [Gaza. Heb. Azzah.]
water <04325> [waters.]
north <06828> [out of.]
everything <04393> [all that is therein. Heb. the fulness thereof.]
People <0120> [then the.]
hear <06963> [the noise.]
Fathers <01> [the fathers.]
time <03117> [the day.]
Tyre <06865> [Tyrus.]
help <05826> [every.]
remnant <07611> [the remnant.]
island <0339> [country. Heb. isle.]
Crete <03731> [Caphtor.]
[Caphtorim.]
[Caphthorim.]
shave ... heads <07144> [Baldness.]
Gaza <05804> [Gaza.]
who remain <07611> [the remnant.]
gash <01413> [how.]
sword <02719> [thou sword.]
<03808> [how long.]
Go back .... sheath <0622 08593> [put up thyself. Heb. gather thyself. into.]
rest <08252> [can it. Heb. canst not. the Lord.]
seacoast <03220> [the sea.]
ordered <03259> [hath he.]
Moab <04124> [A.M. cir. 3420. B.C. cir. 584. Moab.]
Nebo <05015> [Nebo.]
<04869> [Misgab. or, The high place.]
praise <08416> [no more.]
Heshbon <02809> [Heshbon.]
<03212> [come.]
<01826> [thou shalt.]
<01826> [cut down. or, brought to silence.]
[Madmenah. pursue thee. Heb. go after thee.]
Cries <06963> [voice.]
Horonaim <02773> [Horonaim.]
Moab <04124> [Moab.]
This prophecy against Moab, as well as the following ones concerning Ammon, Edom, and the neighbouring countries, seem to have been fulfilled during the long siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. Josephus places these events five years after the destruction of Jerusalem.
distress <06810> [her.]
Luhith <03872> [Luhith.]
Luhith is placed by Eusebius between Areopolis, or Ar, and Zoar. (See ver. 34.) It was evidently situated upon a height; as was also Horonaim, which was probably not far from Luhith.
weeping <01065> [continual weeping. Heb. weeping with weeping.]
Run <05127> [Flee.]
be ..... shrub <01961 06176> [be like.]
shrub <06176> [the heath. or, a naked tree.]
trust <0982> [because.]
god Chemosh <03645> [Chemosh.]
priests <03548> [his priests.]
destroyer <07703> [the spoiler.]
town .... town <05892> [and no.]
gravestone <06731> [wings.]
cities <05892> [the cities.]
curse ............. curse <0779> [Cursed.]
lax <07423> [deceitfully. or, negligently.]
lived undisturbed <07599> [hath been.]
settle undisturbed <08252> [he hath.]
poured out <07324> [emptied.]
[thereof.]
<05975> [remained. Heb. stood.]
empty ... out .... empty the towns <06808> [wanderers.]
<07324> [empty.]
disappointed .......... disappointed <0954> [ashamed.]
<01004> [as the.]
say <0559> [How.]
mighty <01368> [We.]
destroyed <07703> [spoiled.]
finest <04005> [his chosen. Heb. the choice of his, etc.]
affirm <05002> [saith.]
<08034> [whose.]
<07138> [near.]
Mourn <05110> [bemoan.]
powerful <05797> [How.]
<01323> [daughter.]
Dibon <01769> [Dibon.]
sit on ....... live <03427> [and sit.]
destroy <07703> [the spoiler.]
live <03427> [inhabitant. Heb. inhabitress. Aroer.]
Question <07592> [ask.]
disgraced <03001> [confounded.]
Arnon <0769> [Arnon.]
plain <04334> [the plain.]
Jahzah <03096> [Jahazah.]
[Jahaza.]
[Jahaz.]
Dibon <01769> [Dibon.]
Beth Diblathaim <01015> [Beth-diblathaim.]
[Almon-diblathaim.]
[Diblath.]
Kiriathaim <07156> [Kiriathaim.]
[Shaveh Kiriathaim.]
[Kirjathaim. Beth-meon.]
[Baal-meon.]
[Beth-baal-meon.]
Kerioth <07152> [Kerioth.]
Bozrah <01224> [Bozrah.]
[Bezer.]
[Bezor.]
might <07161> [horn.]
power <02220> [and his.]
vaunted <07937> [ye him.]
wrath <01431> [for he.]
splashes <05606> [wallow.]
laughingstock <07814> [and he also.]
Israel <03478> [was not.]
<04672> [was he found.]
talked <05110> [skippedst. or, movedst thyself.]
Leave <05800> [leave.]
dove <03123> [like.]
heard <08085> [heard.]
arrogant <01363> [his loftiness.]
know <03045> [know.]
boastings ... prove <06213 0907> [his lies shall not so effect it. or, those on whom he stayeth (Heb. his bars) do not right.]
{Baddim,} as Lowth observes, sometimes means those who pretend to the art of divination. Though the soothsayers of Moab, upon whose skill she relies, promise him success, yet in the event it will appear there was no truth in what they said.
weep with sorrow <03213> [will I howl.]
Kir Heres <07025> [Kir-heres.]
[Kar-haraseth.]
[Kir-hareseth.]
grapevines <01612> [vine.]
[Shibmah.]
Jazer ....................... Jazer <03270> [Jazer.]
[Jaazer.]
destroyer <07703> [the spoiler.]
Joy <08057> [joy.]
wine <03196> [caused.]
Cries of anguish <02201> [the cry.]
Elealeh <0500> [Elealeh.]
Jahaz <03096> [Jahaz.]
[Jahazah. Zoar.]
Eglath Shelishiyah <05697 07992> [as an heifer of.]
As a young cow, when deprived of her first calf; which runs about from place to place, filling the air with loud and repeated lowings, expressive of the deepest distress.
Nimrim <05249> [Nimrim.]
[Nimrah.]
[Beth-nimrah.]
dried <04923> [desolate. Heb. desolations.]
offerings <05927> [him that offereth.]
heart ..................... heart <03820> [mine heart.]
Kir Heres <07025> [Kir-heres.]
wealth <03502> [the riches.]
heads <07218> [every head.]
cut off <01639> [clipped. Heb. diminished. cuttings.]
<04975> [upon the loins.]
housetops <01406> [upon.]
break <07665> [broken.]
shattered <02865> [How is it.]
turn away <06203> [back. Heb. neck. a derision.]
swoop down <01675> [he shall.]
outspread <06566> [spread.]
<07152> [Kerioth. or, The cities.]
<03820> [as the heart.]
Moab <04124> [Moab.]
Moab has long since ceased to be a nation; while the Jews, agreeably to the Divine promise, (ch. 46:28,) though successively subdued and oppressed by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Syro-Macedonians, and Romans, (which have also all passed away, and are no more,) and dispersed over the face of the earth, subsist to this day as a distinct people from all the nations of the world!
nation <05971> [from.]
vaunted <01431> [magnified.]
<05127> [that fleeth.]
time <08141> [the year.]
fire <0784> [a fire.]
burn <0398> [devour.]
war-loving people <01121 07588> [tumultuous ones. Heb. children of noise.]
doomed <0188> [Woe.]
people <05971> [the people.]
captive ......... exile <07628 07633> [captives. Heb. in captivity.]
reverse <07725> [Yet will I bring.]
Many of the Moabites were afterwards restored to their country by Cyrus, as we learn from Josephus; but they never were restored to their national consequence; and perhaps their restoration in the latter days refers to the conversion of their scattered remnants to the gospel.
to come <0319> [in the latter.]
Ammonites ......... people of the nation <01121> [A.M. 3421. B.C. 583. Concerning. or, Against.]
Ammonites ......... people of the nation <01121> [Ammonites.]
<04428> [their king. or, Melcom.]
cities <05892> [cities.]
sound <08643> [that I will.]
Rabbah <07237> [Rabbah.]
[Rabbath.]
villages <01323> [her daughters.]
Israel <03478> [shall Israel.]
Wail <03213> [Howl.]
Put on <02296> [gird.]
Run about <07751> [run.]
god Milcom <04428> [their king. or, Melcom.]
[Milcom.]
[Malcham.]
<03212> [shall go.]
brag about <01984> [gloriest.]
great power ... power ... ebbing away <02100 06010> [thy flowing valley. or, they valley floweth away. O backsliding.]
trust <0982> [trusted.]
attack <0935> [Who.]
bring <0935> [I will.]
scattered <05080> [ye shall.]
gather <06908> [none.]
Edom <0123> [Edom.]
wisdom ...................... wisdom <02451> [Is wisdom.]
Teman <08487> [Teman.]
flee <05127> [Flee.]
Turn <06437> [turn back. or, they are turned back. dwell.]
Dedan <01719> [Dedan.]
bring .......... decided <0935> [for.]
grape pickers <01219> [grape-gatherers.]
needed <01767> [till they have enough. Heb. their sufficiency.]
Esau's <06215> [I have made.]
hiding places <04565> [his secret.]
children <02233> [his seed.]
[he is not.]
orphans <03490> [thy fatherless.]
widows <0490> [let thy.]
deserve <04941> [they whose.]
solemnly swear <07650> [I have.]
Bozrah <01224> [Bozrah.]
object of horror <08047> [a desolation.]
heard <08085> [heard.]
messenger <06735> [an ambassador.]
Gather <06908> [Gather.]
terror <08606> [terribleness.]
home <07931> [dwellest.]
nest <07064> [though.]
Edom <0123> [Edom.]
pass by <05674> [every.]
hiss out their scorn <08319> [shall hiss.]
destroyed <04114> [in the.]
<0376> [no man.]
coming up <05927> [he shall come.]
thick undergrowth <01347> [the swelling.]
call ... to account <03259> [who is like.]
call ... to account <03259> [appoint me the time. or, convent me in judgment.]
ruler <07462> [that shepherd.]
what <06098> [the counsel.]
Teman <08487> [Teman.]
little ones ........... land <06810 05116> [Surely.]
The prophet having given the name of the shepherd to the generals of the army, pursues the same metaphor, calling the common soldiers, "the least of the flock;" who shall have strength and courage enough to the defeat the Idumean forces.
land <05116> [make.]
earth <0776> [earth.]
[Red sea. Heb. Weedy sea.]
soar up <05927> [he shall.]
Bozrah <01224> [Bozrah.]
soldiers ....... fearful <03820 01368> [the heart of the.]
Damascus <01834> [Damascus.]
Hamath <02574> [Hamath.]
melt away <04127> [faint-hearted. Heb. melted.]
worry <01674> [sorrow.]
<03220> [on the sea. or, as on the sea.]
anguish <06869> [anguish.]
set <03341> [I will.]
Ben Hadad <01130> [Ben-hadad.]
Kedar ................... Kedar <06938> [Kedar.]
Hazor <02674> [Hazor.]
go <06965> [Arise.]
Lay waste <07703> [spoil.]
tents <0168> [tents.]
curtains <03407> [curtains.]
camels <01581> [camels.]
Terror <04032> [Fear.]
quickly <05110 03966> [get you far off. Heb. flit greatly. dwell.]
Nebuchadnezzar <05019> [for.]
Babylon <07961> [wealthy nations. or, nation that is at ease.]
lives in <03427> [that.]
live <07931> [which dwell.]
camels <01581> [their camels.]
scatter <02219> [I will scatter.]
short .... temples <06285 07112> [in the utmost corners. Heb. cut off into corners, or, that have the corners of their hair polled.]
Hazor <02674> [Hazor.]
Hazor as well as Kedar, with which it is joined, (ver. 28,) was no doubt situated in Arabia, and a place of considerable importance; but it is now no more, and its very name seems to have perished.
place where only ... live <04583> [a dwelling.]
Elam <05867> [Cir. A.M. 3406. B.C. 598. Elam.]
Elam, the Elyma‹s of the Greeks and Romans, was properly a province of the Persian empire, between Media and Susiana; but sometimes the name Elam is used in a larger sense, including Susiana and other provinces, (see Da 8:2,) all of which were subdued by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards restored and raised to dignity by Cyrus.
kill <07665> [break.]
archers <07198> [the bow.]
Strabo says that the mountainous part of Elyma‹s chiefly bred archers; and Livy speaks of {Elym‘i sagittarii,} "the Elymean archers."
winds ...... four .............. four winds <0702 07307> [the four winds.]
scatter <02219> [scatter.]
refugees <05080> [the outcasts.]
terrified <02865> [to be.]
enemies <0341> [their enemies.]
send <02719 07971> [I will send the sword.]
to come <0319> [in the.]
reverse <07725> [I will.]
Babylon <0894> [A.M. 3409. B.C. 595. against Babylon.]
land <0776> [the land.]
Jeremiah <03414> [Jeremiah. Heb. the hand of Jeremiah]
Announce <05046> [Declare.]
it <05375> [set up. Heb. lift up.]
Babylon <0894> [Babylon.]
Bel <01078> [Bel.]
Marduk <04781> [Merodach.]
idols <06091> [her idols.]
Xerxes, after his return from his unsuccessful expedition into Greece, partly out of religious zeal, being a professed enemy to image worship, and partly to reimburse himself after his immense expenses, seized the sacred treasures, and plundered or destroyed the temples and idols of Babylon, thereby accomplishing the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah. (Isa 21:9; 46:1. Jer 50:2; 51:44, 47, 52.) What God declares, "I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth that which he has swallowed," was also literally fulfilled, when the vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of Bel, Da 1:2, were restored by order of Cyrus, Ezr 1:7, and again carried to Jerusalem. Bp. Newton, Dis. X.
north <06828> [out of the.]
The Medes, who formed the greatest part of the army of Cyrus. Media lay N.E. of Babylon.
lay <07896> [which.]
People <0120> [both.]
When <03117> [those.]
people of Israel <01121 03478> [the children of Israel.]
come back ..... repentance <01980> [going.]
seek <01245 03068> [seek the.]
ask <07592> [ask.]
come <0935> [Come.]
lasting <05769> [in a.]
forgotten <07911> [that shall.]
people <05971> [people.]
shepherds <07462> [their shepherds.]
mountains ....... mountain <02022> [on the.]
forgotten <07911> [have forgotten.]
resting place <07258> [resting place. Heb. place to lie down in.]
devoured <0398> [have devoured.]
liable <0816> [We offend.]
pasture <05116> [the habitation.]
trusted <04723> [the hope.]
of <08432> [out of the midst.]
male goats <06260> [he goats.]
rouse <05782> [I will raise.]
host <06951> [an assembly.]
The army of Cyrus was composed of Medes, Persians, Armenians, Caducians, Sac‘, etc.; all of which, arranged under the Medes, came from the north.
lines <06186> [they shall.]
who <07919> [expert man. or, destroyer. none.]
Babylonia <03778> [Chaldea.]
plundered <07997> [all that.]
happy <08055> [ye were.]
plundered <08154> [ye destroyers.]
frolic <06335> [ye are.]
frolic <06335> [fat. Heb. big. or, corpulent.]
neighs .... stallion <047 06670> [bellow as bulls. or, neigh as steeds.]
Babylonia <0517> [mother.]
<0319> [the hindermost.]
barren <04057> [a wilderness.]
vent my wrath <07110> [Because.]
pass by <05674> [every.]
positions <06186> [in array.]
soldiers <01869> [bend.]
sinned <02398> [for she.]
Shout <07321> [Shout.]
will ............................... Do ....... done <05414 06213> [she hath.]
towers <0803> [her foundations.]
revenge <05360> [for it.]
Do ....... done <06213> [as she.]
sow <02232> [the sower.]
sickle <04038> [sickle. or, scythe. they shall turn every one.]
scattered <06340> [a scattered.]
lions <0738> [the lions.]
First <07223> [first.]
Nebuchadnezzar <05019> [this.]
punish ............ punished <06485> [as I.]
But .... restore <07725> [bring.]
graze <07462> [he shall.]
<05315> [his soul.]
hills <02022> [mount.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
When <03117> [In those.]
guilt <05771> [the iniquity.]
sin <02403> [and there.]
forgive <05545> [I will pardon.]
<05927> [up.]
Merathaim <04850> [Merathaim. or, the rebels. Pekod. or, visitation.]
Do <06213> [and do.]
set a trap <03369> [snare.]
knew <03045> [and thou wast.]
fought <01624> [because.]
opened <06605> [opened.]
work <04399> [this.]
far away <07093> [against.]
far away <07093> [the utmost. Heb. the end. open.]
Pile ... up <05549> [cast her up. or, tread her.]
Destroy <02763> [destroy.]
soldiers <06499> [bullocks.]
day <03117> [their day.]
Listen <06963> [voice.]
declare <05046> [to declare.]
revenge ... revenge ......... temple <05360 01964> [vengeance of his.]
archers <07228> [the archers.]
Pay <07999> [recompense.]
proudly <02102> [for she hath.]
young men <0970> [Therefore.]
Gobrias and Gadates, when they entered Babylon, marched directly to the palace, killing all they met.
young men <0970> [her young.]
<0582> [all her.]
proud <02087> [I am.]
proud <02087> [O thou.]
proud <02087> [most proud. Heb. pride. for.]
proud <02087> [the most proud. Heb. pride.]
get up <06965> [none.]
set <03341> [kindle.]
captive <07617> [and all.]
refuse <03985> [they refused.]
one who will rescue <01350> [Redeemer.]
strongly champion <07378> [plead.]
rest <07280> [that he.]
Destructive <02719> [sword.]
leaders <08269> [upon her princes.]
wisdom <02450> [her wise men.]
false prophets <0907> [upon the liars. or, upon the chief stays. Heb. bars.]
fools <02973> [dote.]
soldiers <01368> [her mighty.]
horses <05483> [their horses.]
<06153> [all the.]
women <0802> [as women.]
treasures <0214> [her treasures.]
drought <02721> [A drought.]
land <0776> [the land.]
<01984> [mad.]
armed with <02388> [hold.]
cruel <0394> [they are cruel.]
sound <06963> [their voice.]
ride forth <07392> [shall ride.]
king <04428> [king.]
agony <02427> [pangs.]
lion <0738> [like a lion.]
<0977> [who is a.]
call ... to account <03259> [for who.]
call ... to account <03259> [appoint me the time. or, convent me to plead. who is that.]
listen <08085> [hear.]
little ones <06810> [the least.]
land <05116> [surely he.]
We have already adverted to the completion of the prophecies respecting the final destruction of Babylon, (on Isa 13:18,) and shall only add a few more observations, in order to shew more clearly the full accomplishment of some of these predictions. Strabo says that in his time (about the Christian era) a great part of it was a desert. Jerome says that in his time (cir. A.D. 340) it was quite in ruins, the walls merely serving for an inclosure for wild beasts, for the hunting of the kings of Parthia: and modern travellers universally concur in describing it in a state of utter desolation, and the habitation of wild beasts and noxious reptiles.
blow <05782> [I will.]
<03820> [midst. Heb. heart. rise.]
destructive wind <07307 07843> [a destroying wind.]
people <02114> [fanners.]
time <03117> [in the day.]
string <01869> [let the.]
coats of armor <05630> [brigandine.]
spare <02550> [spare.]
destroy <02763> [destroy.]
wounded <01856> [thrust.]
Israel ............................... Israel <03478> [Israel.]
Judah <03063> [nor.]
land <0776> [though.]
Get out <05127> [Flee.]
killed <01826> [be not.]
time <06256> [for this.]
pay ... back <07999> [he will render.]
gold <02091> [a golden.]
nations ........... they <01471> [the nations.]
gone mad <01984> [are mad.]
suddenly <06597> [suddenly.]
Cry out in mourning <03213> [howl.]
Get medicine <06875 03947> [take balm.]
but ........ leave <05800> [forsake.]
judgment .................... stacked <04941> [her judgment.]
exiles from <03318> [brought.]
proclaim <05608> [let us.]
Sharpen <01305> [Make.]
Sharpen <01305> [bright. Heb. pure. the Lord hath.]
spirit <07307> [the spirit.]
Of Cyaxares king of Media, called "Darius the Mede" in scripture; and of Cyrus his nephew, king of persia, presumptive heir of the throne of his uncle.
intends <04209> [his device.]
revenge ....... revenge <05360> [the vengeance.]
signal ... attack <05251> [the standard.]
ambush <0693> [ambushes. Heb. liers in wait.]
Lord ....... planned <03068 02161> [the Lord hath both.]
live <07931> [dwellest.]
Babylon <07227> [abundant.]
end <07093> [thine.]
<0520> [and the.]
sworn <07650> [sworn.]
sworn <05315> [himself. Heb. his soul. as with.]
swarm <06030> [lift up. Heb. utter.]
He ......... made <06213> [hath made.]
wisdom <02451> [by his wisdom.]
spread <05186> [and hath.]
thunders <05414> [he uttereth.]
roar <01995> [there is.]
roar <01995> [multitude. or, noise. and he causeth.]
unleashes <03318> [bringeth.]
idolaters .......... goldsmith <0120 06884> [Every.]
stupid and ignorant <01847 01197> [brutish by his knowledge. or, more brutish than to know. for his.]
worthless <01892> [vanity.]
time <06256> [in the.]
portion <02506> [portion.]
created <03335> [the former.]
people <07626> [the rod.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
war club <04661> [art.]
smash ....... destroy <05310 07843> [with thee. or, in thee, or, by thee. break.]
destructive <04889> [I am.]
destructive <04889> [O destroying.]
destroys <07843> [which destroyest.]
make <05414> [and will.]
use <03947> [shall not.]
desolate forever <05769 08077> [desolate for ever. Heb. everlasting desolations.]
Raise up <05375> [ye up.]
Prepare <06942> [prepare.]
Ararat <0780> [Ararat.]
Bochart reasonably concludes Ararat and Minni to be the greater and lesser Armenia; and Ashchenaz he thinks formed part of Phrygia near the Hellespont, part of that country being called Ascania by Homer. Cyrus had conquered Armenia, defeated Croesus king of Lydia, (B.C. 548,) and subdued several nations from the Egean sea to the Euphrates, before he marched against Babylon; and Xenophon also informs us that there were not only Armenians, but both Phrygians and Cappadocians in the army of Cyrus.
Ashkenaz <0813> [Ashchenaz.]
[Ashkenaz.]
horses <05483> [cause.]
After Cyrus had been the instrument in the hands of God of taking Babylon, he marched against Tomyris, queen of the Massaget‘, a Scythian nation, and was totally defeated, (B.C. 530.) The victorious queen, who had lost her son in a previous battle, was so incensed against Cyrus, that she cut off his head, and threw it into a vessel filled with human blood, exclaiming, "Sattia te sanguine, quem sitisti."
kings <04428> [the kings.]
[Madia.]
earth ..................... land <0776> [the land.]
plans <04284> [every.]
soldiers <01368> [The mighty.]
Accordingly, the Babylonians, after the loss of a battle or two, never recovered their courage to the face the enemy in the field, they retired within their walls; and the first time that Cyrus came with his army before the place he could not provoke them to venture forth, though he challenged the king to fight a duel with him; and the last time he came he consulted with his officers respecting the best mode of carrying on the siege "since," said he, "they do not come out to fight."
gates <01280> [her bars.]
runner ... another .......... messenger <07323> [post.]
bringing news .... bring news <05046> [to shew.]
fords <04569> [the passages.]
<0582> [the men.]
threshing floor <01637> [is like.]
time ......... harvested <06256 01869> [it is time to thresh her. or, in the time that he thresheth her. the time.]
King <04428> [the king.]
drove .... out <03322> [he hath made.]
swallowed <01104> [swallowed.]
violence <02555> [The violence. Heb. My violence.]
relatives <07607> [flesh. or, remainder. inhabitant. Heb. inhabitress.]
stand up <07378> [I will plead. See on ch.]
pay .... back <05358> [take.]
dry up <02717> [and I will.]
heap <01530> [become.]
hissing <08322> [an hissing.]
roaring <07580> [roar.]
growling <05286> [yell. or, shake themselves.]
appetites <02527> [their heat.]
<03462> [and sleep.]
Babylon <08347> [Sheshach.]
Sheshach was probably an idol worshipped at Babylon, from which the city derived this name; and the festival which was held when the city was taken, when they were heated with wine, was perhaps observed in honour of it.
pride <08416> [the praise.]
object of horror <08047> [an astonishment.]
towns <05892> [cities.]
<0776> [a land.]
punish <06485> [I will punish.]
spit out <03318> [I will bring.]
nations <01471> [the nations.]
walls <02346> [the wall.]
out <03318> [go.]
save <04422> [deliver.]
courage <03824> [lest. or, let not.]
reports .......... report ... come ...... report <08052 0935> [a rumour shall.]
ruler .... ruler <04910> [ruler against.]
punish <06485> [I will.]
punish ... idols <06485 06456> [do judgment upon. Heb. visit upon.]
land <0776> [her whole.]
heaven <08064> [the heaven.]
destroyers <07703> [the spoilers.]
Babylon ........... just as ......... Babylon <01571 0894> [As Babylon, etc. or, Both Babylon is to fall, O ye slain of]
Israel and with Babylon shall fall the slain of all the country. hath.
<06405> [escaped.]
Remember <02142> [remember.]
Jerusalem <03389> [Jerusalem.]
ashamed <0954> [are confounded.]
disgrace <03639> [shame.]
foreigners <02114> [for strangers.]
punish <06485> [that I.]
idols <06456> [her graven images.]
This was verified when Xerxes destroyed all the temples of Babylon, B.C. 479.
mortally wounded <02491> [the wounded.]
climbs <05927> [mount.]
destroyers <07703> [from.]
put an end <06> [destroyed.]
waves <01530> [her waves.]
destroyer <07703> [the spoiler.]
warriors <01368> [her mighty.]
bows <07198> [every.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
drunk <07937> [I will.]
asleep forever <08142 03462 05769> [sleep a.]
King <04428> [the king.]
Babylon's thick wall <07342 02346 0894> [The broad walls of Babylon. or, The walls of broad Babylon.]
According to the testimony of Herodotus, the circumference of the walls of Babylon was 480 stadia, or 60 miles, their breadth 50 cubits, and their height 200 cubits; but when Darius became master of the place, B.C. 516, he took away all their 100 gates of brass, and beat down their walls to 50 cubits; and now not a vestige of these immense fortifications remains, to mark the site of this once mighty city!
completely demolished <06209> [broken. or, made naked. high gates.]
peoples <05971> [the people.]
Neriah <05374> [Neriah.]
Zedekiah <06667> [with. or, on the behalf of. quiet prince. or, prince of]
Menucha, or chief chamberlain.
make sure <07200> [and shalt see.]
read <07121> [read.]
destroy <03772> [to cut.]
[desolation. Heb. desolations.]
tie <07194> [thou shalt bind.]
This was the emblem of its overthrow and irretrievable ruin; and the same emblem is employed in Re 18:21, to denote the utter ruin of mystical Babylon.
Babylon <0894> [Thus shall.]
prophecies <03286> [they shall.]
<01697> [Thus far.]
Zechariah 1:15
little <04592> [for.]
greatly ................... but ....... worse <01419 05826> [and.]
