XV. This is the portrait of a perfect character after the ideal of Israel. We naturally compare with it, on the one hand, the heathen types of perfection as we see them in the ethical philosophy of Greece and Rome, and, on the other, the Christian standard as we see it in the New Testament and in m... [ Continue Reading ]
ABIDE... DWELL. — Properly, as in margin, _sojourn_ like a passing guest, and _dwell_ like a resident. But here the two terms are apparently used as synonyms. It was the natural form in which to put the question at Jerusalem, where God had His abode in the Temple, and we may paraphrase it thus: “Wha... [ Continue Reading ]
UPRIGHTLY. — Literally, _he whose walking is perfect rectitude._ In Proverbs 28:18 the same phrase occurs. Comp. Isaiah 33:15. SPEAKETH THE TRUTH IN HIS heart — _i.e., both thinks and speaks the truth._ “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow as the night the day, Thou canst... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT BACKBITETH NOT. — Literally, _he has not footed it on his tongue._ Very expressive of those who go about from house to house carrying tittle- tattle. (Comp. 1 Timothy 5:13.) REPROACH. — The Hebrew word has a striking derivation. Properly, _the stripping of the trees of autumn fruit;_ so, _s... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOSE EYES. — The first clause is obscure. The subject and predicate are not clearly marked; but the Authorised Version gives the right sense. It is quite out of keeping with the context to make both verbs predicates, and to translate, “He is despised and rejected in his own eyes,” _i.e., thinks... [ Continue Reading ]
Usury was not forbidden in the legitimate commercial dealings with foreigners (Deuteronomy 23:20); and the laws against it seem to have had exclusive reference to dealings among Israelites themselves, and were evidently enacted more with a view to the protection of the poor than because the idea of... [ Continue Reading ]