Commentary Critical
and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible
(1871)
Robert Jamieson
A. R. Fausset
and
David Brown
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to the Pentateuch and Historical Books
Introduction to the Poetical Books
Introduction to the Prophetical Books
Introduction to the Prophets of the Restoration
Chronological Table of the Parables of Christ
Chronological Table of the Miracles of Christ
Chronological Table of the Events of the Life of Paul
OLD TESTAMENT | NEW TESTAMENT |
INTRODUCTION
TO THE PENTATEUCH AND HISTORICAL BOOKS
by Robert Jamieson
The Pentateuch, the name by which the first five books of the Bible are designated, is derived from two Greek words, pente, “five,” and teuchos, a “volume,” thus signifying the fivefold volume. Originally these books formed one continuous work, as in the Hebrew manuscripts they are still connected in one unbroken roll. At what time they were divided into five portions, each having a separate title, is not known, but it is certain that the distinction dates at or before the time of the Septuagint translation. The names they bear in our English version are borrowed from the Septuagint, and they were applied by those Greek translators as descriptive of the principal subjects—the leading contents of the respective books. In the later Scriptures they are frequently comprehended under the general designation, The Law, The Book of the Law, since, to give a detailed account of the preparations for, and the delivery of, the divine code, with all the civil and sacred institutions that were peculiar to the ancient economy, is the object to which they are exclusively devoted. They have always been placed at the beginning of the Bible, not only on account of their priority in point of time, but as forming an appropriate and indispensable introduction to the rest of the sacred books. The numerous and oft-recurring references made in the later Scriptures to the events, the ritual, and the doctrines of the ancient Church would have not only lost much of their point and significance, but have been absolutely unintelligible without the information which these five books contain. They constitute the groundwork or basis on which the whole fabric of revelation rests, and a knowledge of the authority and importance that is thus attached to them will sufficiently account for the determined assaults that infidels have made on these books, as well as for the zeal and earnestness ...
THE PARABLES OF CHRIST
by David Brown
Parables | Where Spoken | Where Recorded |
The two debtors | [Capernaum] | |
The strong man armed | Galilee | |
The unclean spirit | Galilee | |
The sower of Galilee | Seashore | Mt 13:3–9, 18–23; Mt 13:3–9, 18–23, Mk 4:3–9, 14–20; Mt 13:3–9, 18–23, Mk 4:3–9, 14–20, Lu 8:5–8, 11–15. |
The tares and wheat | Seashore of Galilee | |
The mustard seed | Seashore of Galilee | |
The seed growing secretly | Seashore of Galilee | |
The leaven | Seashore of Galilee | |
The hid treasure | Seashore of Galilee | |
The pearl of great price | Seashore of Galilee | |
The draw net | Seashore of Galilee | |
The unmerciful servant | Capernaum | |
The good Samaritan | Near Jerusalem | |
The friend at midnight | Near Jerusalem | |
The rich fool | Galilee | |
The barren fig tree | Galilee | |
The great supper | Perea | |
The lost sheep | Perea | |
The lost piece of money | Perea | |
The prodigal son | Perea | |
The good shepherd | Jerusalem | |
The unjust steward | Perea | |
The rich man and Lazarus | Perea | |
The profitable servants | Perea | |
The importunate widow | Perea | |
The Pharisees and publicans | Perea | |
The laborers in the vineyard | Perea | |
The pounds | Jericho | |
The two sons | Jerusalem | |
The wicked husbandmen | Jerusalem | |
The marriage of the king’s son | Jerusalem | |
The ten virgins | Mount of Olives | |
The talents | Mount of Olives |
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF
THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST
by David Brown
On the order of some of our Lord’s Miracles and Parables, the data being scanty, considerable difference obtains.
Miracles | Where Wrought | Where Recorded |
Water made wine | Cana | |
Traders cast out out of the temple | Jerusalem | |
Nobleman’s son healed | Cana | |
First miraculous draught of fishes | Sea of Galilee | |
Leper healed | Capernaum | |
Centurion’s servant healed | Capernaum | |
Widow’s son raised to life | Nain | |
Demoniac healed | Capernaum | |
Peter’s mother-in-law healed | Capernaum | |
Paralytic healed | Capernaum | |
Impotent man healed | Jerusalem | |
Man with withered hand healed | Galilee | |
Blind and dumb demoniac healed | Galilee | |
Tempest stilled | Sea of Galilee | |
Demoniacs dispossessed | Gadara | |
Jairus’ daughter raised to life | Capernaum | |
Issue of blood healed | Near Capernaum | |
Two blind men restored to sight | Capernaum |
CHAPTER 10
Ge 10:1–32. Genealogies.
1. sons of Noah—The historian has not arranged this catalogue according to seniority of birth; for the account begins with the descendants of Japheth, and the line of Ham is given before that of Shem though he is expressly said to be the youngest or younger son of Noah; and Shem was the elder brother of Japheth (Ge 10:21), the true rendering of that passage.
generations, &c.—the narrative of the settlement of nations existing in the time of Moses, perhaps only the principal ones; for though the list comprises the sons of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, all their descendants are not enumerated. Those descendants, with one or two exceptions, are described by names indicative of tribes and nations and ending in the Hebrew im, or the English “-ite.”
5. the isles of the Gentiles—a phrase by which the Hebrews described all countries which were accessible by sea (Is 11:11; 20:6; Je 25:22). Such in relation to them were the countries of Europe, the peninsula of Lesser Asia, and the region lying on the east of the Euxine. Accordingly, it was in these quarters the early descendants of Japheth had their settlements.
6. sons of Ham—emigrated southward, and their settlements were: Cush in Arabia, Canaan in the country known by his name, and Mizraim in Egypt, Upper and Lower. It is generally thought that his father accompanied him and personally superintended the formation of the settlement, whence Egypt was called “the land of Ham” [Ps 105:23, 27; 106:22].
8. Nimrod—mentioned as eclipsing all his family in renown. He early distinguished himself by his daring and successful prowess in hunting wild beasts. By those useful services he earned a title to public gratitude; and, having established a permanent ascendancy over the people, he founded the first kingdom in the world [Ge 10:10].
10. the beginning of his kingdom—This kingdom, of course, though then considered great, would be comparatively limited in extent, and the towns but small forts.
11. Out of that land went forth Asshur—or, as the Margin has it, “He [Nimrod] at the head of his army went forth into Assyria,” that is, he pushed his conquests into that country.
and builded Nineveh—opposite the town of Mosul, on the Tigris, and the other towns near it. This raid into Assyria was an invasion of the territories of Shem, and hence the name “Nimrod,” signifying “rebel,” is supposed to have been conferred on him from his daring revolt against the divine distribution.
21. Unto Shem—The historian introduces him with marked distinction as “the father of Eber,” the ancestor of the Hebrews.
23. Aram—In the general division of the earth, the countries of Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Syria, fell to his descendants.
24. Arphaxad—The settlement of his posterity was in the extensive valley of Shinar, on the Tigris, towards the southern extremity of Mesopotamia, including the country of Eden and the region on the east side of the river.
25. Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided—After the flood ...
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