Dictionary: Rest
Synonyms: relax, take a rest, ease up/off, let up, slow down, pause, have/take a break, unbend, repose, laze, idle, loaf, do nothing, take time off, slack off, unwind, recharge one's batteries, be at leisure, take it easy, sit back, sit down, stand down, lounge, luxuriate, loll, slump, flop, put one's feet up, lie down, go to bed, have/take a nap, nap, catnap, doze, have/take a siesta, drowse, sleep, lie, be laid, recline, be, be placed, be positioned, support, prop (up), steady, balance, lean, lay, set, sit, stand, position, place, put, be based on, be grounded in, be founded on, depend on, be dependent on, rely on, hinge on, turn on, hang on, pivot on, be contingent on, revolve around, centre on, relaxation, leisure, ease, inactivity, respite, time off, time out, breathing space, break, interval, interlude, intermission, base, holder, stay, prop, brace, rack, hook, frame, shelf, bracket, trestle, tripod, plinth, pedestal, foundation, bed, foot, substructure, a standstill, a halt, a stop, remainder, residue, remaining part/number/quantity, part/number/quantity (that is) left over, others, those left, remains, remnant, remnants, rump, surplus, difference, extra, excess, superfluity, overflow, overspill, additional people/material/things, extra people/material/things, remain, continue to be, keep, persist in being, carry on being, go on being
Antonyms: work, motion, movement, struggle, rage, go mad, have a fit, see red, hit the roof, toil, be active, labor, effort, agony, activity, do, blow one's stack, blow a gasket, do one's nut, go ape, go wild, lose it, drive, action, move
Showing 3501 to 3525 of 4086 results
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
1:6–12 · The scene: the heavens. Amid an assembly of divine beings, the Adversary and God consider Job’s behavior. Contemplating the Adversary’s challenge about Job’s motivations, God agrees to allow Job to be tested. A council composed of divine beings is on the stage here. NIV’s “angels” too easily misdirects the modern reader. The idea of a divine council of deities is systemic throughout the ancient Near East. As but one example, the ancient West Semitic deity El presided over such a council (COS 1.86: ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
23:1–24:25 · Job’s previous speech (Job 21), where he challenged conventional wisdom, was a pause from the crescendo of his desire to stand before God. In these chapters, Job returns to the elusive courtroom.Job has earlier expressed his confidence in a vindicator (16:18–21) or kinsman-redeemer (19:23–29) to prosecute his case after his death. But Job wants none of that now (23:2–7). Perceiving no activity on God’s end, Job realizes that he must be the one to track down God. But whether Job goes east, west ...
3503. Psalm 43
Psalm 43:1-5
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Psalm 43:2 parallels 42:9, and 43:5 essentially duplicates 42:5, 11; however, Psalm 43 is not simply a smaller version of Psalm 42. Psalm 43 explodes with greater emotional intensity than does Psalm 42—there are more commands and entreaties (significantly more considering the relative sizes of the two psalms). In the parallel verses (43:2 and 42:9, respectively), “stronghold” (i.e., “fortress”) evokes more forceful imagery than does “rock,” and “rejected” is more actively intentional than “forgotten.” Even ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
With Proverbs 2, the parental speaker begins a positive recommendation of wisdom, which encompasses three lengthy exhortations (chaps. 2–4). Proverbs 2 lays the foundation, describing the source and primary benefits of wisdom, while chapters 3–4 offer more detailed descriptions of the values of wise behavior. One striking emphasis in Proverbs 2 is the acquisition of wisdom as the result of both intensive human effort and divine endowment, while the remaining instructions focus on the first of these two, ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Chapter 3 continues the positive recommendation of wisdom. Based on thematic development, the chapter can be subdivided into four subsections: 3:1–4, 5–12, 13–26, 27–35. Verses 1–4 set forth additional advantages of preserving wisdom instruction. The words “teaching” and “commands” (Hebrew torah and mitsvah, 3:1, also in 6:20, 23; 7:2) are commonly paired with reference to Mosaic law (cf. Exod. 24:12; Josh. 22:5). Parental instructions are authoritative, not simply good advice. To “forget” involves not ...
3506. Proverbs of Solomon
Proberbs 10:1--22:16
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
10:1–29:27 Review · Proverbial Collections: Advanced Instruction in Wisdom: If one views Proverbs 1–9 as a basic introduction to proverbial wisdom, then chapters 10–29 serve as the advanced course. Or, to express it differently, the prologue presents and commends wisdom, while the collections that follow illustrate the scope and variety of situations in which wisdom is advantageous (without absolutely guaranteeing success) if employed properly and in a timely manner. Proverbs 1–9 also gives the reader a ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Proverbs 31:10–31 is stylistically distinct from the preceding set of admonitions. (The only imperative [command] is in the final verse.) In a twenty-two-verse alphabetic poem, in which each succeeding verse begins with the next Hebrew letter, a woman is presented who embodies all of wisdom’s skills and virtues, from a to z. In context this section serves to counterbalance the initial admonition against sexual promiscuity in verse 3. At the same time, it takes up the sustained contrast within Proverbs 1–9 ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Qoheleth’s actual test is related in this strongly autobiographical section that has striking parallels with the Solomonic narrative in 1 Kings. Verse 10 might give the impression that these verses express his later sober reflections on an earlier period of sensual excesses, but the emphasis is rather on the intentional and restrained nature of his investigation (2:3b: “my mind still guiding me with wisdom”; verse 9b: “In all this my wisdom stayed with me”). He begins by testing himself with “pleasure.” ...
3509. Toil
Ecclesiastes 2:17-26
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
This leads to Qoheleth’s concluding evaluation of this area of investigation. On the negative side (2:17–23), he claims to have hated life. All work, especially his own life’s work, was “grievous” or burdensome to him (cf. Eccles. 1:13b), a futile pursuit of lasting gain (2:17–18a). His strong emotions here appear to contradict his previous assessment of the delight he derived from his labor (2:10b, but note 2:11) until he explains his response. First, upon death, a potentially foolish heir will take ...
3510. Wealth is Meaningless
Ecclesiastes 5:8--6:12
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
5:10–6:9 Review · Qoheleth concludes his examination of foundational human activities with an extensive and highly structured analysis of wealth. This section can be subdivided into three distinct scenarios involving wealth on the basis of the threefold use of “I saw” (5:13; 5:18; 6:1) as well as the striking verbal and conceptual parallels between 5:10–12 and 6:7–9. Two negative portraits (5:13–17; 6:1–6) frame a positive one (5:18–20). These three observations are in turn framed by an introduction and a ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
9:11–10:20 Review · If one understands “his hour” and “evil times” (literally “his time,” “bad time”) in 9:12 as referring to death (as in 7:17), then one can view 9:11–12 as the conclusion of the discourse on death. It is preferable, however, to view these verses as the introduction to the following section on the benefits of wisdom in contrast with folly. This chapter strongly resembles the book of Proverbs in both form and content and is more loosely organized than the rest of Ecclesiastes. 9:11–10:1 · ...
3512. Be Joyful & Reverent
Ecclesiastes 11:7--12:8
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
11:7–10 · The second subunit presents Qoheleth’s final commendation of joyful living, although the typical reference to eating and drinking is lacking here. The subunit begins by affirming that it is good to be alive (11:7, literally “to see the sun”; cf. 6:5). We should enjoy the light of each day God grants us, not knowing how many we will have and keeping in mind the many dark and meaningless days to follow (11:8). The reference here is to our death, as in 6:4, rather than to difficulties during life, ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
1:1–3:5 Review · The Shulammite Maiden: The title of the book, both English and Hebrew, is taken from the first verse. Literally translated, the verse reads, “the song of songs, which is of Solomon.” The expression “song of songs” is an idiom for the superlative in Hebrew—“the best song.” The word “song” is a generic term for any happy, festival song (cf. Isa. 24:9; 30:29). The possessive pronoun attributing the work to Solomon, if original, is ambiguous at best. The opening sections of the poem find the ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
1:1–12:6 Review · Prophecies against Judah: The first twelve chapters of Isaiah may be compared to a painting with three panels (a triptych). Isaiah’s call to be a prophet (chap. 6) is at the center, while the other two parts of the triptych concern judgment and hope. The first section (chaps. 1–5) is in the form of a covenantal lawsuit, and the third section (chaps. 7–12) presents God’s word of judgment and hope in the historical situation of the growing Assyrian Empire. A holistic approach to these ...
3515. Yahweh’s Sovereignty
Isaiah 44:24--45:25
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Yahweh is the Redeemer and has the power to renew his people (44:24–28). Within Yahweh are two creative forces: the force to create (re-create) and the force to redeem. Yahweh is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. However, he also re-creates everything in accordance with his purpose. This restoration (re-creation) makes the earth habitable for his people—an integral part of their redemption. Every act in the progression of redemption confirms his word. While in exile, Israel needed the reassurance ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
The stage is set for the book of Jeremiah by introducing person, place, event, and historical time (1:1–3). The person is Jeremiah, whose name probably means “the Lord is exalted.” He is from a priestly line. It is unclear whether Jeremiah came from the family of Abiathar, a priest exiled by David to Anathoth (1 Kings 2:26–27). The place is Anathoth, the modern Anata, two to three miles northeast of Jerusalem. The event is the coming of the word of God, which means that the subsequent book has a divine ...
3517. God and Idols
Jeremiah 10:1-16, Jeremiah 10:17-22, Jeremiah 10:23-25
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
The blistering tirade against idols (10:1–16) is directed against “Israel,” which as an umbrella term includes both Israel and Judah. Here Judah is particularly in view. Judah is warned about the astral deities commonly worshiped in Babylon. Some scholars claim an exilic setting for the poem and many deny its unity and that Jeremiah wrote it. The contrast between homemade idols and the living God has seldom been better drawn. With cutting sarcasm, the Lord describes the process of shaping, stabilizing, and ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
11:1–20:18 Review · Stories about Wrestling with People and with God: The preceding chapters, though grim with dark announcements and heavy accusations, have had a formal cast. Only rarely has the prophet expressed personal anguish. In chapters 11–20, however, Jeremiah as a person is much more at center stage. In these stories Jeremiah wrestles hard to persuade his audience of their serious situation. He engages in sign acts. Here also we observe a man wrestling with God as he deals with frustrations and ...
3519. A Pastoral Letter
Jeremiah 29:1-23, Jeremiah 29:24-32
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Jeremiah’s letter to the Judean captives in Babylon advises them to adjust to the new circumstances and warns about false prophets and manipulators. A brief explanation of the letter is given first (29:1–3). A full title for God opens the letter before Jeremiah exhorts the people to work and pray (24:4–9). God is the ultimate agent of the exile. Jeremiah counsels the people to resume work because the exile will be long and not short, as the false prophets are announcing. His advice is also intended to ...
3520. Restoration of Isarel
Jeremiah 30:1--31:40
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
30:1–33:26 Review · The Book of Comfort:As now arranged, the book so far has had several urgent warnings, some earnest pleas, and many dire announcements of coming disaster. By contrast, chapters 30–33 fulfill that part of Jeremiah’s assignment that called for building and planting (1:10). Now come promises of return from exile, of a secure and stable society in the homeland, and of an intimate relationship once again of people with their God. The “book” proper is in poetry (30–31); the prose expansion (32 ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
The prophet’s purchase of a field becomes a sign. After the fiery destruction of Jerusalem, people will eventually return to the city. Normal commerce will resume. The purchase takes the form of a sign act (32:1–15; cf. 13:1–14; 19:1–13; 27:1–7). The instruction is brief; so is the initial interpretation. Most attention is given to the report of compliance. A man who through poverty or debt was about to forfeit his land was to solicit a next of kin to buy it (Lev. 25:25–28; cf. Ruth 4:7). The business ...
3522. Trouble in Egypt
Jeremiah 41:16--43:13
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
A remnant group goes off to Egypt, contrary to Jeremiah’s advice. There, Jeremiah, who has gone with them, rebukes them for idolatry. Johanan, active in rescuing his countrymen from Ishmael the assassin, has brought them on their way to Egypt as far as Bethlehem. Egypt, Judah’s ally against the Babylonians, is not beset by the instability that plagues the Jews. Unsure of their next move, they seek guidance from the Lord through Jeremiah, as had Zedekiah’s delegation earlier (42:1–6; 37:3). Divine answers ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
The city is Jerusalem. The date is after either 597 BC or 587 BC. In 598, provoked by Jehoiakim (609–598), Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Less than ten years later Zedekiah rebelled against his overlord, Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonian king laid siege to, captured, and burned the city. The acrostic poem depicts the result, notes the enemies’ triumph, and acknowledges that God brought about the disaster because of Judah’s sin. The absence of a comforter is a repeated note ...
3524. Ezekiel’s Call
Ezekiel 2:1-3:15
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
That Ezekiel is told to stand up on his feet indicates that he has control of himself. If a man is unconscious one cannot tell him to get up. Verse 2 supplies the first of many references to the Spirit of God both in the life and prophecy of Ezekiel. This is a theme he shares with Isaiah. By contrast, there is not one reference to the Spirit in conjunction with Jeremiah’s life or ministry, but surely the Spirit of God was as active in and through his life as with his two colleagues. The Spirit addresses ...
3525. Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia
Ezekiel 25:1-7, Ezekiel 25:8-11, Ezekiel 25:12-14, Ezekiel 25:15-17
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
Oracles against the Nations (25:1–32:32): Ezekiel’s message is not confined to Jerusalemites or to ex-Jerusalemites now living in captivity. He turns his attention in this chapter to four bordering nations. Ezekiel first addresses the Ammonites (25:1–7; cf. Jer. 49:1–6), who were descendants of Lot. The main city of their territory was Rabbah (25:5). David annexed them during his reign (2 Sam. 12:26–31). At some subsequent point (post-Solomonic) Ammon regained her independence. Nebuchadnezzar used ...
Showing results