Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2301 to 2325 of 3099 results

2301. The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite

1 Chronicles 8:1-40

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... 14 The genealogy of Shaharaim provided in this section is unparalleled in the Hebrew Bible and also does not bear any relationship with the lineage of Benjamin presented here. Like other genealogies in the Chronicler’s construction, this list provides information on the subject group’s geographical settlement patterns. In this respect the mention of Moab (8:8) and Aijalon (8:13) seems to be important. We know from the book of Ruth that Ruth, an ancestress of King David, came from Moab. Aijalon was one ...

2302. The People in Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 9:1-34

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... phrase in 9:1b (as in the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Targum), as do later references (2 Chron. 27:7; 35:27; 36:8). However, if “and Judah” is taken with this reference, the sentence in 1 Chron. 9:1b would be without an explicit subject. That sentence would then suggest that All-Israel was taken into exile to Babylon—a description that does not fit the Chronicler’s narrative. It seems best to leave open the possibility that the Chronicler might have had another unknown source available, probably ...

2303. David Becomes King over Israel

1 Chronicles 11:1-3

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... David narrative. The location is Hebron, from where David reigned for the first few years of his kingship. Whereas the source text indicates that “the tribes of Israel came to David,” the Chronicler made slight changes to both the verb and subject. He substituted “the tribes of Israel” (clearly associated with the northern part of the kingdom) with all Israel—a clear indication again of the Chronicler’s intention to define an all-inclusive community here. The verb was changed from “came” to ...

2304. The Levites

1 Chronicles 23:1-6

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the following page provides an overview. Since this section utilizes the list genre extensively, there is not much of a narrative line here. Wayyiqtol forms of the verb (customary in Hebrew narratives) are sparsely distributed throughout these chapters. David, being the subject of some of the key verbs, is indicated as being the main figure in the narrative line. He makes Solomon, his son, king over Israel (23:1); he assembles the commanders, priests, and Levites (23:2); and he organizes them into divisions ...

2305. Opposition to the Rebuilding

Ezra 4:1-5

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... picture, quite devoid of historical probability, in lurid hues from the palette of ethnic prejudice. A recent caravan of returning Judeans is said, presumably correctly, to have energized the rebuilding of the walls of the capital (v. 12). The loyal subjects sending the letter deprecate this activity, interpreting it as a threat to the empire, a flexing of muscles for independence. The imperial court is advised to verify the charge that Jerusalem is rebellious and wicked by ascertaining its sinister history ...

2306. The People's Confession of Sin

Ezra 10:1-17

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... were offending members from the four priestly clans mentioned in the oldest provincial list in Nehemiah 7:39–42 (= Ezra 2:36–39), including the high priestly clan, here traced through the well-known Jeshua. Seventeen priests were offenders; in fact, they were subject to a separate, strict law concerning marriage (Lev. 21:7, 13–14, see also Ezek. 44:22). Since numbers of male clan members are attached to the Nehemiah 7/Ezra 2 lists, we can roughly ascertain how comparatively small the proportion of ...

2307. Further Opposition to the Rebuilding

Nehemiah 6:1-14

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... expect a voc. “O my God,” as in v. 14, like “O our God” in 4:4. The objection that this verb does not occur elsewhere in Nehemiah’s prayers is less compelling than the fact that nowhere else in the OT is it used with a divine subject. The alternative is to construe the verb as an inf. absolute, here equivalent to a first-person sg. perf., as the ancient versions took it (see BHS). Then the sense is, “But my morale rose even higher” (NJB). It is difficult to make a clear-cut decision. It is ...

2308. The Agreement of the People

Neh 9:38–10:39

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... to provide firewood. According to 13:31, Nehemiah organized this wood offering. 10:35–39 The sixth and last stipulation comprises a series of three promises to support the temple staff in order to maintain worship. A number of separate laws on the subject were collected and defined as cumulative rather than alternative. The support of temple staff was a recurring problem in early postexilic times, as the earnestness of Malachi 3:8–12 implies. Nehemiah 12:44–47; 13:10–13, 31 will demonstrate the ...

2309. Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 12:27-47

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... were differentiated (7:43–44 = Ezra 2:40–41). The 284 Levites resident in Jerusalem (11:18) evidently did not include enough members of this group. Were sought out . . . and were brought is lit. “they sought out . . . to bring them” (NRSV). The subject is presumably “the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem” (11:1). 12:28–29 For these places, which feature as early settlements of the returning exiles in 7:26–30 (= Ezra 2:21–26), apart from (Beth) Gilgal near Jericho, see Macmillan ...

2310. The King's Edict in Behalf of the Jews

Esther 8:1-17

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... king to overturn a law by making another one that no one can change. Skillfully, she avoids using the term law (dat), preferring “letters” (NIV “dispatches”) “devised” by Haman. She shifts the focus from their objective permanence to their subjective illegitimacy. Esther concludes with a passionate statement of identification with the Jewish people, signaling her solidarity with them in parallelism: “For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction ...

2311. The Greatness of Mordecai

Esther 10:1-3

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... to receive. The story began with an image of a vast, wealthy, well-controlled empire that was threatened openly by a queen’s insubordination. It was then undermined more subtly by a prime minister, whose personal animosity toward one of the king’s loyal subjects led to (costly?) civil war. As the story draws to a close, the empire is now at peace, the treasuries of the king are being replenished, and the king’s acts (accomplishments) of power and might are celebrated in writing (v. 2). One is reminded ...

2312. Warning Against the Adulteress

Proverbs 7:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... she could be a foreigner. The “stranger” is a kind of catchword that is loosely used, but there is no doubt about the death to which she invites the youth (2:18–19; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18). Additional Notes 7:6–7 The Gk. has as the subject of looking and seeing the “strange woman”—parakuptousa: she is peeking out the window. This theme of “the woman in the window” gave rise to theories about a fertility goddess. But the Gk. is simply mistaken, as v. 10 indicates. 7:22 Verse 22b is rightly said to ...

2313. The Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 10:1-32

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... :29 Antithetic. The NIV (and the NRSV) replaces righteousness with righteous. But the way of the LORD conceived as a refuge/ruin is a strange expression. Without changing the consonantal text, others (the NAB and commentators) prefer to read yhwh (the Lord) as subject. Therefore the Lord is the stronghold for the virtuous (lit. “to the upright of way”) and destruction for evildoers. See Additional Notes. 10:30 Antithetic. See Psalm 37:9–11 for inhabiting the land. Although dwelling in the land is also ...

2314. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 14:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... his servants. Additional Notes 14:1 Lit., the first two Hb. words can be translated “wisdom of women” or “the wise(st?) among women.” Many scholars bring this in line with 9:1 by omitting “women” (Hb. nāšîm) and making “wisdom” (Hb. ḥkmwt) the subject of the singular verb: “wisdom has built . . .” 14:3 The preferred reading is Hb. gēwōh (= back); cf. 10:13. 14:9 The LXX has “the houses of the godless will need purification, but the houses of the just are acceptable.” 14:13 The ...

2315. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 19:1-29

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... here. 19:22 Among other difficulties, the words are ambiguous. The Hb. taʾ a wat can mean “greed” (see NJPS); ḥesed can (rarely) mean “shame.” It is also possible, but doubtful, to read: “desirable in a person (is . . .).” 19:23 One problem is that the subject (or antecedent) of the Hb. verb yālîn (“lodge”) is nowhere expressed. The NIV supplies then one in order to get a smooth translation. 19:27 The appearance of my son in this group of sayings (10:1–22:16) is unique. Lit., the MT ...

2316. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 20:1-30

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... or plans come forth to clarity. 20:6 Antithetic. The meaning of the NIV is clear enough. It brings out the contrast between a proclamation of love (that can be purely verbal) and true fidelity that is not easy to find. Verse 6a is ambiguous, subject to various translations. See the Additional Notes. 20:7 Synthetic. The good effects of the integrity of the parent are to be seen in the virtue (and presumably prosperity) of the children. The association between parent and children is expressed also in 13:22 ...

2317. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 28:1-28

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... Hebrew is not the usual word for “fear” of God, it probably carries the same connotation. The verse is, as it were, a commentary on verse 14b, the hardened sinner. 28:15 An implicit comparison by means of juxtaposition. A tyrant’s affliction of poor subjects is compared to the instinctive roar and speed of wild beasts (cf. 29:2b). 28:16 Antithetic. The text is uncertain; see Additional Notes. The NIV understands verse 16a as a kind of continuation of verse 15. On verse 16b see 10:2. 28:17 Synthetic ...

2318. Sayings of King Lemuel

Proverbs 31:1-9

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... (and over-indulging?) the harem. This is also an action that may have involved plots and intrigue. The NIV interprets the problematical text of verse 3b in parallelism with verse 3a, but several changes have been proposed (see Additional Notes). 31:4–7 The subject is the use of alcohol. Kings and rulers are warned not to abuse it, lest they neglect the law and thus deny the rights of the oppressed (cf. Hos. 4:11). See the Additional Notes. The words of the queen mother continue with a different ...

2319. A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... enabled to accept grief as part of a larger picture (when using this as a funeral reading), or to strive to work toward the time for peace (as in the Pete Seeger song “Turn, Turn, Turn”). Following the poem is a prose reflection on the same subject (3:9–15). It is more characteristic of Qohelet’s voice, both in the ruthlessness with which it insists on human limitations and in its affirmation of finding pleasure in one’s food, drink, and work. The reassurance that the reader may have found in the ...

2320. Riches Are Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 5:8--6:12

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... . At the same time, it is important to recognize that the Hb. word for evil (ra?) is used of any negative and need not have moral connotations. 6:3 Does not receive a proper burial: The clause may be understood with either the man or the stillborn as subject. Most interpreters judge the stillborn more likely; thus, “Although it does not receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.” The image of the stillborn child links with the one who has not yet been of 4:3. 6:6 Do ...

2321. Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... plead for moderation in all things. It is more likely that the God-fearer will survive any situation. 7:24 Whatever wisdom may be: NIV inserts “wisdom”; Hb. has simply “That which is.” “Wisdom” is unlikely even as an implied subject: “that which is” is grammatically masculine (taking a masculine verb and adjectives), while wisdom in 7:23 is grammatically feminine (taking a feminine pronoun and adjective). Qohelet is unable to achieve wisdom because all of existence (including but not limited ...

2322. Bread Upon the Water

Ecclesiastes 9:13--12:8

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... dust returns to the ground and the spirit to God (perhaps in contrast to 3:21). The whole poem is one long sentence. The NIV obscures this by beginning new sentences in verses 5 and 6. If read as one sentence, the reader, along with the human subject of the passage, will be “out of breath” by the end. 12:8 The closing motto of the book matches 1:2. The use of an inclusion formula suggests completeness, and indeed Qohelet stops speaking here. The epilogue refers to Qohelet in the third person but does ...

2323. Let Him Kiss Me

Song of Songs 1:1-17

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... determined meaning. The urgency of the voices, together with the lack of clarity about their identity, encourages the reader to try to make sense of what is on the page. This combination of attraction and confusion is entirely appropriate to the subject matter. The swirl and rush of image and description, together with the alternation of presence and desire, aptly express the riotous flow of emotions in the young lovers. Something new, powerful, and disconcerting is happening to the characters in the Song ...

2324. Not One is Upright

Jeremiah 5:1-31

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... no authority in and of themselves. However, Jeremiah tells us that these priests rule by their own authority. They are guilty because prophets and priests were responsible to lead the people to God. However, the people themselves are not guiltless. They are not unwilling subjects; rather they love it this way. Jeremiah leaves them with a question at the end of this oracle: But what will you do in the end? How will they respond? This may inject a note of conditionality into the oracle. Or it may be asking ...

2325. The Covenant is Broken

Jeremiah 11:1-17

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... This image fits into a broader metaphor of refining applied to other referents (Prov. 17:3; Isa. 24:1). In reference to Israel in Egypt the metaphor first of all would point to the unpleasantness of the experience. However, though unpleasant, even horrific, iron is subjected to smelting specifically to make it malleable in order to transform it into something useful. 11:4 The phrase you will be my people, and I will be your God and near variants speaks to the heart of the covenant relationship. One or both ...

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