Chapter L
ing out as a plate of metal : a name given to the atmosphere from its appearing to an observer to be the vaxM of heaven, supporting the weight of the watei-y clouds. By the creation of an atmosphere, the lighter parts of the waters which overspread the earth's surface were drawn up and suspended in the visible heavens, while the larger and heavier mass remained below. The air was thus " in the midst of the waters," i.e., separated them; and this being the apparent use of it, is tlie only one mentioned, although the atmosphere serves other uses, as a medium of life and light.
Ver. 1, 2. The Ckeation of Heaveu and Earth. 1. In tlie beginning—a period ol remote and unknown antiquity, Iiid In the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used In Proverbs 8. 22, 23, also Marginal Reference. God—the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in He-
bretL\ " Strong," " Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power ; and by its use here in the plural form , is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, viz., that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Spirit, who were engaged in the creative work (Proverbs 8. 27; John 1.3, 10; Ephesians 3. 9; Hebrews 1. 2; Job 26. 13). created—not formed from any pre-existing ma-
9-13. Third Day. 9. let tlie waters under the heaven be gathered together into one place—The world was to be rendered a terraqueous globe, and this was effected by a volcanic convulsion on its surface, the upheaving of some parts, the sinking of others, and the formation of vast hollows, into which the waters impetuously rushed, as is graphically described. (Psalm 1(M. 6-9.) [Hitchcock.] Thu^a large part of the earth was left "dry land," and thus were formed oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers which, though each having their own beds, or channels, ai-e all connected with the seaVjob 38. 10; Ecclesiastes 1.7). 11. let the earth bring forth—The bare soil was clothed with verdure, and it is noticeable that the trees, plants, and grasses-^he three great divisions of the vegetable kingdom, here mentioned, were not called into existence in the same way as the light and the air; tliey were made to grow, and they grew as they do still out of the ground-J not, however, by the slow process of vegetation, but through the Divine power, without rain, dew, or any process of labour—sprouting up and flourishing in a single day.
terials, but made outxif nothing, tlic heaven and the earth—the universe, ferhis first verse is a general introduction to the inspired volume, declaring the great and Important truth, that all things had a beginning; tliat nothing throughout the wide extent of nature existed from eternity, originated by chance, or from the skill of any in-
ferior agent ; but that the whole universe was produced by the creative power of God (Acts 17. 24; Romans 11. 36)_ After this preface, the narrative is confined to the earth./ 8. the earth was without form and void—or in "confusion and emptiness" as the words are rendered in Isaiah H. 11. This globe, at some undescribed period, having been convulsed and broken up, was a dark and watery waste
for ages perhaps, till out of this chaotic state, the present fabric of the world was made to arise, the Spirit of God moved lit.., continued brooding over it, as a fowl does, when hatching eggs. The immediate agency of the Spirit, by working on the dead and discordant elements, combined, arranged, and ripened them into a state adapted for being the scene of a new creation. The account of this new creation properly begins at the end of this second verse ; and the details of the process are described in the natural way an onlooker would have done, wlio beheld the changes that successively took place. ^
14-19. Fourth Day. 14. let there be llght« in tho' Armament—The atmosphere being completely purified the Bun, moon, and stars were for tlte first time unveiledi in all their glory in the cloudless sky; and they are described as "in the firmament" which to the eye they appear to be, though we know they are really at vast distances from it. 16. two great lights—In consequence of the day being reckoned as commencing at even—tJie moouj which would be seen first in the horizon, would, appear "a great light," compared with the little twinkling star*;, while its pale benign radiance would be eclipsed by the dazzling splendour of the sun; when his resplendent oi-b rose In the morning and gradually attained its meridian blaze of glory, it would appear "the greater light" that ruled the day.« Both these lights may be said to be " made"
8-5. The First Day. 3. God sald-yThls phrase, which occurs so repeatedly in the account means—willed, decreed, appointed; and the determining will of God was followed in every Instance by an immediate I'esult.^ Whether the sun was created at the same time with, or long before, the earth, the dense accumulation of fogs and vapours which enveloped the chaos, had covered the globe with a settled gloom. But by the command of God, light was rendered visible; the thick murky clouds were dispersed, broken, or rarefied, and light diffused over the expanse of waters. The effect Is described In the name Day, which In Hebrew signifies warmth, heat; while the name Night signifies a rolling up, as night wraps all things in a shady mantle, (i. divided tlie ligltt from darlcnew—refers to the alteVnation or succession of the one to the other, produced by the dally revolution of the earth round tisazis.) 5. flrst day—a natural day, as the mention of Its two parta clearly determines; and Moses reckons, according to Oriental usage, from sunset to sun-
on the fourth day—not created, Indeed, for it is a different word that is here used, but constituted, appointed to the Important and necessary office of serving as luminaries
to the world, and regulating by their motions and their Influence the progress and divisions of time.\
20-23. Fifth Day. 'ine sighs of animal Mfe appeared in the waters and In tnealr. 20. moving creature—all' oviparous animals, both among the finny and the feathery
tribes—remarkable for their rapid and prodigious increase, ''fowl—means every flying thing: "irhe word 4 rendered whales," Includes also sharks, crocodiles, Ac.j^.so that from the countless shoals of small fisli to the great sea monsters, from the tiny Insect to the king of birds, the waters and the air were made suddenly to swarm with
•et, saying not day and night as we do, but evening and morning.
ft-8. Second Day. tf. flrmaraent—an expanse—a beat2
O-eatum of Man. GENESIS II. The 3IuI;i!:g of Woman.
creatures formed to live iind sport in their respective eleineuta.
employed in nis service requires, and .the neglect of which brings both to premature decay. Moreover, it secures an appointed season for religious worsliip, and if
'2t-31. Sixth Day. A fartlier advance was made byJ-he creation of terrestrial animals, all the various species of which are included in tlnee classes viz., cattle, the herbivorous kind capable of labour or domestication. 34. beasts of the earth— i. e., wild animals, wliose ravenous natures were then kept in check, and all the various forms of creeping t2>lng8—from the huge reptiles to the insignificant caterpillars. 3G. The last .stage in the progress of creation being now reached—God said, Let us make maji+-words which show the pe<-uliar importance of the work\o be done, the formation of a creature, who was to be God s representative, clothed with authority and rule as visible head and monarch of the world. In oiir image, after our likeness—This was a peculiar distinction—the value attached to which appears in the words being twice mentioned. And in what did this Image of God consist ? —not in the erect form or features of man, not in his intellect; for the devil and his angels are, in this respect, far superior—not in his immortality; for he has not, like God, a past as well as a future eternity of being; but in the moral dispositions of his soul, commonly called original righteousness (Ecclesiastes 7. 20)!^ As the new creation is only a restoration of this image, the history of tlie one throws liglit on the other; and we are informed that it is renewed after the image of God in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness (Colossians .3. 10; Ephesians 4. 24). 28. Be fruitful, &c.—Tlie human race in every country and age liave been the offspring of the first pair. Amid
It was necessary in a stale of primeval innwence, liow much more so now, when mankind have a strong tendency to forget God and His claims? 14:. Ttae«e are tli« generations of the heavens and the vai-th—the history or account of tlieir production. Whence did Moses obtain this account so ditl'erent from the puerile and absurd fictions of the heathen? not from any human source; tor man was not in existence to witness it—not from tlie light of nature or reason ; for though they pro<;laiin the eternal power and Godhead by the things which are made, they cannot tell how they were made. None but the Creator himself could give this Information, and therefore it is tlirough faith we uuderetand that the worlds were framed by the word of God (Hebrews 11. 3). ra5n, mist—See on ch. 1. 12. 7. Here the sacred writer supplies a few nnore particulars about the first pair. formed+-had formed MAN out of the DUST OF THE GROUND. Science has proved that the substance of his flesh, sinews, and bont»s, consists of the very same elements as the soil which forms the crust of the earth, and the limestone that lies embedded in it« bowels. ^But from that mean material what an admirable stiiicture has been reared in the human body (Psalm 139. 14). (breath of life—7 (7., of lives—not only animal but spiritual life. If the body is so admirable, how much more the soul with all its varied faculties.^ Ibreathed into his nostrils the breath of life—not that
The Creator literally performed this act, but respiration being the medium and sign of life, this phrase Is used to show that man's life originated in a ditl'erent way from his body—being implanted directly by God (Ecclesiastes
all the varieties found amongst men, some black, as negroes, others copper-coloured, as well as white, the researches of modern science lead to a conclusion, fully accordant with the sacred history, that they are all of one species and of one family (Acts 17. 26). Wliat power in tlie word of God! "He spake and it was done. He commanded and all things stood fast." " Great and manifold are tliy works. Lord God Almighty !—in wisdom hast thou made t)iem all." We admire that wisdom—not only in Mie regular progress of creation, but in its perfect adaptation to the end. God is represented as pausing at every slage to look at His work. No wonder He contemplated
12.7), and hence in the new creation of the soui Christ breathed on His disciples (.lohn 20. 22m
8-17. The Garden op Eden. 8. Eden—was probably a very extensive region in Mesopotamia, It Is thought, distinguished for its natural beauty and the richness and variety of its produce. Hence its name signifying plms-
avtnexs. God planted a garden eastwai-d—an extensive park—a paradise, in which the man was put to be trained under the paternal care of his Maker to piety and useful-
it with complacency. Every object was in its riglit place, every vegetable process going on in season, every animal in its structure and instincts suited to its mode of life, and its use in the economy of the world. He saw everything tliat He had made answering the plan which His eternal wisdom had conceived; and, 31. "Beiioi.d it ^yA3
ness. ttree of life—so called from its symbolic character as a srgn and seal of immortal life, jlts prominent position "in the midst of the garden," where it must havo been an object of daily observation and interest, was admirably fitted to keep them habitually in mind of God and futurity.(9. tree of tlie knowledge of good anil evil—so called because it was a text of obedience by which our flnst parents were to V>e tried, whether they would be good or bad, obey God or break His cominiinds.^lT. tlion Shalt not eat of it . . . thou ghalt surely die—no reason assigned for the prohlblthm, but death was to bo the punishment of disobedience. A positive command
VERY GOOD."
CJIAPTER II.
Ver. 1. The Narrative of the Six Pays' Cre.^tion CONTINUED. The course of the narrative being improperly broken by the division of the chapter. 1. llie lieavens —the firmament or atmosphere, host—a multitude, a nuirjerous array—usually connected In .Scripture with lie.aven only, but here with the earth also, meaning all that they contain, were ftnislied—brought to completion —no permanent change has ever since been made on the course of the world, no new species of animals been formed, no law of nature repealed or added to. They could liave been finished in a moment as well as In six days, but the work of creation was gradual for the inBtruction of man, as well, perhaps, as of higher creatures (Job 38. 7).
like this was not only the simplest and easiest, but the only trial to which their fidelity could be exposed, l.^. \n\t the man into the garflen of Eden to dress 11—not only
to give him a pleasant employment, but to place him on
his probation, and as the title of tiiis garden, the garden
of the Lord (ch. 13. 10; Ezokiel 28. 13), indicates— it was in
fact a temple In which he wonshlpped God, and was dally employed in offering the sacrifices of thanksgiving and
praise.
l.s-25. The Making of AVoman, and Institution of Marriage. 18. It is not good for man to 1»e alone—.'n the midst of plenty and delights, he was conscious of feelings he could not gratify. To make him sensible of his wants, 19. God brought unto Adam— not all the animals In existence, hut those chiefly in his immediate nelghbourhorHl, and to be .subservient to his use. ^ »vhatsoever Adam railed every living erenture, that wnn the name thereof—His powers of percejitlon and intel-
((2-7. The First Sabbath. 2. and he rested on the Mventli day—not to repose from exhaustion with labour
(see Isaiah 10, 2S), but ceased from working, an examiile equivalent to a command, that we also should cease from labour of every kind. 3. l>leMHed and Manetifled the seventh day—a peculiar distinction put upon It above the other six days, and showing It was devoted to sacred purposes. The Institution of the Sabbath is h» old as creation, giving rise to that weekly division
ligence were supernatnrally enlarged to know the charao*
ters, habits, and uses of each species that was brought to him.) !J0. but for Adam there was not found an lielp meet for hlm-|-Tlie design of this singular scene was to show him that none of the living creatures he saw wern on an equal footing with himself,) and that whllo each
iif time which prevailed in the earlitwt ages. It Is a wise ami txMieflcent law, allbrdlng that regular interval of real wlucli the physical nature of man and tlie animals
17i« Temptation, GENESIS III The FaU.
class came with its mate of the same nature, form, and habits, he alone had no companion. Besides, In giving names to them he was led to exercise his powers of speech, and prepare for social Intercourse with his partner, a creature j'et to be formed, ai. deep sleep—probably an ecstacy or trance like that of the prophets, when they had visions and revelations of the Loru, for the whole scene was probably visible to the mental eye of Adam, and hence his rapturous exclamation, took one of Ills ribs f'She was not made out of his head to surpass him, nor •om his feet to be trampled on, but from hi.s side to be equal to him, and near his heart to be dear to him.") 33. Woman i. e., in Hebrew—man-Ess. one flesh—the human pair differed ft-om all other pairs, that hy the peculiar formation of Eve, they were one. And this passage is appealed to by our Lord as the divinainstitution of marriage (JIatlhew 19. 4, o; Ephesixins 5. 28)/^ Thus Adam appears Ets a creature formed after the image of God—showing his knowledge by giving names to the animals, his righteousness by his approval of the marriage relation, and his holiness by his principles and feelings—finding their gratification in the service and enjoyment of God.
perfect impunity; but to promise great benefit;! from par. taking of it. 5. your eyes shall be opencdi-his words meant more than met the ear. In one «ense their eyes were opened; for they acquired a direful experience of "good and evil"—of the happiness of a holy, and the misery of a sinful condition.) But he studiously concealed this result from Eve,who, fired with a generous desire for knowledge, thought only of rising to the rank and privileges of her angelic visitants.
6-9. The Fall. 6. And \vhen tlie woman saw that the (free was good for food—Her imagination and feelings were completely won; and the fall of Eve was soon followed by that of Adam. The history of every temptation, and of every sin, is the. same; tlie outward object of attraction—the inward commotion of mind—the increase and triumph of passionate desire; ending in the degradation, slavery, and ruin of the soul (James 1. 15;
1 John 2. 16). 8. they heard the voice of the I^ord God walking In the gardijn—The divine Being appeared in the same manner as formerly—uttering the well-known tones of kindness, walking in some visible form—not running hastily, as one impelled by the influence of angry feelings. How beautifully expressive are these words of the familiar and condescending manner in which He had hitherto held intercourse with the first pair. In the cool of the day lit., the breeze of the day—the evening, liid themselves amongst the trees—Shame, remorse, fear— sense of guiltfeolings to which they had hitherto been strangers, disordered their minds, and led them to shun Him whose approach they used to welcome. How foolish to think of eluding His notice (Psalm 139. 1-12).
^ CHAPTER III.
Ver. 1-5. The Temptation.' 1. the serpent—The fall of man was effected by the seductions of a serpent.] That it was a real serpent is evident from the plain anu artless style of the history; and from the many allusions made to it in the New Testament. But the material serpent was the instrument or tool of a higher agent,—Satan or the Devil,—to whom the sacred writers apply from this incident the reproachful name of "the Serpent"—"the old Dragon." Though Mosesmakesno mention of thiswicked
10-13. The Examination. 10. afraid, because . . . naked—apparently, a confession—the language of sorrow
but it was evasive—no signs of true humility and penitence—each tries to throw the blame on another. VZ. The woman . . . gave me—He' blames God. [Calvin.] As the woman had been given him for his companion and help, he had eaten of the tree from love to her; qnd perceiving she was ruined, was determined not tosurvive her. [M'Knight.] 13. begwlled-^ajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated— it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonour to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the bestof Masters—a preference of the creature to the Creator.
spirit—giving only the historyof the visiljle world—yet in the fuller discoveries of the Gospel, it is distinctly intimated that Satan was the author of the plot (John 8.44;
I Corinthians 11.3; 1 John 3. 8; 1 Timothy 2. 14; Revelations 20. 2). more snhtile—Serpents are proverbial for wisdom (Matthew 10. 16). But these reptiles were at first, probably, far superior in beauty as well as in sagacity to what they are in their present state. He said—There being in the pure bosoms of the first pair, no principle of evil to work upon, a soli<ritation to sin could come only from without, as in the analogous case of Jesus Christ (Matthew 4. 3) ; and as the tempter could not assume the human form—there being only Adam and Eve in the world—the agency of an inferior ci'eature had to be employed. The Dragon-serpent [Rochart] seemed the fittest for the vile purpose; and the Devil was allowed b5' Him who permitted the trial, to bring articulate sounds from its mouth, nnto the woman—the object of attack, from his knowledge of her frailty, of her having been hut a short time in the world—her limited experience of the animal tribes, and, above all, her being alone, unfortified by the presence and counsels of her husband. Though sinless and holy, she was a free agent, liable to be tempted and seduced, yea, hath God sold—Is It true that he has restricted you In using the fruits of this delightful place? This is not like one so good and kind. Surely there is some mistake. He insinuated a doubt as to her sense of the divine will, and appeared as "an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11.
14-24. The Sentence. 14. And tlie Lord CtoA said unto the serpent—The Judge pronounces a doom first— on the ma'terial serpent, which is cursed above all creatures; from being a model of grace and elegance in form-
it has become the type of all that is odious, disgusting, and low [Leclerc, Rosenmuller]; or the curse has converted its natural condition into a punishment; it i. . now branded with infamy, and avoided with horror; next, on the spiritual Serpent—the seducer. Already fallen, he was to be still more degraded, and his power wholly destroyed, by the offspring of those he had deceived. 15. thy seednot only evil spirits, but wicked men. seed of the woman—the Messiah, or His Church. [Calvin, Hen»- STENBERO.] I will put enmity between thee and the woman—God can only be said to do so by leaving "the Serpent and his seed to the influence of tlieir own corruption; and by those measures wliich, pursued for the salvation of men, fill Satan and his angels with envy and rage." thou shalt bruise his heel—The serpent wounds the heel that crushes him; and so Satan would be permltt/Cd to afflict the humanity of C^u•isl, and bring suffering and persecution on His people. It shall bi-uise thy head—the serpent's poison is lodged in its head ; and a bruise on that part is fatal. Tlius, fatal shall be the stroke wliich .Satan shall receive from Christ ;- though, it is )in>bable, he did not first understand the nature and extent of his doom. IG. nnto the woman he said, 1 will greatly multiply thy sorrow—She was doomed as a wife and mother, to suffer pain of body and distress of mind. From being the helpmeet of man and the partner of liis aJI'ections, her condition would henceforth be that of humnle subjection. 17-19. nnto Adam he said—made to gain his liveliliood l)y tilling theground; but v.iiat be fore his fall he did with ease and pleasure, was hot to U
14), offering to lea<l her to the true interpretation. It was evidently from ner regarding him as specially sent on that errand—that, instead of being startled l)y the reptile's speaking—she received him as a heavenly messenger. 8. the woman said, We may eat of" the fViilt of the trees of the garden—In her answer. Eve extolled the large extent of liljerty they enjoyed in ranging at will amongst all the trees—one only excepted—with respect to which, she declared there was no doubt, either of tlie prohibition or the penalty. But there is reason to think that she had already received an Injurious impression; for in nsing the words—" lest ye die," Instead of "ye shall surely die"—she spoke as if the tree had been forbidden from some poisonous quality of its fruit. The tempter, perceiving this, became bolder In his a»sertions. 4. Ye shall nut aurelydte—he proceeded—not only to a-ssure her of
GENESIS IV, V.
Birlli of Cain and Abd.
The Murder of Ahcl,
shown in its being consumed by fire (see ch. 15. 17; Judges
accomplished after it without painful and persevering exertion, till thou return unto tlie ground—man l:)ecame mortal; although he did not die the moment he ate the forbidden ft-uit—his body underwent a change, and that would lead to dissolution—the union subsisting between his soul and God having already been dissolved, he had become liable to all the miseries of this life, and to the pains of hell for ever. What a mournful chapter this
13. 20). 7. If thou doest well, shalt tltou not be accepted!—In the Margin it is, ".Shalt thou pot hn'^e the excellency?" which is the true sense of the words referring to the high privileges and authority belonging to the first-born in patriarchal times, sin lietit at the door-
sin, f. e., a sin-offering—a common meaning of the word in Scripture—as in Hosea 4. 8; 2 Corinthians 5. 21; Hebrews 9. 28. The purport of the Divine rebuke to Cain was this, "Why art thou angry, as if unjustly treated? If thou doest well, i. e., wert innocent and sinless—a thankoflering would have been accepted as a token of thy dependence as a creature. Bvit as thou doest not well, i. e., art a sinner—a sin-offering is necessary, by bringing which thou wouldest have met with acceptance, and retained the honours of thy birth-right." This language implies that previous instructions had been given as to the mode of worship; Abel offered through faith (Hebrews
is in the history of man '.j^Jt gives the only true account of the origin of all the physical and moral evils tliat are In the world—upholds the moral character of God; s*ows that man, made upright, fell from not being able to resist a slight temptation ; and becoming guilty and miserable, plunged all his posterity into the same abyss (Komans 5.
12). How astonishing the grace which at that moment gave promise of a Saviour; and conferred on her who had the disgrace of introducing sin—the future honour of introducing that Deliverer (1 Timothy 2. 15). 20. Adam called Iiis wife's name Eve—probably in reference to her being a mother of the promised Saviour, as well as of all mankind. 31. God made coats of skins—taught them to make these for themselves. This implies the institution of animal sacrifice, which was undoubtedly of Divine appointment, and instruction in the only acceptable mode of worship for sinful creatures, through faith in a Redeemer (Hebrews 9. 22). H-i. And God said, Beliold, the man is become as one of us—not spoken in irony as
11. 4). nnto thee slkall be his desire—The high distinction conferred by priority of birth is described, ch. 27. 29 ; and
it was Cain's conviction, that this honour had been withdrawn from him by the rejection of his sacrifice, and conferred on his younger brother—hence the secret flame of jealousy, which kindled into a settled hatred, and fell revenge. 8. And Cain talked -^vith Abel liis brother Under the guise of brotherly familiarity, he concealed his premeditated purpose till a convenient time and place occurred for the murder (1 John 3. 12; 9. 10). 10. the voice of tliy brother's blood crieth unto me—Cain, to lulJ suspicion, had probably been engaging in the solemnities of religion where he was challenged directly from the Shechinah itself. 9. I know not—a falsehood. One sin leads to another. 11, 13. now art tliou cursed fi'oiii tite eartl»—A curse superadded to the general one denounced on the gi ound for Adam's sin. a fugitive—condemned to perpetual exile—a degraded outcast—the miserable victim of an accusing conscience. 13, 14-. And Cain said . . . My punishment Is greater than I can bear—What au overwhelming sense of misery; but no sign of penitence, nor cry for pardon, every one that flndeth mc shall slay mc—This shows that the population of the world was now considerably increased. 15. whosoever slayetli Cain—By a special act of Divine forbearance, the life of Cain was to be spared in the then small state of the human race, set a mark—not anj' visible mark or liran<l on his forehead, but some mgn or token of assurance that his life would be preserved. This sign is thought by the best writers to have been a wild ferocity of aspect, that rendered him an object cf universal horror and avoidance. 16. presence of tlie Lord—the appointed place of worship at Eden. Leaving it, he not only severed himself from his relatives, but forsook the ordinances of religion, probably casting off all fear of God from his eyes, so that the last end of this man Is worse than the first (Matthew
is generally supposed, but in deep compassion. The words should be renderecj, "Behold, what has become (by sin) of the man who was as one of us! formed at first, in our image to know good and evil—how sad his condition now. and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take of the tree of life—This tree being a pledge of that immortal
life with which obedience should be rewarded, he lost, on his fall, all claim to this tree; and therefore, that he might not eat of it, or delude himself with the idea, that eating of it would restore what he had forfeited, the Lord sent him forth from the garden. 34. placed . . . clierublm The passage should be rendered thus:—"And he dwelt between the cherubim at the East of the Garden of Eden, and a fierce fire or Shechinah unfolding itself to preserve
tlie way of tlie tree of life." This was the mode of worship now established to show God's anger at sin, and teach the mediation of a promised Saviovir, as the way of life, as well as bf access to God. They were the same figures as were afterwards in the tabernacle and temple; and now, as then, God said, "I will commune with thee from between the cherubim" (Exodus 25. 22).
CHAPTEE IV.
Ver. 1-26. Birth of Cain and Abet.. 1. Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord i.e., "by the help
of the Lord"—an expression of pious gr.atitude—and she called him Cain, i. e., "a possession," as If valued al)ove every thing else;. while the arrival of another son reminding her of the misery she had entailed on her offspring, led to the name Abel, i. e., eitlier wealvuess, vanity (Psalm 39. 5), or grief, lamentation. Cain and Abel were probably t ivins; and It is thought tliat, at this early
12. 45). land of Nod—of flight or exile—thought by many to have been Arabia Petrtea—which was cursed to sterility on his account. 17-33. builded a ci(y—It has been In
cities that the human race has ever made the greatest social progress; and several of Cain's descendants distinguished themselves by their inventive genius in the arts. 19. Lamecli took unto him two wives—This is the first transgression of the law of marriage on record, and the practice of polygamy, like all other breaches of God's Institutions, has been a fruitful source of corruption and misery. 33, 34. Iiamech said unto his wives—This speech Is In a poetical form, probably the fi'agment of an old poem, transmitted to the time of Mo.ses. It seems to indicate that Ijamech had slain a man In self-defence, and
jieriod, children were born in pairs (ch. .'5. 4). [Cat.vin.] Abel was a keep«^r of slice]) lit., " feeder of a (lock," which, in Oriental countries, always luf^ludes godts ivs well as sliecp. Aoel, though the younger, Is mentioned
first, prol)al)ly on .acc^ount of the pre-eminence of his re-
ligious cliaracter. 3. in process of lime Ilcbrew, "at the end of days;" prot)ably on the Sabliath. brought . . . an offering u nto the I^iord—Botli manifested by the very act of offering their faith In the being of Ood, and In his claims to their reverence and worship; and had the Iiind of otlering been left to themselves, wliat more natural than tliat the one should bring "of the fruits of the ground;" that the other should bring "of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof." 4. the I^ord had respect unto AI>el, not unto Cain, &c.—The words, " had respect
its dri't Is to assure his wives, by the preservation of (^aln, that an unintentional, homlcUU^, as lie only was, could be in no danger. 30. men liegan to call upon thenam« of ihc Lowl-rather, by the name of the Ijord. God's people, a name probably applied to them In contempt by the world,
to," signify In Ilrhreiv—to look at any thing with a keen earnest glance; which has been translated—" kindle Into a Are," so that tlie Divine approval of Abel's offering was
Ver. 1-.32. Gknkalooy op thk PATiiiAncils. 1. booh of tlic generation*—See ch. 11. i. Adam—used here e>lti«I
W^ickedness of the World. GENESIS VI, VII. Noali builds an Ark
a« tne name of the first man, or of the human race gener-
repented . . . grieved—God cannot change (Malao'.ii i-
ally. 5. all tlie days ;. . . Adam lived—The most striking feature in this catalogue Is the longevity of Adam and his Immediate descendants. Ten are enumeratetl in direct succession whose lives far exceed the ordinary limits with which we are familiar—the shortest being 305, and the longest 930. It Is useless to inquire whether and what secondary causes may have coutriliuted to tills protracted longevity—vigorous constitutions, the nature of their dio't, the temperature and salubrity of the climate; or, finally, as this list comprises only the true worshippers of God— whether their great age might be owing to the better government of their passions, and the quiet even tenor
; James 1.17); but, by language suited to our nnlure <ntd experience. He Is described as about to alter His visil;i(s procedure towards mankind—from being merciful r.n;l long-suflering. He was about to show Himself a God ui judgment; and, as that impious race had filled up tlie measure of their iniquities. He was about to introduce a terrible display of His justice (Ecclesiastes 8. 11). 8. But Noah found grace In the eyes of the Lord—lax'our. What an awful state of things when only one man or (jne family of piety and virtue was now existing among the professed sons of God! 9. Noah . . . Just . . . and perfect—not absolutely ; for since the fall of Adam no man has been free from sin except Jesus Christ. But as living by faith he was just (Galatians 3. 2; Hebrews 11. 7) and perfect—i.e., sincere in his desire to do God's will. 11. the earth Avas filled witli violence—In the absence of any well-regulated government it is easy to imagine what evils would arise. Men did what was right In their own eyes, and, having no fear of God, destruction and misery were in their waj'S. 13. And God said unto Noali— How startling must have been the announcement of the threatened destruction! There was no outward indication of It. The course of nature and experience seemed against the probability of its occurrence. The public opinion of mankind would ridicule it. The whole world would be ranged against him. Yet, persuaded the communication was from God, through faith (Hebrews 11. 7 , he set about preparing the means for preserving liinist-lf and family from the impending calamity. 1*. Blake thee an ark—ark, a hollow chest (Exodus 2. .3). gopher wood —probably cypress, remarkable for its durability, and abounding on the Armenian mountains, rooms—cabins or small cells, pitcli it within and without—mineral pitch, asphalt, naphtha, or some bituminous substance, which, when smeared over and become hardened, would make it perfectly water-tight. 15. And this is the fasliion—According to the description, the ark was not a ship, but an Immense house in form and structure lil^e tlie houses in the East, designed not to sail, but only float. Assuming the cubit to be inc's, the ark would be
of their lives. Since we cannot obtain satisfactory evidence on these points, It is wise to resolve the fact Into the sovereign will of God. We can, however, trace some
of the important uses to which, in the early economy of Providence, it was subservient. It was the chief means
of reserving a knowledge of God, of the great truths of
religion, as well as the Influence of genuine piety. So that, as their knowledge was obtained by tradition, they would be In a condition to preserve it in the greatest purity. 24:. And Enoch walked witli God—A common phrase In Eastern countries denoting constant and familiar intercourse, was not; for God took liim—In Hebrews U. 5, we are Informed that he was translated to heaven—a mighty miracle, designed to eft'ect what ordinary means of instruction had failed to accomplish—gave a palpable proof to an age of almost universal unbelief that the doctrines which he had taught (Jude H. 15) were
true, and that his devotedness to the cause of God, and righteousness In the midst of opposition, was highly pleasing to the mind of God. 21. Enoch . . . begat Methuselah—This name signifies, "He dieth, and the sending forth," so that Enoch gave It as prophetical of the
flood. It is computed that Methuselah died in the year
of that catjistrophe. 26. Lantech—a difl'erent person from the one mentioned in preceding chapter. Like his namesake, however, he also spoke In numbers on occasion of the birth of Noah—j. c, "rest" or "comfort." "The allusion is, undoubtedly, to the penal consequences of the fall In earthly tolls and sufTerlngs, and to the hope of a De-
5f7 feet long, 91 feet 2 inches wide, and 47 feet 2 inches high —that is, three times the length of a first-rate man-of-war in the British navy. 16. A window—probablj' a sky -
liverer, excited by the promise made to Eve. That this expectation was founded on a divine communication we infer from the Importance attached to it and the confidence of Its expression." |Petek Smith.] 32. Noah was five hnndi-ed years old : and . . . l>egat—That he and the other patriarchs were advanced in life ere children were born to them, is a difliculty accounted for probably fiom the circumstance that Moses does not here record their first-born sons, but only the succession from Adam '.nrough Setli to Abraham.
light, formed of some transparent substance vinkuown. in a cubit shalt thou finisli it above—a direction to raise the roof in the middle, seemingly to form a gentle slope for letting the water run ofl". 17-22. And, behold,
I, even I, do bring a flood—The repetition of the announcement was to establish its certainty (ch. 41. 32 1. Whatever opinion may be entertained as to the operation
of natural laws and agencies in the deluge, it was brongi't on the world by God as a punishment for the enormoiiS wickedness of its inhabitants. 18. But with tliee will I establish my covenant—a special promi.se of deliverance, called a covenant, to convince him of the confidenco » to be reposed in it. The substance and terms of. this covenant are related between v. 19 and 21. 22. Thus did Noah —Hj3 began without delay to prepare the colossal fabric, and in every step of his progress faithfully followed tlio Divine directions he had received.
Ver. 1-22. Wickedness of the World. 3. the sons •f God saw the daughters of men—By the former is meant tlie family of Seth, who were professedly religious; by the latter, the descendants of apostate Cain. Mixed marriages between parties of opposite principles and practice were necessarily sources of extensive corruption. The women, In-eligious themselves, would, as wives and
mothers, exert an influence fatal to the existence of religion in their household, and consequently the people of that later age sank to the lowest depravity. 3. liesh
Ver. 1-24. Entrance into the Akk. 1. And the I-o>'ti said unto Noah, Come tliou and nil thy house Into Ihe ark-Tlie ark was flnished; and he now, in the spirit of implicit faith, which had influenced his whole conduct, waited for directions from God. 2, 3. Of every clenn beast . . . fowls—pairs of every species of animals e.X' pi l the tenants of the deep were to be taken for the preserva-
utterly, hopelessly deba,scd. And tl»e Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive—Christ, as God, had by His Spirit Inspiring Enoch, Nonh, and perhaps other prophets (1 Peter 3. 2f); 2 Peter 2. 5; Jude 14), preached repentance to the antediluvians ; but they were incorrigi-
ble, yet his days shall he an Iiundred and twenty years—It is probable that the corruption of the world, which had now reached Its height, had been long and g-rndually Increasing, and this idea receives support from the long respite granted. 4. giants—the term in Hebrew Implies not so much the Idea of great stature as of reck-
tion of their respective kinds. This was the general rule
of admission, only with regard to those animals wliicli are styled "clean," three pairs were to lie taken, whether of beasts or birds; and tlie reason "(vas that their rapiil multiplication was a matter of the highest importance, when the earth should be renovated from their utility either as articles of food or as employed in the service of
lehs ferocity, impious and daring characters, who spread devastation and carnage far and wide. 5, 6. God saw it.
Asaunging of the Waters. GENESIS VIII, IX. Departure from the A. k,
man. But what was the iisp of the seventli? It was iiianifostly reserveil for sacrifice; and so that both Juriug Noah's residence in the ark, and after his return to dry land, provision was made lor celebrating the rites of worship according to the religion of fallen man. He did not, like many, leave religion behind. He provided for it ilnring his protracted voyage. 4. For yet seven rtnys— A week for a world to rep(^nt! What a solemn pause!
of their return being nearly twice as long a.s that of their
ri.se. 6. at the end of forty days—It is easy to imagine the ardent longing Noah and his family must have felt to enjoy again the sight of land as well as breathe the fi'i-sh air; and it was perfectly consistent with faith and patience to make inquiries, wheiher the earth was yet ready. 7. And he sent forth a raven—The smell of carrion would allure it to remain if the earth were in a habitable state. But it kept hovering about the spot, and, being a solitary bird, probably perched on the covering. 8-11. Also he sent forth a dove—A bird flying low and naturally disposed to return to the place of her abode 10. again lie sent forth a dove—Her flight, judging by the time she was abroad, was pursued to a greafdistance, and the newly-plucked olive leaf, she no doubt, by supernatural impulse, brought in her bill, aflbrded a \velcome proof that the declivities of the hills were clear. 12. he
J)id tliey laugh and ridicule liis folly still? He whose eyes saw, and whose heart felt the full amount of human inicjuity and perversencss, lias told us'of their reckless disi'egard (Luke 17. 27). 9. There went In two and two —Doubtless they were led l)y a Divine impulse. The number would not be so large as at first sight one is apt to imagine. It has been calculated that there are not more
tlian three hundred distinct species of beasts and birds,
tlie immense varieties in regard to form, size, and colour, being traceable to the influence of climate and other circumstances. 16. and the Lord shnt ]kim in lit., "covered hhn round about." The " shutting him in " intimated
. . . sent forth the dove s which returned not . . . any more—In these results, we perceive a wisdom and prudence far superior to the inspiration of instinet^—we discern the agency of God guiding all the movements of this bird for the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hopes of his household, olher seven days—a strong presumptive proof that Noah observed the Sabbath during his residence in the ark. 13, 14. Noah removed the covering of the arlt—probably only as much of it as would afford him a prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never stirred from his appointed abode
tliat he had become the special object of Divine care and protection, and that to those without the season of grace was over (Matthow 25. 10). 17. the waters Increased, and hare up tlic arlc—It seems to have been raised so gradually as, perhaps, to be scarcely perceptible to tlie inmates. 20. Fifteen dibits upward . . . and tlie iiionnt-
aiiis were covered—twenty-two and a-half feet above the summits of the highest hills. The language is not con-
till he had received the express permission of Goil. We should watch the leading of Providence to direct us in every step of the journey of life.
sistent with the theory of a partial deluge. 21. all flesh died . . . fowl . . . cattle, and . . . creeping thing—It has been a uniform principle in the Divine procedure, when judgments were abroad on the earth, to include every thing connected with the sinful objects of His wrath (ch. 19. 25; Exodus 9. 6). Besides, now that the human race were reduced to one single family, it was necessary that the beasts should be proportionally diminished, otherwise by their numbers they would have acquired the ascendancy, and overmastered the few that were to re-people the world. Tluis goodness was mingled
lo-2'2. Departukb from the Ark. 15, 16. And God spake . . . Go fortli—They went forth in the most orderly manner—the human inmates first—then each species "after their kinds," according to their families, implying that there had been an increase in the ark. 20. Noah builded an altar—W., "a high place"—probably a mound of earth, on which a sacrifice was ottered. There is something exceedingly beautiful and interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which he and his family had experienced, took of every clean beast, and . . . fowl—For so unparalleled a deliverance, a special acknowledgment was due. 21. The Liord smelled a sweet savour—The sacrifice ofl'ered by a righteous man like Noah in faith, was acceptable as the most fragrant incense. Lord said in his heart—same as "I have sworn that tJie waters of Noah should no more go over the earth" (Isaiah 54.9). "for," i.e., "tliough the imagination is evil;" instead of Inflicting another destrnctive flood, I shall spare them—to enjoy the blessings of grace, through a Saviour. a'-3. Wlille the earth remalneth—The consummation as intimated in '2 Peter
witli severity; the Lord exercises judgment in wisdom, and in wrath remembers mercy. 24:. an hundred and
fifty days—a period of five months. Though long before that every living creature must have been drowned, such
a lengthened continuance of tlie flood was designed to manifest God's stern displeasure at sin and sinners.
Tliink of Noah during such a crisis. We learn (Kzekicl U. H) that he was a man who lived and breatheil habit-
ually in an atmosphere of devotion; and having in tlie
exercise of this high-toned faith made God his refuge, he
did not fear "though the waters roared and were troubled
hough the mountains shook with the swelling thereof."
3. 7, does not frustrate a promise which held goo<l only during tlie contixiuance of that system. There will be no flood between this and that day, when the earth therein shall be burnt up. [Chalmers.]
V('r.l-14, Assuaging OF THE Waters. 1. God rcmem-
liered Noah—The Divine purpose In this awful dispensa-
tion liad been accomplished, and the world had un<li'rgono
those clianges necessary to fit it for becoming tlie residence
of man under a new economy of providence, every living thing ... in the arU—A beautiful illustration of Mattlicw 10. '2fl. and God made a wind to pans over the enrlli—Though the Divine will could have dried up the
Ver. 1-7. Covenant. 1. And God blessed Noah— Here
Is republished the law of nature that was aiinoun(^ed to Adam, consisting as It originally did o' several parts.
lifjuid mass In an Instant—the agency of a wind was employed (Psalm 101. 4)—prol)al>ly a ?iot wind, which, by
Ite fruitful, Ac.—The first part relates to the transmission of life, the original blessing being re-nnnounced In the very same words In which it had been promi.st'd at first. 2. And the fear of you and the dread of you—the second re-establishes man's dominion over the inferior animals; It was now founded not as at first in love and kindness, but In terror; this dread of man prevails among
rapl<l evaporathm, would again absorb one portion of the waters into the atmosphere; and by which, the other
•would be gradually drained oflT by outlets beneath.
4. seventh month—of the year—not of the flood—which
histed only five months, rested-evidently indicating a calm and gentle motion, upon tlie mountains of Ararat—or Armenia, as the word is rendered (2 Kings 19.
all the stronger as well as the weaker memliers of Iho animal tribes, and keeps away from his haunt.t nil Imt those employed In his service. 3. Kvcry moving thing that llvetli shall be meat for you—the third part concerns the means of «i(4'^(7uim,f/ life; man was for the first time, it would seem, allmrfii the usi^ of animal food, Tut the grant was accompanied wllli oiurcstrlcllon. 'I. Hut flesh . . . the blood . . . shall ye not eat—The solo lu<
ri7; Isaiati 37. IIS). The mountain which tradition points
to' as. tlie one on which the ark rested. Is now called Ara Dagh—the flnger mountain. Its summit consists of two
p,.,il;s—the higher of which Is 17,7.50 f(!et, and the other
):i,r20 above the l(!V(d of the sea. 5. Anil the waters de-
ci enseil continually—The decrease of the waters was for wise reasons exceedingly slow and gradual—the period
THE UANKS OF TllK JOUJUAN.
GWs Covenant signified by the Itaiabow, GENESIS X, XI. Confusion of Tomjwx.
t«iuion of tlii« prohibition was to prevent these excesses
these quarters the early descend.ants of Japhetli had their settlements, tt. sons of Ham—emigiated southward, and their settlements were—that of Cush in Arabia, of 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." 8. Nimrod—mentioned as eclipsing all his family in renown. He early distinguished himself V)y his daring and successful prowess in hunting wild beasts. J^y those useful services he earned a title to public gratitude; and, having eslalilished a permanent ;uscendancy over the people, he founded the lirsl kingdom in the world. 10. the beginning of his kiiig- «lom—Thi^i 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 (Nimiod) at the head of his army went forth into Assyria," i. e., he pushed his conquests into that country, and biillded Nineveh —opposite the town of Mosul, on the Tigris, and the other towns near it. This ni.id into .Assyria was an inviision 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. 31. Unto Shem—The historian introduces him with marked distinction as "the father of Eber," the ancestor of the Hebrews. 33. Aram—in the general division of the earth, the countries of Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Syria, fell to his descendants. 34. Arpliaxad —The settlement of his posterity was in the extensive valley of Sliinar, on the Tigris, towards the southern extremity of Mesopotamia, including the country of Eden and the region on the cast side o;' the river. 35. Feleg; for in his days was tlie eartli divided—After the flood (ch. 11. 10-16) the descendants of Noah settled at pleasure, and enjoyed the i^roduce of the undivided soil. But according to Divine instruction, made probably through Eber, who seems to have been distinguished for piety or a prophetic character, the earth was divided, and his son's name, "Peleg," was given in memory of that event. See Deuteronomy 32. 8; Acts 17, 2(i. 33. These are tlie families of the sons of Noah after their generations, in their nations, &c.—This division was made in the most orderly manner; and the inspired historian evidently intimates that the sons of Noah were ranged according to their nations, and every nation ranked by its families, so that every nation had its assigned territory, and in every nation the tribes, and in every tribe the families, were located by themselves. .
lit cannibal ferocity in eating flesli of living animals, to which men in the earlier ages of the world were liable. 5. surely your tilood of j'our llve« will I require—The fourth part establishes a new power {ov protcclinr/ IHu—the Institution of the civil niiigistrate (Romans 13. -1), armed with public and official authority to repress the commission of violence and crime. Such a power had not previously existed in patriarchal society. 6. Wlioso skeddetK man's blood . . . for in tlie imajc^c of God mnde he man—It is true that image lias been ii\,jureil by the fall, but it is not lost. In this view, a high value is
atta'^hetl to the life of every luan, even the poorest and humblest, and an awful criminality is involved in the destruction of it.
8-29 Rainbow. 13. I do set my bow In the clond
Set, I. e., constitute or appoint. This common and familiar phenomenon being made the pledge of peace, its appesirance when showers began to fall would be welcomed with the liveliest feelings of joy. 30. And Nonli . . . planted a vineyard—Noah had been probably bred to
tlie culture of the soil, and resumed that employment on leaving the aik. 31. And lie drank of tUe ivine, and «R-S drunken—perhaps at the festivities of the vintage season. This solitars' stain on the character of so eminently pious a man must, it is believed, have been the result of age or inadvertency, a*. This incident could scarcely have happened till twenty years after the flood; for Canaan, wliose conduct was more offensive than that even of his father, was not born till after tluit event. It
is probable that there is a long interval included between these verses, and that this prophecy, like tha t of Jacob on his sons, was not uttered till near the close of Noah's life, when the prophetic spirit came upon him; this presumption is strengthened by the mention of his death immediately after. 25. Cursed be Canaan—this doom has been fulfilled in the destruction of the Canaanites—in the degradation of Egj-^)t, and the slavery of the Africans, the descendants of Ilam. 86. Blessed be tlie Lord God of Sliem—rather, " Blessed of Jehovah, my God, be Shem," —an intimation that the descendants of Shem should be peculiarly lionoured in the service of the true God—His Cliiirch being for ages established amongst them (the Jews), and of them concerning the flesh Christ came. They got possession of Canaan, the people of that land being made their "servants " either by conquest, or, like the Gibeonltes, by submission. 37. God sliall enlarge Japheth—pointing to a vast increase in posterity and possessions. Accordingly his descendants have been the most active and enterprising, spread over the best and largest portion of the world, all Europe and a considerable part of Asia, he shall dwell in tlie tents of Shem—
prophecy being fulfilled at the present day, as in India British Government is established, and the Anglo-Saxons being in the ascendant from Europe to India, from India over the American continent. What a wonderful prophecy in a few verses ! Isaiah 46. 10; 1 Peter 1. 25.
Ver. 1-32. Confusion of Tongues. 1. the whole earth was of one language—The descendants of Noah, united by the strong bond of a common language, lH»d not separated, and notwithstanding the Divine command to replenish the earth, were unwilling to separate. The more pious and well-disposed would of course obey the Divine will; but a numerous body-^seemingly the aggressive horde menticmed (ch. 10. 10), determined to please themselves by occupying the fairest region thej' came to. 3. land of Shinar—the fertile valley watered by the Euphrates and Tigris was chosen as the centre of their union and the seat of their power. 3. brick—there being no stone in that quarter, brick is and wafe the only material used for building, as appears in the mass of ruins which at tiie Birs Nimroud may have been the very town formed by those ancient rebels. Some of these are sun-dried—otliers burnt in the kiln and of different colours, slime—bitumen, a mineral pitch, which, when hardened, forms a strong cement, commonly used in Assyria to this day, and forming the mortar found on the burnt-brick remains of antiquity. 4. a tower whose top may reocli unto heaven—a common figurative expression for great height (Deuteronomy 1.28; 9.1-6). 6. now nothing will be restrained from them—an apparent admission that the design was practicable, and would have been executed but for the Divine interposl*
Ver. 1-32. Genealogies. 1. sons of Woah—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 theelderbrotherof Japheth (v.
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 tlie English Ue. 5. the isles of the Gentiles—
phra.se by which the Hebrews described all countries which were accessible by sea (Isaiah 11. 11 ; 20. 6; Jeremiah
2&. 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 Euxlne. Accordingly, it was in
Ccdl to Abram. GENESIS XII. XIII. Return from Eyyyt.
tion. lest wc he scattered—To build a city and a town was no crime; but to do tliis, to defeat llie counsels of heaven by attempting to prevent emigration, was foolisii, wicked, and justly offensive to God. 7. coiifouiid their language lit., their lip; it was a failure in utterance, occasioning a difference in dialect which was intelligible only to those of the same tribe. Thus easily by God their purpose was defeated, and they were compelled to the dispersion they had combined to prevent. It is only from the Scriptures we learn the true origin of tlie different nations and languages of the world. By one miracle of tongues men were dispersed, and gradually fell from true religion. By another, national barriers were broken down—that all men might be brought back to ihe family of God. 38. XJr (now Orfa)—i. e., light, or fire. Its name probably derived from its being devoted to the rites of fire-worship. Terah and his family were equ.ally infected with that idolatry as tlie rest of the inhabitants (Joshua
from the monuments of that country that at the tij.ie of Abram's visit a monarchy had existed for several centuries. The seat of government was in the Delta, the most nortliern part of the country, the very quarter in which Abram must have arrived. They were a race of shepherd kings, in close alliance with the people of Canaan. 15. tlie woman was taken into Pliaraoh's hoxise—Eastern kings have for ages claimed the privilege of taking to their harem an unmarried woman whom they like. The father or brotlier may deplore the removal as a calamity, but the roya7 rlgnt is m-ver resisted nor questioned. 16. he entreattxl Abram well for her sake—The presents are jr.st what one pastoral chief would give t<» another. 18-20. He.e is a most humiliating rebuke, and Abram deser\cd it. Had not God interfered he might have been (.empted to stay in Egypt, and forget the promise (Psalm 105. 1:5, lo). Often still does God rebuke His people and remind them through enemies that this world is not th .Ir rest.
24. 15). 31. Sarai Uls daugliter-in-law—the same as Iscah, grand-daughter of Terah, probably by a second wife, and by early usages considered marriageable to her uncle Abralram. and tliey came unto Haran—two days' journey South-South-East from Ur, in the direct road to the ford of the Euphrates at Rakka, the nearest and most convenient route to Palestine.
Ver. 1-18. Retckn fkom Egypt. 1. went up . . . soutJi —Palestine being a highland country, the entrance from Egypt by its southern boundary is a continual ascent. 3. T-ery rich—compared witli the pivstoral tribes to which Abraham belonged. An Arab slieick is considered rich who has a liundred or two hundred tents, from sixty to a hundred camels, a thousand sheep and goats respectively. And Abraham being very rich, must have far exceeded that amount of pastoral property. "Gold and silver" being rare among these people, his probably arose from the sale of his produce in Egypt. 3. went on hia journeys—his pro^'ess would be by slow marches and frequent encampments, as he had to regul.ate his movements by the prospect of water and pasturage, unto tlie place
Ver. 1-20. Call to Abkam. 1. Now tlie Lord lind said unto Abram—It pleased God, who has often been found of them who sought him not, to reveal himself to Abraham perhaps by a miracle; and the conversion of Abraham is one of the. most remarkable in Bible history. Get tUee out of tliy country—His being brought to the knowledge and worship of the true God had probably been a considerable time before. Tliis call included two promises: the lirst, showing the land of his future posterity; and the second, tliat in his posterity all the earth was to be blessed. Abraham obeyed, and it is frequently mentioned in the New Testament as a striking instance of his faitli (Hebrews 11. 8). 5. into the land of Canaan
. . . between Beth-el and Hal—"a conspicuous liill—its topmost summit resting on the rocky slopes below, and distinguished by its olive groves—ollcriiig a natural base for the altar and a fitting shade for the tent of the patriarch." [Stanley.] 4. there Abram called on tJ»e name of the liord—he felt a strong desire to re-animate liis
. . . tliey came—with his wife and an orphan nepliew. Abram reached his destination in safety, ,an<l thus tlie
faiih and piety on the scene of his former worship: It might be to express humility and penitence for his misconduct in Egypt, or thankfulness for deliverance from perils—to embrace the first opporluiiity on returning to Canaan of leading his family to renew allegiance to God, and offer the typical sacritices which pointed to the blessings of the promise. 7. And there was a strife—Abraham's cliaracler appears here in a most amiable light. Having a st rong sense of religion, lie was afraid of doing anything tliat might tend to injure Its character or bring discredit on Its name, and he riglitly judged that such unhappy efl'ects would he produced if two persons whom nature and grace had so closel.v connoted should come to a rupture. Waiving his right to dictate, he gave the freedom of choice to Lot. The conduct of Abraham was not only disintercste<l and peaceable, but generous and condi'-
first promise was made good. 6. tUe place of Sicliem or Shechem, a pastoral valley then unoccupied (cf. ch,
33. IS), plain of Moreh—rather, the "terebinth tree" of Moreh, very common in Palestine, remarliable for its wide-spreading brandies and its dark green foliage. It
is probable that in Moreh tliere was a grove of these trees, whose inviting shade led Abram to clioose it for an encampment. 7. Unto thy seed will I give this land— God was dealing with Abram not in his private and personal capacity merely, but with a view to liigh and important interests in future ages. Tliat land liis posterity was for centuries to inhaliit as a peculiar people; the seeds of Divine knowledge were to be sown tlierc for the benefit of all mankind; and considered in its geograpli-
ical situation,.it was chosen in Divine wisdom the lUtest of all lands to serve as the cradle of a Divine revelation
scciidiiig In an extraoidiiiary degree, cxemplijying the
S<-ripture precepts, Matthew 0. 3'2; Homans 12. 10, 11 ; Pliilippians 2.4. 10. Lot lifted up his eyes—Travellers describe that from the top of this hlH, a little "to the cast of Bethel," tlu-y can see the Jordan, the broad meadows on either bank, and the waving line of verdure which marks the course of the stream. 11. Tlieu Lot chose lilm all tlie plain—a choice excellent in a worldly point of view, but most iiu-xpedlent for his best Interests. Ho seems, though a good man, to have been too much under the inlluence of a selfish and covetous spirit : and how man.v, alas! Imperil the good of their souls lor ti.e i.rospecl of worldly advantage. 1*, l.'i. I-itt up now thine eyes . . . all the land which thou seest—so extensive a survey of the country, in <M liircctioiix, can be obtained from no other point in the neighbourhood; and those plains and hills, then lying desolate before theoyes of the
designed for the whole world, and there bullded he an altar unto the I>ord—By this solemn act of devotion lie made an open profession of his religion, establislied tlie worship of the true God, and declared his faith in tlie
pi'oniise. 10. there was a famine . . . antl Abram went tlown into Egypt—flid not go back to the place of his n.-itivity, as regretting his pilgrimage an<l despising
tlie promised land (Hebrews 11. iri), but witl'idrew for a while into a neighbouring country. H-13. Saral's complexion, coming from a mountainous country, would be fresh and fair compared witli tlie faces of Egyptian women whicli were sallow. Tlie counsel of Abram to her was true in words, but it was a deception. Intended lo give an impression that she was no more tlian iiis
bister. His conduct was culpalile and Inconsistent with his character as a servant of fjoil : it sliowe<l a reliance on woildly policy more th.'in ii trust In the promise; and he not only sinned himself, but tempted .Sarai to sin also.
solitary iiatriarch, were to be peopled with a mighty nation " like the dust of the earth in number," as they were
II, when Abram wag come Into Kgypt.—It appears 24
in Holo:non's time (1 Kings 4. 20). 18. plain of Olamrc
hoi taken Prisoner. GENESIS XIV, XV, XVI, Bestovment of Hagar.
, . . built . . . an altar—grove of Mamre—the renewal of the promise was acknowledged by Abram by a fresh tribnto of devout gratitude.
the Lord—a phrase used, when connected with a vlsioii, to denote a prophetic message. Fear not, Abram—When the excitement of the enterprise was over he had become a prey to despondency and terror at the probable revengd that might be meditated against him. To dispel his fear, he was favoured with this gracious announcement. Having such a promise, how well did it become him, and a 1 God's people who have the same promise, to dismiss their fears, and cast their liurdens on the Lord (Psalm 27. 3). a. liord God, tvhat wilt thou give!—To his mind the declaration, "I am thy exceeding great reward," had but one meaning, or was viewed but in one particular light, as bearing on the fulfilment of the promise, and he waa
Ver. 1-24. War. 1. And it came to pass—Tliis chapter presents Abram in the unexpected character of a warrior. The occasion was this: The king of Sodom and the kings ol the adjoining cities, after having been tributaries for twelve years to the king of Elam, combined to throw off his yoke. To chastise their rebellion, as he deemed it, Chedorlaomer, with the aid of three allies, invaded the territories of the refractory princes—defeated them in a pitched battle, where the nature of the ground favoured his army (v. 10), and hastened in triumph on his homeward march, with a large amount of captives and booty, though merely a stranger. 13. they took Lot . . . and Ills goods, and departed—How would the conscience of that young man now upbraid him for his selfish folly and ingratitude in withdrawing from his kind and pious relative! "Whenever we go out of the path of duty, we put ourselves away from God's protection, and cannot expect that the choice we make will be for our lasting good. 13. there came one that had escaped—Abram might have excused himself from taking any active concern in his
still experiencing the sickness of hope defHrred. Eliezer of Damascus . . , one born in my Iionst; is mine lictr —According to the usage of Nomadic tribes, his chief confidential servant would be heir to his possessions -iiid honours. But this man could have become his son only by adoption; and how sadly would that have come short of the parental hopes he had been encouraged to entertain ! His language betrayed a latent spirit of fretlulnoss, or perhaps a temporary failure in the very virtue for which he is so renowned—an absolute submission to God's time as well as way of accomplishing His promise.
4r. Tills shall not be thine heir—To the first part of his address no reply was given; but having renewed it In a spirit of more becoming submission, "whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it," he was delighted by a most explicit promise of Canaan, which was Immediately confirmed by a remarkable ceremony. 9-12. Take ine an heifer, &c.—On occasions of great Importance, v/hen two or more parties join in a compact, they either oliserve precisely the same rites as Abram did, or, where they do not, they invoke the lamp as their witness. According to these ideas, which have been from time immemorial engraven on the minds of Eastern people, the Lord himself condescended to enter into covenant with Abram. The patriarch did not pass between the sacrifice, and the reason was that in this transaction he was bound to nothing. He asked a sign, and God was pleased to give him a sign, by ^Yhich, according to Eastern ideas, he bound himself. In like manner God has entered into covenant with us; and in the glory of the Only Begotten Son, who passed through between God and us, all who believe have, like Abram, a sign or pledge in the gift of the Spirit, whereby they may know that they shall inherit the heavenly Canaan.