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3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
The Promise Concerning Ishmael. (b. c. 1911.)
THE PROMISE CONCERNING ISHMAEL. (B. C. 1911.) We may suppose that the angel having given Hagar that good counsel (Genesis 16:9) to return to her mistress she immediately promised to do so, and was setting her face homew…
The Birth of Ishmael. (b. c. 1911.)
THE BIRTH OF ISHMAEL. (B. C. 1911.) It is here taken for granted, though not expressly recorded, that Hagar did as the angel commanded her, returning to her mistress and submitting herself; and then, in the fulness of t…
The Covenant with Abraham Renewed. (b. c. 1898.)
THE COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM RENEWED. (B. C. 1898.) Here is, I. The time when God made Abram this gracious visit: When he was ninety-nine years old, full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. 1. So long, it should see…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 17:4-6
The promise here is introduced with solemnity: "As for me," says the great God, "behold, behold and admire it, behold and be assured of it, my covenant is with thee;" as before (Genesis 17:2), I will make my covenant. N…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 17:7-14
Here is, I. The continuance of the covenant, intimated in three things:—1. It is established; not to be altered nor revoked. It is fixed, it is ratified, it is made as firm as the divine power and truth can make it. 2.…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 17:15-22
Here is, I. The promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, that son in whom the promise made to him should be fulfilled, that he should be the father of many nations; for she also shall be a mother of nations, and kings…
Circumcision of Abraham, &c. (b. c. 1898.)
CIRCUMCISION OF ABRAHAM, &C. (B. C. 1898.) We have here Abraham's obedience to the law of circumcision. He himself and all his family were circumcised, so receiving the token of the covenant and distinguishing themselve…
Abraham's Interview with the Angels. (b. c. 1898.)
ABRAHAM'S INTERVIEW WITH THE ANGELS. (B. C. 1898.) The appearance of God to Abraham seems to have had in it more of freedom and familiarity, and less of grandeur and majesty, than those we have hitherto read of; and the…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 18:9-15
These heavenly guests (being sent to confirm the promise lately made to Abraham, that he should have a son by Sarah), while they are receiving Abraham's kind entertainment, they return his kindness. He receives angels,…
Abraham's Interview with God. (b. c. 1898.)
ABRAHAM'S INTERVIEW WITH GOD. (B. C. 1898.) The messengers from heaven had now despatched one part of their business, which was an errand of grace to Abraham and Sarah, and which they delivered first; but now they have…
Abraham's Intercession for Sodom. (b. c. 1898.)
ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION FOR SODOM. (B. C. 1898.) Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. In the word God speaks to us; in prayer we speak to him. God had revealed to Abraham his purposes concerning Sodom…
Assault on the House of Lot. (b. c. 1898.)
ASSAULT ON THE HOUSE OF LOT. (B. C. 1898.) These angels, it is likely, were two of the three that had just before been with Abraham, the two created angels that were sent to execute God's purpose concerning Sodom. Obser…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 19:4-11
Now it appeared, beyond contradiction, that the cry of Sodom was no louder than there was cause for. This night's work was enough to fill the measure. For we find here, I. That they were all wicked, Genesis 19:4. Wicked…
Rescue of Lot out of Sodom. (b. c. 1898.)
RESCUE OF LOT OUT OF SODOM. (B. C. 1898.) We have here the preparation for Lot's deliverance. I. Notice is given him of the approach of Sodom's ruin: We will destroy this place, Genesis 19:13. Note, The holy angels are…
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (b. c. 1898.)
Here is, I. The rescue of Lot out of Sodom. Though there were not ten righteous men in Sodom, for whose sakes it might be spared, yet that one righteous man that was among them delivered his own soul, Ezekiel 14:14. Ear…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 19:26
This also is written for our admonition. Our Saviour refers to it (Luke 17:32), Remember Lot's wife. As by the example of Sodom the wicked are warned to turn from their wickedness, so by the example of Lot's wife the ri…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 19:27-29
Our communion with God consists in our gracious regard to him and his gracious regard to us; we have here therefore the communion that was between God and Abraham, in the event concerning Sodom, as before in the consult…
Lot's Disgrace. (b. c. 1898.)
LOT'S DISGRACE. (B. C. 1898.) Here is, I. The great trouble and distress that Lot was brought into after his deliverance, Genesis 19:30. 1. He was frightened out of Zoar, durst not dwell there; probably because he was c…
Abraham's Denial of His Wife. (b. c. 1898.)
ABRAHAM'S DENIAL OF HIS WIFE. (B. C. 1898.) Here is, 1. Abraham's removal from Mamre, where he had lived nearly twenty years, into the country of the Philistines: He sojourned in Gerar, Genesis 20:1. We are not told upo…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 20:3-7
It appears by this that God revealed himself by dreams (which evidenced themselves to be divine and supernatural) not only to his servants the prophets, but even to those who were out of the pale of the church and coven…
Abimelech's Conduct Towards Abraham. (b. c. 1898.)
ABIMELECH'S CONDUCT TOWARDS ABRAHAM. (B. C. 1898.) Abimelech, being thus warned of God in a dream, takes the warning, and, as one truly afraid of sin and its consequences, he rises early to obey the directions given him…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 20:14-18
Here is, I. The kindness of a prince which Abimelech showed to Abraham. See how unjust Abraham's jealousies were. He fancied that if they knew that Sarah was his wife they would kill him; but, when they did know it, ins…
The Birth of Isaac. (b. c. 1897.)
THE BIRTH OF ISAAC. (B. C. 1897.) Long-looked-for comes at last. The vision concerning the promised seed is for an appointed time, and now, at the end, it speaks, and does not lie; few under the Old Testament were broug…
Hagar and Ishmael Expelled. (b. c. 1892.)
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL EXPELLED. (B. C. 1892.) The casting out of Ishmael is here considered of, and resolved on. I. Ishmael himself gave the occasion by some affronts he gave to Isaac his little brother, some think on the d…