Bible Commentaries
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3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) In these verses we have the work of creation in its epitome and in its embryo. I. In its epitome, Genesis 1:1, where we find, to our comfort, the first article of our creed, that God the Fath…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here a further account of the first day's work, in which observe, 1. That the first of all visible beings which God created was light; not that by it he himself might see to work (for…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here an account of the second day's work, the creation of the firmament, in which observe, 1. The command of God concerning it: Let there be a firmament, an expansion, so the Hebrew w…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) The third day's work is related in these verses—the forming of the sea and the dry land, and the making of the earth fruitful. Hitherto the power of the Creator had been exerted and employed…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) This is the history of the fourth day's work, the creating of the sun, moon, and stars, which are here accounted for, not as they are in themselves and in their own nature, to satisfy the cur…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) Each day, hitherto, has produced very noble and excellent beings, which we can never sufficiently admire; but we do not read of the creation of any living creature till the fifth day, of whic…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here the first part of the sixth day's work. The sea was, the day before, replenished with its fish, and the air with its fowl; and this day were made the beasts of the earth, the cat…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here the second part of the sixth day's work, the creation of man, which we are, in a special manner, concerned to take notice of, that we may know ourselves. Observe, I. That man was…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here the third part of the sixth day's work, which was not any new creation, but a gracious provision of food for all flesh, Psalm 136:25. He that made man and beast thus took care to…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of creation. As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) We have here, I. The settlement of the kingdom of nature, in God's resting from the work of creation, Genesis 2:1-2. Here observe, 1. The creatures made both in heaven and earth are the hosts…
The Creation. (b. c. 4004.)
THE CREATION. (B. C. 4004.) In these verses, I. Here is a name given to the Creator which we have not yet met with, and that is Jehovah—the LORD, in capital letters, which are constantly used in our English translation…
The Garden of Eden. (b. c. 4004.)
THE GARDEN OF EDEN. (B. C. 4004.) Man consisting of body and soul, a body made out of the earth and a rational immortal soul the breath of heaven, we have, in these verses, the provision that was made for the happiness…
The Tree of Knowledge Prohibited. (b. c. 4004.)
THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE PROHIBITED. (B. C. 4004.) Observe here, I. God's authority over man, as a creature that had reason and freedom of will. The Lord God commanded the man, who stood now as a public person, the father…
Adam's Dominion. (b. c. 4004.)
ADAM'S DOMINION. (B. C. 4004.) Here we have, I. An instance of the Creator's care of man and his fatherly concern for his comfort, Genesis 2:18. Though God had let him know that he was a subject, by giving him a command…
The Formation of Eve; Marriage Instituted. (b. c. 4004.)
THE FORMATION OF EVE; MARRIAGE INSTITUTED. (B. C. 4004.) Here we have, I. The making of the woman, to be a help-meet for Adam. This was done upon the sixth day, as was also the placing of Adam in paradise, though it is…
The Tempter's Subtlety; The Tempter's Importunity (b. c. 4004.)
THE TEMPTER'S SUBTLETY; THE TEMPTER'S IMPORTUNITY (B. C. 4004.) We have here an account of the temptation with which Satan assaulted our first parents, to draw them into sin, and which proved fatal to them. Here observe…
The Fall of Man. (b. c. 4004.)
THE FALL OF MAN. (B. C. 4004.) Here we see what Eve's parley with the tempter ended in. Satan, at length, gains his point, and the strong-hold is taken by his wiles. God tried the obedience of our first parents by forbi…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 3:9-10
We have here the arraignment of these deserters before the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, who, though he is not tied to observe formalities, yet proceeds against them with all possible fairness, that he may be jus…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 3:11-13
We have here the offenders found guilty by their own confession, and yet endeavouring to excuse and extenuate their fault. They could not confess and justify what they had done, but they confess and palliate it. Observe…
Sentence Passed on the Serpent; Intimation of Messiah. (b. c. 4004.)
SENTENCE PASSED ON THE SERPENT; INTIMATION OF MESSIAH. (B. C. 4004.) The prisoners being found guilty by their own confession, besides the personal and infallible knowledge of the Judge, and nothing material being offer…
Sentence Passed on Eve. (b. c. 4004.)
SENTENCE PASSED ON EVE. (B. C. 4004.) We have here the sentence passed upon the woman for her sin. Two things she is condemned to: a state of sorrow, and a state of subjection, proper punishments of a sin in which she h…
Sentence Passed on Adam; Consequences of the Fall. (b. c. 4004.)
SENTENCE PASSED ON ADAM; CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL. (B. C. 4004.) We have here the sentence passed upon Adam, which is prefaced with a recital of his crime: Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, Genesis 3…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 3:20
God having named the man, and called him Adam, which signifies red earth, Adam, in further token of dominion, named the woman, and called her Eve, that is, life. Adam bears the name of the dying body, Eve that of the li…