Transcription
Da n i e l & R o m a n sCommentary
Praise for The Moody BiBle CoMMenTaryThis commentary is concise. It takes into account the latest scholarship and is directed toall who are interested in the meaning of the text. It helps all of us understand the practicalapplication of Scripture. This will be a commentary that stays on my desk and is used often.Erwin W. LutzerSenior Pastor, The Moody Church, ChicagoThe Moody Bible Institute has been my proudest association for more than four decades,and The Moody Bible Commentary is one more reason why. This is the perfect resource for alayperson like me, and I expect it to inform my study, my devotions, and my writing for years tocome.Jerry B. JenkinsNovelist and chairman of the Board of Trustees, Moody Bible InstituteI’m thrilled that The Moody Bible Commentary is available. What a tremendous resource foreveryone who loves studying the Bible and values teaching the “whole counsel of God.” Thisremarkable work provides verse by verse exposition of both the Old and New Testaments bysolid, trusted evangelical scholars who believe deeply in the inerrancy of the Scriptures andpower of the Word to transform lives. It is quickly becoming an invaluable part of my referencelibrary. I highly recommend that you add it to yours.Joel C. RosenbergNew York Times best-selling author and Bible teacherThe Moody Bible Commentary has all the ingredients—a trustworthy organization with anunshakeable confidence in God’s Word, credible biblical scholarship, user-friendly language,and contemporary application. Get a copy for yourself and use it as you study God’s Word foryour own soul, and prepare to share its life changing message with others.James MacDonaldPastor, Harvest Bible ChapelFor so many people, the name “Moody” is synonymous with the word “trust.” Having a Biblecommentary that is written by the faculty of Moody Bible Institute means you can trust whatyou are reading to be accurate as well as edifying. This commentary is a “must-have” in theParshall library.Janet ParshallNationally syndicated talk-show hostThe Moody Bible Commentary is a very readable resource, helpful to the layman, Bible studyteacher, and serious student alike. The introductory material to each book provides excellentinformation, and the actual commentary offers a verse-by-verse explanation of the text anddeals with the important words. The Moody Bible Commentary enables the reader to come to aclear understanding of Scripture that will be helpful for personal knowledge, spiritual growth,and ministry.Paul Enns, ThDProfessor and Director, Tampa ExtensionSoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Moody Bible Commentary offers a user-friendly way to understand God’s Word. Christianseverywhere will find it an indispensable resource for unlocking the meaning of the text. Thisvolume is destined to become a modern classic.Ray PritchardPresident, Keep Believing MinistriesAuthor, An Anchor for the SoulOnce again, Moody Publishers, the name you can trust, has provided Bible students andteachers alike a comprehensive biblical resource that will help them to understand andcommunicate biblical truths effectively. It is a must-read tool for every Christian’s library.Tony EvansPresident, The Urban AlternativeSenior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, DallasHere in one volume is skillful theological wisdom and commentary from God’s library of sixtysix books. This is a gift for laypeople who serve Jesus without having had the privilege of formalbiblical training.Jill P. Briscoe, DLittAuthor and speakerThe Moody Bible Commentary is a dependable, dynamic, understandable, verse-by-versestudy of the entire Bible. The contributors are teaching scholars who have given their lives toaccurately teach God’s Word. I can’t wait to order my personal copy and learn from it.George SweetingChancellor Emeritus, Moody Bible InstituteMoody Bible is a name you can trust and this Moody Commentary is a book you can trust. It’sconcise, biblically solid, deals with current theological issues, and provides quality scholarshipin understandable language. I highly recommend it!Chip IngramCEO and Teaching Pastor, Living on the EdgeWhat a great addition to the library of anyone who seeks to probe the riches of God’s Word—for application, edification, and transformation. Who better to write it than the faculty ofMoody Bible Institute! I add my enthusiastic endorsement to the many others who will findthis to be a valued companion in the study of God’s Word.Joseph M. StowellPresident, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MIThe Moody Bible Commentary provides the reader with a great reference, an overview, asynthesis, an outline, and detailed notes that address difficult or thorny passages. You don’thave to be a scholar to benefit from this resource. One can (almost) never have too manycommentaries, so add this volume to your library. It will serve you for years to come.Michael EasleyTeaching Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Nashville, TN
2014 byThe Moody Bible Instituteof ChicagoAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, exceptin the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962,1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quotations marked esv are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright 2000, 2001 by CrosswayBibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Scripture quotations marked niv are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984,2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comScripture quotations marked nlt are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by TyndaleHouse Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.Scripture quotations marked hcsb are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible , Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 byHolman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible , Holman CSB , and HCSB are federally registeredtrademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.Managing Editor: Allan SholesEditors: Christopher Reese, Paul Brinkerhoff, Philip Rawley, Jim VincentInterior Design: The Livingstone CorporationProofreaders: Peachtree Editorial ServicesCover Design: Smartt Guys designCover Images: Ruins, scroll:123RF / Loaves & fishes: Thinkstock / Camel riders: iStockProduced with the assistance of The Livingstone Corporation (www.LivingstoneCorp.com).Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data[CIP data to come]ISBN: 978-0-8024-2867-7We hope you enjoy this book from Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books andproducts that connect truth to your real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and productswritten and produced from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:Moody Publishers820 N. LaSalle BoulevardChicago, IL 606101 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2Printed in the United States of AmericaCopyrighted Material - Not final copy
THEMOODYB I B L E C O M M E N TA RY Michael Rydelnik andM i c h a e l Va n l a n i n g h a mGeneral EditorsMoody PublishersChicagoCopyrighted Material - Not final copy
CONTENTsForeword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13List of Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19The Old TestamentGenesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Exodus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Leviticus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215Deuteronomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263Joshua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313Judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353Ruth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3911 Samuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3992 Samuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4431 Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4792 Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5191 Chronicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5532 Chronicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583Ezra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637Nehemiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 653Esther . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 681Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .695Psalms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743Proverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .883Ecclesiastes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971Song of Solomon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 987Isaiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1005Jeremiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1103Lamentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1189Ezekiel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1203Daniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1279Hosea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1315Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1331Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1341
TA B L E O f C O N T E N T sObadiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1357Jonah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1361Micah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1369Nahum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1379Habakkuk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1387Zephaniah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1397Haggai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1405Zechariah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1413Malachi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1439The New TestamentMatthew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1449Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1515Luke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1549John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1605Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1665Romans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17411 Corinthians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17712 Corinthians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1807Galatians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1827Ephesians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1845Philippians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1857Colossians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18671 Thessalonians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18772 Thessalonians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18911 Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18952 Timothy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1905Titus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1913Philemon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1917Hebrews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1921James. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19471 Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19572 Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19671 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19732 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19873 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1991Jude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1995Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999Scripture Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2029Subject Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2140
Dedicated to the students of Moody Bible Institute,who have committed to studying God’s Wordand given us, the general editors and contributors,the honor and privilege of teaching it to themand then watching them go out to teach it toothers around the world. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does notneed to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15Theme Verse of the Moody Bible Institute
CONTRIBuTORsLouis A. Barbieri Professor Emeritus of Theology, Moody Bible Institute, Mark, 1 and 2 Peter, JudeBA, Westmont College; ThM, ThD, Dallas Theological SeminaryMichael J. Boyle Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies, Moody Bible Institute, Nahum(BS University of North Dakota; ThM Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, Gordon-ConwellTheological SeminaryJames F. Coakley Professor of Bible, Moody Theological Seminary, Numbers, DeuteronomyBA, Calvary Bible College; MDiv, ThM, Grace Theological Seminary; DMin., Covenant Theological Seminary; ABD University of Stellenbosch)Charles H. Dyer Professor-at-Large of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Jeremiah, Lamentations, EzekielBA, Washington Bible College; ThM, PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary; Graduate Study,Institute of Holy Land Studies, JerusalemDavid Finkbeiner Chair and Professor of Theology, Moody Bible Institute, Proverbs, EcclesiastesBA, Bob Jones University; MA, MDiv, Biblical Theological Seminary; PhD, Trinity International UniversityJohn K. Goodrich Assistant Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, HoseaBA, Moody Bible Institute; MDiv, ThM, Talbot School of Theology; PhD, Durham UniversityDaniel D. Green Professor of Pastoral Studies, Moody Theological Seminary, Micah, RevelationBA, Michigan State University; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, Trinity EvangelicalDivinity SchoolJohn F. Hart Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, John, JamesBS, West Chester University; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; ThD, Grace TheologicalSeminary)John A. Jelinek Vice President and Dean, Professor of Theology, Moody Theological Seminary,Leviticus, AmosBREd, William Tyndale College; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; ThD, Grace TheologicalSeminaryJohn M. Koessler Professor of Pastoral Studies, Moody Bible Institute, 1 and 2 Timothy, TitusBA, Wayne State University; MA, MDiv, Biblical Seminary; DMin, Trinity InternationalUniversityWalter McCord Assistant Professor of Bible, Moody Theological Seminary, ObadiahBS, Pennsylvania State University; BS, Philadelphia College of Bible; ThM, Dallas TheologicalSeminary; ABD, Dallas Theological Seminary; ABD, Indiana Wesleyan UniversityJohn T. McMath Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute–Spokane, JudgesBA, Whitworth College; MDiv, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary; STM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, Western Conservative Baptist SeminaryWilliam H. Marty Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, ActsBA, Biola University; MDiv, Denver Seminary; STM, ThD, Dallas Theological SeminaryEugene J. Mayhew Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Moody Theological Seminary, JobBREd, Detroit Bible College; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; ThD, Grace TheologicalSeminary11Copyrighted Material - Not final copyii
i12iC O N T R I B u TO R sWinfred Neely Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Studies, Moody Bible Institute, 1 and 2 SamuelBA, Trinity College; MA, Wheaton College Graduate School; DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolBryan O’Neal Professor of Theology, Moody Bible Institute, NehemiahBA, Moody Bible Institute; MA, Purdue University; PhD, Purdue UniversityGerald W. Peterman Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,ColossiansBDes, University of Florida; MDiv, MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; PhD, King’s College, University of LondonMichael A. Rydelnik Professor of Jewish Studies, Moody Bible Institute, Song of Solomon, Daniel,Joel, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, MalachiDiploma, Moody Bible Institute; BA, Azusa Pacific University; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMiss, Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolRonald Sauer Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Hebrews, 1, 2 and 3 JohnBA, Mississippi College; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Manchester,EnglandHarry E. Shields Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Studies, Moody Theological Seminary, 1 and 2 KingsBA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, TrinityEvangelical Divinity SchoolTim M. Sigler Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Song of SolomonBA, Faith Baptist Bible College; MA, MDiv, Faith Baptist Theological Seminary; PhD, TrinityInternational UniversityJames Spencer Vice President and Dean of Distance Learning, Moody Bible Institute, IsaiahBS, University of Illinois at Chicago; MA, Wheaton College Graduate School; MDiv, MoodyTheological Seminary; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolWilliam D. Thrasher Professor of Bible and Theology, Moody Theological Seminary, JonahBS, Auburn University; ThM, ThD, Dallas Theological SeminaryJ. Brian Tucker Associate Professor of New Testament, Moody Theological Seminary, EzraBS, Lee College; MA, Liberty University; MDiv, DMin, Michigan Theological Seminary; PhD,University of Wales, LampeterMichael G. Vanlaningham Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Matthew, Romans, 1 CorinthiansBA, Nebraska Wesleyan University; MDiv, Talbot Theological Seminary; PhD Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolGerald D. Vreeland Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute–Spokane, JoshuaBA, Oregon State University; MDiv, ThM, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary; PhD, TrinityInternational UniversityMichael G. Wechsler Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Genesis, Ruth, Esther, PsalmsBS, Rutgers University; MA, Trinity International University; PhD, University of ChicagoWalter White Jr. Former Alumni Director and faculty member, Moody Bible Institute, ZephaniahDiploma, Moody Bible Institute; BA, University of Illinois; ThM, Dallas Theological SeminaryDavid L. Woodall Professor of New Testament and Greek, Moody Theological Seminary, 2CorinthiansBA, Cedarville College; MDiv, ThM, Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary; PhD, Trinity EvangelicalDivinity SchoolKevin D. Zuber Professor of Theology, Moody Bible Institute, Exodus, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Luke, 1and 2 ThessaloniansBA, Grace College; MDiv, ThM, Grace Theological Seminary; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolCopyrighted Material - Not final copy
fOREwORDYou are holding in your hands one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in the storied history of the Moody Bible Institute. Seven years in the making, this major work, the MoodyBible Commentary, provides an outstanding new tool to help laypeople and pastors alike grow intheir knowledge of God’s Word and understand how its timeless principles apply to life today.Unlike many other commentaries, this resource represents a consistent theological approachto the Bible. All thirty contributors are members of the stellar faculties of Moody’s undergraduateschool or its seminary. They bring a careful, literal hermeneutic to the Word, mining the biblicaltext for fresh insights into its meaning. However, they do not require the reader to possess skills inHebrew or Greek. They highlight the truths in a clear, concise manner, providing transliterationsof words from the text so that everyone can benefit from their research.As you make use of this valuable work, you will appreciate its simple format. Each book of theBible is skillfully introduced, providing the reader with an understanding of the historical setting, the author, the audience, and any interpretive issues. An outline for each book is provided,allowing you to trace the argument or story line of the book. This outline is then incorporatedinto the text of the commentary so that you can continue to follow the progression of thoughtin each Bible book.The comments on the text are concise but insightful. Writing from a conservative, evangelical perspective that reaches across denominational lines, the authors tackle the knotty issuesas they emerge in the text. Difficult passages are not ignored. Debated topics are honestlydiscussed, and, when scholarship yields no clear consensus as to meaning, the authors do notartificially create one. In addition, contemporary issues addressed by the Bible are clearlynoted. Thus, in reading, you will find a wonderful weaving of biblical scholarship, theologicalinsight, and practical application.At the Moody Bible Institute, we seek to richly equip people with the truth of God’s Word. Webelieve that every person’s greatest need has always been, and continues to be, a saving relationship with God made possible through a deepening knowledge of His revelation in the Bible. Werecognize that not everyone can sit in our classrooms and absorb the teaching of our fine faculty.This commentary, in a real way, extends their instruction to your home, your classroom, yourpulpit, and your life.May this volume help you grow in your knowledge of the Word and, through application andobedience, become “complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).J. Paul Nyquist, PhDPresident, The Moody Bible Institute9Copyrighted Material - Not final copyii
INTRODuCTION“In order to understand the Bible, you must read it.” This is an axiom that we both firmly believe. A secondary principle to which we both hold is, “If you didn’t understand it the first time,read it again.” More than anything else, the understanding of the B
New York Times best-selling author and Bible teacher The Moody Bible Commentary has all the ingredients—a trustworthy organization with an unshakeable confidence in God’s Word, credible biblical scholarship, user-friendly language, and contemporary application. Get a
