Harper Albert Foster - Beacon Bible commentary. Volume I, Genesis through Deuteronomy

EDITORIAL BOARD

A. F. Harper, Ph.D., D.D.

Chairman

Ralph Earle, B.D., M.A., Th.D.

New Testament Editor

W. M. Greathouse, M.A., D.D.

Secretary

W. T. Purkiser, Ph.D., D.D.

Old Testament Editor

ADVISORY BOARD

BEACON BIBLE COMMENTARY

In Ten Volumes

I. Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy

II. Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I and II Samuel; I and II Kings; I and II Chronicles; Ezra; Nehemiah; Esther

III. Job; Psalms; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon

IV. Isaiah; Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel; Daniel

V. Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi

VI. Matthew; Mark; Luke

VII. John; Acts

VIII. Romans; I and II Corinthians

IX. Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I and II Thessalonians; I and II Timothy; Titus; Philemon

X. Hebrews; James; I and II Peter; I, II, and III John; Jude; Revelation

BEACON

BIBLE COMMENTARY

COPYRIGHTED 1969 BY
BEACON HILL PRESS OF KANSAS CITY
KANSAS CITY, MO.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
CARD NUMBER 64-22906

ISBN: 083-410-3001
eISBN: 978-0-8341-2687-9

Printed in the United States of America

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Preface

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (II Tim. 3:16-17).

We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Bible. God speaks to men through His Word. He has spoken unto us by His Son. But without the inscripted Word how would we know the Word which was made flesh? He does speak to us by His Spirit, but the Spirit uses the written Word as the vehicle of His revelation, for He is the true Author of the Holy Scriptures. What the Spirit reveals is in agreement with the Word.

The Christian faith derives from the Bible. It is the Foundation for faith, for salvation, and sanctification. It is the Guide for Christian character and conduct. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).

The revelation of God and His will for men is adequate and complete in the Bible. The great task of the Church, therefore, is to communicate the knowledge of the Word, to enlighten the eyes of the understanding, and to awaken and to illuminate the conscience that men may learn to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. This leads to the possession of that inheritance [that is] incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven.

When we consider the translation and interpretation of the Bible, we admit we are guided by men who are not inspired. Human limitation, as well as the plain fact that no scripture is of private or single interpretation, allows variation in the exegesis and exposition of the Bible.

Beacon Bible Commentary is offered in 10 volumes with becoming modesty. It does not supplant others. Neither does it purport to be exhaustive or final. The task is colossal. Assignments have been made to 40 of the ablest writers available. They are trained men with serious purpose, deep dedication, and supreme devotion. The sponsors and publishers, as well as the contributors, earnestly pray that this new offering among Bible commentaries will be helpful to preachers, teachers, and laymen in discovering the deeper meaning of God's Word and in unfolding its message to all who hear them.

G. B. WILLIAMSON

Acknowledgments

Quotation from copyrighted material is gratefully acknowledged as follows:

Abingdon Press, The Interpreter's Bible, edited by George A. Buttrick, et al., Volumes 1 and 2; and The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, edited by George A. Buttrick, et al.

John Knox Press, The Layman's Bible Commentary, edited by Balmer H. Kelly, et al.

Moody Press, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison.

Fleming H. Reveil Company, G. Campbell Morgan, An Exposition of the Whole Bible; Charles R. Erdman, The Book of Leviticus.

Soncino Press, J. H. Hertz, ed., The Pentateuch and Haftorahs.

Scripture quotations have been made from the following copyrighted sources:

The Amplified Old Testament. Copyrighted 1964, Zondervan Publishing House.

The Berkeley Version in Modern English. Copyright 1958, 1959, Zondervan Publishing House.

The Bible: A New Translation, James Moffatt. Copyright 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 by James A. R. Moffatt. Used by permission of Harper and Row.

The Bible: An American Translation, J. M. Powis Smith, Edgar J. Goodspeed. Copyright 1923, 1927, 1948 by The University of Chicago Press.

Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible. Copyright 1946 and 1952 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches.

The Basic Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments in Basic English. Copyright 1950 by E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc.

Quotations and References

Boldface type in the exposition indicates a quotation from the King James Version of the passage under discussion. Readings from other versions are put in quotation marks and the version is indicated.

In scripture references a letter (a, b, etc.) indicates a clause within a verse. When no book is named, the book under discussion is understood.

Bibliographical data on a work cited by a writer may be found by consulting the first reference to the work by that writer, or by turning to the bibliography.

The bibliographies are not intended to be exhaustive but are included to provide complete publication data for volumes cited in the text.

References to authors in the text, or inclusion of their books in the bibliography, does not constitute an endorsement of their views. All reading in the field of biblical interpretation should be discriminating and thoughtful.

How to Use Beacon Bible Commentary

The Bible is a Book to be read, to be understood, to be obeyed, and to be shared with others. Beacon Bible Commentary is planned to help at the points of understanding and sharing.

For the most part, the Bible is its own best interpreter. He who reads it with an open mind and receptive spirit will again and again become aware that through its pages God is speaking to him. A commentary serves as a valuable resource when the meaning of a passage is not clear even to the thoughtful reader. Also after one has seen his own meaning in a passage from the Bible, it is rewarding to discover what truth others have found in the same place. Sometimes, too, this will correct possible misconceptions the reader may have formed.