14. 'H fA'/iv) \D, Geil. xxii.17, LXX., %ar s/uavrov & {toff a, Xeysi Kvpiog, % p^v evXoyuv ? yXoyjjtfw ffs, x.r.X., " I have sworn by Myself, saith the Lord, that blessing I will bless thee," etc. So n pw, Gen. xlii. 1 6. Devarius, when he had collected examples of the particle T\ ^v, infers that this word is used merely by the way of ornament, when it is applied to a promise or an oath : it is quite different in simple affirmations, in which it is necessarily (not merely ornamentally) used. But it may be resolved thus : ^, let there be, whatever shall happen, i.e. occur what may, ^v, yet this shall be done.
15. Muxpodvftfiffas, after he had patiently endured) This is evident from the life of Abraham. — everv^s rJjg s^ayyeXiasj he obtained the promise) he got what was promised ; ver. 14.
16. Kara ro\j ptifyvoc, by the greater) generally by GOD Him self. — xa/, and) and so, on account of the authority of the greater, which is appealed to. — avnXo-yiaz x'spas tig j3z/3aiutfiv, an end of contradiction, or strife, unto confirmation) by which a con-
troversy is terminated in the confirmation of the point in dis pute, beyond all exception : Prov. xviii. 18, D^HD, amXoy/as craus/ xXqpog. — 6 opxo$, the oath) The last resource, which we ought not to use, so long as any other method of removing strife remains.
17. 'EI/ w, in which) in which case. — xtfHtswnpvi) more abun dantly than it might seem to have been done, had it been with out an oath. — jSouXo/o-evos — r^c, (3ov\^g) are conjugates. The utmost benignity is here expressed. — epeffimrtv) He came down into the midst of us : GOD [who might require of us to have the greatest faith in His mere word. — V. g.] drawing nearer to us with won derful condescension by an oath, although He is the greatest, as it were acts as a Mediator, and comes in between Himself and us ; as if He were less, while He swears, than Himself by whom He swears. Dost thou not yet believe, thou that nearest the promise ?
18. Auo, two) The one the promise, the other the oath. — sv o%, in which) This refers to duo, two. — /V^ufob, strong) So as that it may swallow up all strife (contradiction) arising from distrust. Bgj3a/av, firm, stedfast, follows, ver. 19. Both words are joined, ch. ix. 17. 'iff^upog implies that strength by which a man is able to inflict hard blows on his enemy : /3s/Sa/oj, that firmness by which he does not allow himself to be moved from the position which he occupies. — o/ xarapu/w-ss, who have fled for refuge) as from a shipwreck : aynvpav, an anchor, follows. — Kpoxsi/t'evrii) set before us. The same word occurs, ch. xii. 1, 2.
19. "HV) which hope. The following things are compared : —
A ship ; The soul :
A sure anchor ; Hope, i.e. heavenly good things
set before us by GOD, hoped for by us : in a complex sense.
The connection of the ship and The consolation through the the anchor ; promise and oath of GOD.
sure) in respect of us. — fiepafav, firm) in itself. — ro\j the veil) He gradually returns to the priesthood, ch. ix. 3, x. 20.
20. npofyopog, forerunner) swift. A very significant word : a VOL. IV. C C