chevron-left All Reading Plans / M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan / Family: 1 Kings 10; Philippians 1. Secret: Ezekiel 40; Psalm 91. (New English Translation)
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M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan

The classic M'Cheyne plan--read the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Gospels every day.
Duration: 365 days
New English Translation (NET)
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1 Kings 10

Solomon Entertains a Queen

10 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon,[a] she came to challenge[b] him with difficult questions.[c] 2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a great display of pomp,[d] bringing with her camels carrying spices,[e] a very large quantity of gold, and precious gems. She visited Solomon and discussed with him everything that was on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king.[f] 4 When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom,[g] the palace[h] he had built, 5 the food in his banquet hall,[i] his servants and attendants,[j] their robes, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he presented in the Lord’s temple, she was amazed.[k] 6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your wise sayings and insight[l] was true! 7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story![m] Your wisdom and wealth[n] surpass what was reported to me. 8 Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy![o] 9 May the Lord your God be praised because he favored[p] you by placing you on the throne of Israel! Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he made you king so you could make just and right decisions.”[q] 10 She gave the king 120 talents[r] of gold, a very large quantity of spices, and precious gems. The quantity of spices the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon has never been matched.[s] 11 (Hiram’s fleet, which carried gold from Ophir, also brought from Ophir a very large quantity of fine timber and precious gems. 12 With the timber the king made supports[t] for the Lord’s temple and for the royal palace and stringed instruments[u] for the musicians. No one has seen so much of this fine timber to this very day.[v]) 13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she requested, besides what he had freely offered her.[w] Then she left and returned[x] to her homeland with her attendants.

Solomon’s Wealth

14 Solomon received 666 talents[y] of gold per year,[z] 15 besides what he collected from the merchants,[aa] traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land. 16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures[ab] of gold were used for each shield. 17 He also made 300 small shields of hammered gold; three minas[ac] of gold were used for each of these shields. The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest.[ad]

18 The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 19 There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side.[ae] 20 There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. There was nothing like it in any other kingdom.[af]

21 All of King Solomon’s cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold. There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon’s time.[ag] 22 Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships[ah] that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet[ai] came into port with cargoes of[aj] gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.[ak]

23 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.[al] 24 Everyone[am] in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.[an] 25 Year after year visitors brought their gifts, which included items of silver, items of gold, clothes, perfume, spices, horses, and mules.[ao]

26 Solomon accumulated[ap] chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem.[aq] 27 The king made silver as plentiful[ar] in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was[as] as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the foothills.[at] 28 Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt[au] and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que. 29 They paid 600 silver pieces for each chariot from Egypt and 150 silver pieces for each horse. They also sold chariots and horses to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Syria.[av]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 10:1 tn Heb “the report about Solomon.”tc The Hebrew text also has, “to the name of the Lord,” which is very awkward due to its unusual syntax. The phrase is omitted in the parallel passage in 2 Chr 9:1. The word “report” is followed by the preposition ל (lamed) in Isa 23:5 and Hos 7:12 and indicates whom the message came to. And otherwise the collocation of לְשֵׁם (leshem, “to the name”) does not follow either a proper noun or the word report elsewhere in scripture. If retained, perhaps it should be translated, “for the reputation of the Lord.”
  2. 1 Kings 10:1 tn Or “test.”
  3. 1 Kings 10:1 tn Or “riddles.”
  4. 1 Kings 10:2 tn Heb “with very great strength.” The Hebrew term חַיִל (khayil, “strength”) may refer here to the size of her retinue (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or to the great wealth she brought with her.
  5. 1 Kings 10:2 tn Or “balsam oil.”
  6. 1 Kings 10:3 tn Heb “Solomon declared to her all her words; there was not a word hidden from the king which he did not declare to her.” If riddles are specifically in view (see v. 1), then one might translate, “Solomon explained to her all her riddles; there was no riddle too complex for the king.”
  7. 1 Kings 10:4 tn Heb “all the wisdom of Solomon.”
  8. 1 Kings 10:4 tn Heb “house.”
  9. 1 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “the food on his table.”
  10. 1 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “the seating of his servants and the standing of his attendants.”
  11. 1 Kings 10:5 tn Heb “there was no breath still in her.”
  12. 1 Kings 10:6 tn Heb “about your words [or perhaps, “deeds”] and your wisdom.”
  13. 1 Kings 10:7 tn Heb “the half was not told to me.”
  14. 1 Kings 10:7 tn Heb “good.”
  15. 1 Kings 10:8 tn Heb “How happy are your men! How happy are these servants of yours, who stand before you continually, who hear your wisdom!”
  16. 1 Kings 10:9 tn Or “delighted in.”
  17. 1 Kings 10:9 tn Heb “to do justice and righteousness.”
  18. 1 Kings 10:10 tn The Hebrew term כִּכָּר (kikkar, “circle”) refers generally to something that is round. When used of metals it can refer to a disk-shaped weight made of the metal or to a standard unit of weight, generally regarded as a talent. Since the accepted weight for a talent of metal is about 75 pounds, this would have amounted to about 9,000 pounds of gold (cf. NCV, NLT); CEV “five tons”; TEV “4,000 kilogrammes.”
  19. 1 Kings 10:10 tn Heb “there has not come like those spices yet for quantity which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.”
  20. 1 Kings 10:12 tn This Hebrew architectural term occurs only here. The meaning is uncertain; some have suggested “banisters” or “parapets”; cf. TEV, NLT “railings.” The parallel passage in 2 Chr 9:11 has a different word, meaning “tracks,” or perhaps “steps.”
  21. 1 Kings 10:12 tn Two types of stringed instruments are specifically mentioned, the כִּנּוֹר (kinnor, “zither” [?]), and נֶבֶל (nevel, “harp”).
  22. 1 Kings 10:12 tn Heb “there has not come thus, the fine timber, and there has not been seen to this day.”
  23. 1 Kings 10:13 tn Heb “besides what he had given her according to the hand of King Solomon.”
  24. 1 Kings 10:13 tn Heb “turned and went.”
  25. 1 Kings 10:14 tn The Hebrew term כִּכָּר (kikkar, “circle”) refers generally to something that is round. When used of metals it can refer to a disk-shaped weight made of the metal or to a standard unit of weight, generally regarded as a talent. Since the accepted weight for a talent of metal is about 75 pounds, this would have amounted to about 50,000 pounds of gold (cf. NCV); CEV, NLT “twenty-five tons”; TEV “almost 23,000 kilogrammes.”
  26. 1 Kings 10:14 tn Heb “the weight of the gold which came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold.”
  27. 1 Kings 10:15 tn Heb “from the traveling men.”
  28. 1 Kings 10:16 tn The Hebrew text has simply “six hundred,” with no unit of measure given.
  29. 1 Kings 10:17 sn Three minas. The mina was a unit of measure for weight.
  30. 1 Kings 10:17 sn The Palace of the Lebanon Forest. This name was appropriate because of the large amount of cedar, undoubtedly brought from Lebanon, used in its construction. The cedar pillars in the palace must have given it the appearance of a forest.
  31. 1 Kings 10:19 tn Heb “[There were] armrests on each side of the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.”
  32. 1 Kings 10:20 tn Heb “nothing like it had been made for all the kingdoms.”
  33. 1 Kings 10:21 tn Heb “there was no silver, it was not regarded as anything in the days of Solomon.”
  34. 1 Kings 10:22 tn Heb “a fleet of Tarshish [ships].” This probably refers to large ships either made in or capable of traveling to the distant western port of Tarshish.
  35. 1 Kings 10:22 tn Heb “the fleet of Tarshish [ships].”
  36. 1 Kings 10:22 tn Heb “came carrying.”
  37. 1 Kings 10:22 tn The meaning of this word is unclear. Some suggest “baboons.”
  38. 1 Kings 10:23 tn Heb “King Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth with respect to wealth and with respect to wisdom.”
  39. 1 Kings 10:24 tc The Old Greek translation and Syriac Peshitta have “all the kings of the earth.” See 2 Chr 9:23.
  40. 1 Kings 10:24 tn Heb “and all the earth was seeking the face of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had placed in his heart.”
  41. 1 Kings 10:25 tn Heb “and they were bringing each one his gift, items of silver…and mules, the matter of a year in a year.”
  42. 1 Kings 10:26 tn Or “gathered.”
  43. 1 Kings 10:26 tn Heb “he placed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.”
  44. 1 Kings 10:27 tn The words “as plentiful” are added for clarification.
  45. 1 Kings 10:27 tn Heb “he made.”
  46. 1 Kings 10:27 sn The foothills (שְׁפֵלָה, shephelah) are the region between the Judean hill country and the Mediterranean coastal plain.
  47. 1 Kings 10:28 sn From Egypt. Because Que is also mentioned, some prefer to see in vv. 28-29 a reference to Mutsur. Que and Mutsur were located in Cilicia/Cappadocia (in modern southern Turkey). See HALOT 625 s.v. מִצְרַיִם.
  48. 1 Kings 10:29 tn Heb “and a chariot went up and came out of Egypt for six hundred silver [pieces], and a horse for one hundred fifty, and in the same way to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram by their hand they brought out.”
Philippians 1

Salutation

1 From Paul[a] and Timothy, slaves[b] of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers[c] and deacons. 2 Grace and peace to you[d] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer for the Church

3 I thank my God every time I remember you.[e] 4 I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you 5 because of your participation[f] in the gospel from the first day until now.[g] 6 For I am sure of this very thing,[h] that the one[i] who began a good work in[j] you will perfect it[k] until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For[l] it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart,[m] since both in my imprisonment[n] and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace[o] together with me. 8 For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight 10 so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Ministry as a Prisoner

12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[p] that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:[q] 13 The[r] whole imperial guard[s] and everyone else knows[t] that I am in prison[u] for the sake of Christ, 14 and most of the brothers and sisters,[v] having confidence in the Lord[w] because of my imprisonment, now more than ever[x] dare to speak the word[y] fearlessly.

15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16 The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.[z] 18 What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes,[aa] and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance[ab] through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My confident hope[ac] is that I will in no way be ashamed[ad] but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die.[ae] 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 Now if I am to go on living in the body,[af] this will mean productive work[ag] for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer:[ah] 23 I feel torn between the two,[ai] because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, 24 but it is more vital for your sake that I remain[aj] in the body.[ak] 25 And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress[al] and joy in the faith,[am] 26 so that what you can be proud of may increase[an] because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.[ao]

27 Only conduct yourselves[ap] in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that[aq] you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,[ar] 28 and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is[as] a sign of their[at] destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which[au] is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you[av] not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are encountering[aw] the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.[ax]

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:1 tn Grk “Paul.” The word “from” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.
  2. Philippians 1:1 tn Traditionally, “servants” or “bondservants.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). One good translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος) in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force. Also, many slaves in the Roman world became slaves through Rome’s subjugation of conquered nations, kidnapping, or by being born into slave households. sn Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10); all these men were “servants (or slaves) of the Lord.”
  3. Philippians 1:1 sn The overseers (or “church leaders,” L&N 53.71) is another term for the same official position of leadership as the “elder.” This is seen in the interchange of the two terms in Titus 1:6-7 and in Acts 20:17, 28, as well as in the parallels between Titus 1:6-7 and 1 Tim 3:1-7.
  4. Philippians 1:2 tn Grk “Grace to you and peace.”
  5. Philippians 1:3 tn This could also be translated “for your every remembrance of me.” See discussion below.
  6. Philippians 1:5 sn Your participation (Grk “fellowship”) could refer to Paul rejoicing because of the Philippian converts’ “fellowship” in the gospel along with him, but it is more likely that this refers to their active “participation” with him in the gospel by means of the financial support they sent to Paul on more than one occasion, discussed later in this letter (4:10-19, esp. 4:15-16).
  7. Philippians 1:5 tn Several alternatives for translating vv. 3-5 are possible: (1) “I thank my God every time I remember you, yes, always in my every prayer for all of you. I pray with joy because of your participation…” (see NAB; also M. Silva, Philippians [BECNT], 43-44; G. D. Fee, Philippians [NICNT], 76-80); (2) “I thank my God because of your every remembrance of me. Always in my every prayer for all of you I pray with joy. [I am grateful] for your participation…” (see Moffatt; also P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 58-61). Option (1) is quite similar to the translation above, but sees v. 4a as more or less parenthetical. Option (2) is significantly different in that Paul thanks God because the Philippians remember him rather than when he remembers them.
  8. Philippians 1:6 tn Grk “since I am sure of this very thing.” The verse begins with an adverbial participle that is dependent on the main verb in v. 3 (“I thank”). Paul here gives one reason for his thankfulness.
  9. Philippians 1:6 tn The referent is clearly God from the overall context of the paragraph and the mention of “the day of Christ Jesus” at the end, which would be redundant if Christ were referred to here.
  10. Philippians 1:6 tn Or “among.”
  11. Philippians 1:6 tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text but has been supplied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  12. Philippians 1:7 tn Grk “Just as.” The sense here is probably, “So I give thanks (v. 3) just as it is right for me…”
  13. Philippians 1:7 tn Or possibly “because you have me in your heart.”
  14. Philippians 1:7 tn Grk “in my bonds.” The meaning “imprisonment” derives from a figurative extension of the literal meaning (“bonds,” “fetters,” “chains”), L&N 37.115.
  15. Philippians 1:7 tn The word “God’s” is supplied from the context (v. 2) to clarify the meaning.
  16. Philippians 1:12 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).
  17. Philippians 1:12 tn Grk “for the advance of the gospel.” The genitive εὐαγγελίου (euangeliou) is taken as objective.
  18. Philippians 1:13 tn Grk “so that the whole imperial guard.” The ὥστε (hōste) clause that begins v. 13 indicates two results of the spread of the gospel: Outsiders know why Paul is imprisoned (v. 13) and believers are emboldened by his imprisonment (v. 14).
  19. Philippians 1:13 sn The whole imperial guard (Grk “praetorium”) can refer to the elite troops stationed in Rome or the headquarters of administrators in the provinces (cf. Matt 27:27; Mark 15:16; John 18:28, 33; 19:9; Acts 23:35). In either case a metonymy is involved, with the place (the praetorium) put for those (soldiers or government officials) who were connected with it or stationed in it.
  20. Philippians 1:13 tn Grk “it has become known by the whole imperial guard and all the rest.”
  21. Philippians 1:13 tn Grk “my bonds [are].”
  22. Philippians 1:14 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.
  23. Philippians 1:14 tn Or “most of the brothers and sisters in the Lord, having confidence.”
  24. Philippians 1:14 tn Grk “even more so.”
  25. Philippians 1:14 tc A number of significant mss have “of God” after “word.” Although τοῦ θεοῦ (tou theou) is amply supported in the Alexandrian and Western witnesses (א A B [D*] P Ψ 048vid 075 0278 33 81 1175 1241 2464 al lat co), the omission is difficult to explain as either an intentional deletion or unintentional oversight. To be sure, the pedigree of the witnesses is not nearly as great for the shorter reading (P46 D2 K 1505 1739 1881 M), but it explains well the rise of the other reading. Further, it explains the rise of κυρίου (kuriou, “of the Lord”), the reading of F and G (for if these mss had followed a Vorlage with τοῦ θεοῦ, κυρίου would not have been expected). Further, τοῦ θεοῦ is in different locations among the mss; such dislocations are usually signs of scribal additions to the text. Thus, the Byzantine text and a few other witnesses here have the superior reading, and it should be accepted as the Ausgangstext.
  26. Philippians 1:17 tn Grk “thinking to cause trouble to my bonds.”
  27. Philippians 1:18 tn Or “But.” The conjunction ἀλλά (alla) may be emphatic or contrastive. If the former, the idea may be that Paul will continue rejoicing because of the proclamation of the gospel or because of his imminent release from prison (v. 19); if the latter, Paul is now turning his attention solely to this second reason to rejoice, viz., that he will soon be released from prison. In this latter view the clause should be translated, “But I will also rejoice since I know…”
  28. Philippians 1:19 tn Or “salvation.” Deliverance from prison (i.e., release) is probably what Paul has in view here, although some take this as a reference to his ultimate release from the body, i.e., dying and being with Christ (v. 23).sn The phrase this will turn out for my deliverance may be an echo of Job 13:16 (LXX).
  29. Philippians 1:20 tn Grk “according to my eager expectation and hope.” The κατά (kata) phrase is taken as governing the following ὅτι (hoti) clause (“that I will not be ashamed…”); the idea could be expressed more verbally as “I confidently hope that I will not be ashamed…”
  30. Philippians 1:20 tn Or possibly, “be intimidated, be put to shame.”
  31. Philippians 1:20 tn Grk “whether by life or by death.”
  32. Philippians 1:22 tn Grk “flesh.”
  33. Philippians 1:22 tn Grk “fruit of work”; the genitive ἔργου (ergou) is taken as an attributed genitive in which the head noun, καρπός (karpos), functions attributively (cf. ExSyn 89-91).
  34. Philippians 1:22 tn Grk “what I shall prefer.” The Greek verb αἱρέω (haireō) could also mean “choose,” but in this context such a translation is problematic for it suggests that Paul could perhaps choose suicide (cf. L&N 30.86).sn I don’t know what I prefer. Paul is here struggling with what would be most beneficial for both him and the church. He resolves this issue in vv. 24-25.
  35. Philippians 1:23 tn Grk “I am hard-pressed between the two.” Cf. L&N 30.18.
  36. Philippians 1:24 tn Grk “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.”
  37. Philippians 1:24 tn Grk “the flesh.”
  38. Philippians 1:25 tn Grk “for your progress.”
  39. Philippians 1:25 sn Paul’s confidence in his release from prison (I know that I will remain and continue with all of you) implies that this Roman imprisonment did not end in his death. Hence, there is the likelihood that he experienced a second Roman imprisonment later on (since the belief of the early church was that Paul died under Nero in Rome). If so, then the pastoral letters (1-2 Tim, Titus) could well fit into a life of Paul that goes beyond any descriptions in the book of Acts (which ends with Paul’s first Roman imprisonment). Some have argued that the pastorals cannot be genuine because they cannot fit into the history of Acts. But this view presupposes that Paul’s first Roman imprisonment was also his last.
  40. Philippians 1:26 tn Grk “your boasting may overflow in Christ Jesus because of me,” or possibly, “your boasting in me may overflow in Christ Jesus.” BDAG 536 s.v. καύχημα 1 translates the phrase τὸ καύχημα ὑμῶν (to kauchēma humōn) in Phil 1:26 as “what you can be proud of.”
  41. Philippians 1:26 tn Grk “through my coming again to you.”
  42. Philippians 1:27 tn Grk “live as citizens.” The verb πολιτεύεσθε (politeuesthe) connotes the life of a freeman in a free Roman colony.sn Conduct yourselves (Grk “live your lives as citizens”). The Philippians lived in a free Roman city, and thus understood from their own experience what it meant to live as citizens. Paul is here picking up on that motif and elevating it to the citizenship of heaven. Cf. 3:20 (our citizenship is in heaven).
  43. Philippians 1:27 tn Grk “the things concerning you, [namely,] that.” The ὅτι (hoti) clause is appositional to τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν (ta peri humōn) and therefore “the things concerning you” was not translated.
  44. Philippians 1:27 tn The phrase “the faith of the gospel” could mean one of three things: “the faith that is the gospel” (genitive of apposition), “the faith that originates from the gospel” (genitive of source), or “faith in the gospel” (objective genitive).
  45. Philippians 1:28 tn Grk “which is,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 27.sn The antecedent of the pronoun This is conceptual, most likely referring to the Philippian Christians standing firm for the gospel. Thus, their stand for the gospel is the dual sign of their opponents’ destruction and of their own salvation.
  46. Philippians 1:28 tn Grk “to them.” sn Paul uses the dative “to them” (translated here as their) to describe the coming destruction of the gospel’s enemies, but the genitive “your” to describe the believers’ coming salvation. The dative accents what will happen to the enemies (called a dative of disadvantage [see ExSyn 143-44]), while the genitive accents what the believers will possess (and, in fact, do already possess, as v. 29 makes clear).
  47. Philippians 1:28 tn Grk “this.” The pronoun refers back to “a sign”; thus these words have been repeated for clarity.
  48. Philippians 1:29 tn Grk “For that which is on behalf of Christ has been granted to you—namely, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.” The infinitive phrases are epexegetical to the subject, τὸ ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ (to huper Christou), which has the force of “the on-behalf-of-Christ thing,” or “the thing on behalf of Christ.” To translate this in English requires a different idiom.
  49. Philippians 1:30 tn Grk “having,” most likely as an instrumental participle. Thus their present struggle is evidence that they have received the gift of suffering.
  50. Philippians 1:30 tn Grk “that you saw in me and now hear [to be] in me.”
Ezekiel 40

Vision of the New Temple

40 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city[a] was struck down, on this very day,[b] the hand[c] of the Lord was on me, and he brought me there.[d] 2 By divine visions[e] he brought me to the land of Israel and placed me on a very high mountain,[f] and on it was a structure like a city, to the south. 3 When he brought me there, I saw[g] a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring stick in his hand. He was standing in the gateway. 4 The man said to me, “Son of man, watch closely, listen carefully, and pay attention[h] to everything I show you, for you have been brought here so that I can show it to you.[i] Tell the house of Israel everything you see.”

5 I saw[j] a wall all around the outside of the temple.[k] In the man’s hand was a measuring stick 10½ feet[l] long. He measured the thickness of the wall[m] as 10½ feet,[n] and its height as 10½ feet. 6 Then he went to the gate facing east. He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate as 10½ feet deep.[o] 7 The alcoves were 10½ feet long and 10½ feet wide; between the alcoves were 8¾ feet.[p] The threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate facing inward was 10½ feet. 8 Then he measured the porch of the gate facing inward as 10½ feet. 9 He measured the porch of the gate as 14 feet,[q] and its jambs as 3½ feet;[r] the porch of the gate faced inward. 10 There were three alcoves on each side of the east gate; the three had the same measurement, and the jambs on either side had the same measurement.[s] 11 He measured the width of the entrance of the gateway as 17½ feet,[t] and the length of the gateway as 22¾ feet.[u] 12 There was a barrier in front of the alcoves, 1¾ feet[v] on either side; the alcoves were 10½ feet[w] on either side. 13 He measured the gateway from the roof of one alcove to the roof of the other, a width of 43¾ feet[x] from one entrance to the opposite one. 14 He measured[y] the porch[z] at 105 feet[aa] high;[ab] the gateway went all around to the jamb of the courtyard. 15 From the front of the entrance gate to the porch of the inner gate was 87½ feet.[ac] 16 There were closed windows toward the alcoves and toward their jambs within the gate all around, and likewise for the porches. There were windows all around the inside, and on each jamb were decorative palm trees.[ad]

17 Then he brought me to the outer court. I saw[ae] chambers there and a pavement made for the court all around; thirty chambers faced the pavement. 18 The pavement was beside the gates, corresponding to the length of the gates; this was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the width from before the lower gate to the front of the exterior of the inner court as 175 feet[af] on the east and on the north.

20 He measured the length and width of the gate of the outer court that faces north. 21 Its alcoves, three on each side, and its jambs and porches had the same measurement as the first gate; 87½ feet[ag] long and 43¾ feet[ah] wide. 22 Its windows, its porches, and its decorative palm trees had the same measurement as the gate that faced east. Seven steps led up to it, and its porch was in front of them. 23 Opposite the gate on the north and the east was a gate of the inner court; he measured the distance from gate to gate at 175 feet.[ai]

24 Then he led me toward the south. I saw[aj] a gate on the south. He measured its jambs and its porches; they had the same dimensions as the others. 25 There were windows all around it and its porches, like the windows of the others;[ak] 87½ feet[al] long and 43¾ feet[am] wide. 26 There were seven steps going up to it; its porches were in front of them. It had decorative palm trees on its jambs, one on either side. 27 The inner court had a gate toward the south; he measured it from gate to gate toward the south as 175 feet.[an]

28 Then he brought me to the inner court by the south gate. He measured the south gate; it had the same dimensions as the others. 29 Its alcoves, its jambs, and its porches had the same dimensions as the others, and there were windows all around it and its porches; its length was 87½ feet[ao] and its width 43¾ feet.[ap] 30 There were porches all around, 43¾ feet[aq] long and 8¾ feet[ar] wide. 31 Its porches faced the outer court, and decorative palm trees were on its jambs, and its stairway had eight steps.

32 Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side. He measured the gate; it had the same dimensions as the others. 33 Its alcoves, its jambs, and its porches had the same dimensions as the others, and there were windows all around it and its porches; its length was 87½ feet[as] and its width 43¾ feet.[at] 34 Its porches faced the outer court, it had decorative palm trees on its jambs, and its stairway had eight steps.

35 Then he brought me to the north gate, and he measured it; it had the same dimensions as the others— 36 its alcoves, its jambs, and its porches. It had windows all around it; its length was 87½ feet[au] and its width 43¾ feet.[av] 37 Its jambs[aw] faced the outer court, and it had decorative palm trees on its jambs on either side, and its stairway had eight steps.

38 There was a chamber with its door by the porch of the gate;[ax] there they washed the burnt offering. 39 In the porch of the gate were two tables on either side on which to slaughter the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering. 40 On the outside of the porch as one goes up at the entrance of the north gate were two tables, and on the other side of the porch of the gate were two tables. 41 Four tables were on each side of the gate, eight tables on which the sacrifices were to be slaughtered. 42 The four tables for the burnt offering were of carved stone, 32 inches[ay] long, 32 inches[az] wide, and 21 inches[ba] high. They would put the instruments that they used to slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice on them. 43 There were hooks[bb] three inches[bc] long fastened in the house all around, and on the tables was the flesh of the offering.

44 On the outside of the inner gate were chambers for the singers of the inner court, one[bd] at the side of the north gate facing south, and the other at the side of the south[be] gate facing north. 45 He said to me, “This chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple,[bf] 46 and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the descendants of Zadok, from the descendants of Levi, who may approach the Lord to minister to him.” 47 He measured the court as a square 175 feet long and 175 feet wide;[bg] the altar was in front of the temple.

48 Then he brought me to the porch of the temple and measured the jambs of the porch as 8¾ feet[bh] on either side; the width of the gate was 24½ feet,[bi] and the sides[bj] were 5¼ feet[bk] on each side. 49 The length of the porch was 35 feet[bl] and the width 19¼ feet;[bm] steps[bn] led up to it, and there were pillars beside the jambs on either side.

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 40:1 sn That is, Jerusalem.
  2. Ezekiel 40:1 tn April 19, 573 b.c.
  3. Ezekiel 40:1 tn Or “power.” sn Hand in the OT can refer metaphorically to power, authority, or influence. In Ezekiel God’s hand being on the prophet is regularly associated with communication or a vision from God (3:14, 22; 8:1; 37:1; 40:1).
  4. Ezekiel 40:1 sn That is, to the land of Israel (see v. 2).
  5. Ezekiel 40:2 tn The expression introduces the three major visions of Ezekiel (1:1; 8:3; 40:2).
  6. Ezekiel 40:2 tn The reference to a very high mountain is harmonious with Isa 2:2.
  7. Ezekiel 40:3 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  8. Ezekiel 40:4 tn Heb “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and set your mind on.”
  9. Ezekiel 40:4 tn Heb “in order to show (it) to you.”
  10. Ezekiel 40:5 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  11. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “house.”
  12. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “a measuring stick of 6 cubits, [each] a cubit and a handbreadth.” The measuring units here and in the remainder of this section are the Hebrew “long” cubit, consisting of a cubit (about 18 inches or 45 cm) and a handbreadth (about 3 inches or 7.5 cm), for a total of 21 inches (52.5 cm). Therefore the measuring stick in the man’s hand was 10.5 feet (3.15 meters) long. Because modern readers are not familiar with the cubit as a unit of measurement, and due to the additional complication of the “long” cubit as opposed to the regular cubit, all measurements have been converted to American standard feet and inches, with the Hebrew measurements and the metric equivalents given in the notes.
  13. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “building.”
  14. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “one rod [or “reed”]” (also a second time in this verse, twice in v. 6, three times in v. 7, and once in v. 8).
  15. Ezekiel 40:6 tn The Hebrew text adds “the one threshold 10½ feet deep.” This is probably an accidental duplication of what precedes. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:517.
  16. Ezekiel 40:7 tn Heb “5 cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters) according to the “long” cubit. See the note on the first occurrence of the phrase “10½ feet” in v. 5.
  17. Ezekiel 40:9 tn Heb “8 cubits” (i.e., 4.2 meters).
  18. Ezekiel 40:9 tn Heb “2 cubits” (i.e., 1.05 meters).
  19. Ezekiel 40:10 sn The three alcoves are parallel to the city gates found at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer.
  20. Ezekiel 40:11 tn Heb “10 cubits” (i.e., 5.25 meters).
  21. Ezekiel 40:11 tn Heb “13 cubits” (i.e., 6.825 meters).
  22. Ezekiel 40:12 tn Heb “one cubit” (i.e., 52.5 cm).
  23. Ezekiel 40:12 tn Heb “6 cubits” (i.e., 3.15 meters).
  24. Ezekiel 40:13 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  25. Ezekiel 40:14 tn Heb “made.”
  26. Ezekiel 40:14 tc The MT reads “jambs,” which does not make sense in context. Supposing a confusion of י (yod) for ו (vav), the text may be emended to read “porch.” See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:518.
  27. Ezekiel 40:14 tn Heb “60 cubits” (i.e., 31.5 meters).
  28. Ezekiel 40:14 tn The word “high” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for sense.
  29. Ezekiel 40:15 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  30. Ezekiel 40:16 sn Decorative palm trees were also a part of Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs 6:29, 32, 35).
  31. Ezekiel 40:17 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  32. Ezekiel 40:19 tn Heb “100 cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
  33. Ezekiel 40:21 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  34. Ezekiel 40:21 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  35. Ezekiel 40:23 tn Heb “100 cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
  36. Ezekiel 40:24 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  37. Ezekiel 40:25 tn Heb “as these windows.”
  38. Ezekiel 40:25 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  39. Ezekiel 40:25 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  40. Ezekiel 40:27 tn Heb “100 cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
  41. Ezekiel 40:29 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  42. Ezekiel 40:29 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  43. Ezekiel 40:30 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  44. Ezekiel 40:30 tn Heb “5 cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters).
  45. Ezekiel 40:33 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  46. Ezekiel 40:33 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  47. Ezekiel 40:36 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  48. Ezekiel 40:36 tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  49. Ezekiel 40:37 tc The LXX reads “porches.”
  50. Ezekiel 40:38 tc The MT reads “jambs of the gates,” which does not make sense in a context discussing one chamber. The emendation to “porch” is similar to v. 14. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:530.
  51. Ezekiel 40:42 tn Heb “1½ cubits” (i.e., 78.75 cm).
  52. Ezekiel 40:42 tn Heb “1½ cubits” (i.e., 78.75 cm).
  53. Ezekiel 40:42 tn Heb “one cubit” (i.e., 52.5 cm).
  54. Ezekiel 40:43 tc This reading is supported by the Aramaic Targum. The LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac read “shelves” or some type of projection.
  55. Ezekiel 40:43 tn Heb “one handbreadth” (7.5 cm).
  56. Ezekiel 40:44 tn “One” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for clarity in the translation.
  57. Ezekiel 40:44 tc This reading is supported by the LXX; the MT reads “east.”
  58. Ezekiel 40:45 tn Heb “the house.”
  59. Ezekiel 40:47 tn Heb “100 cubits long and 100 cubits wide, a square” (i.e., 52.5 meters by 52.5 meters).
  60. Ezekiel 40:48 tn Heb “5 cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters).
  61. Ezekiel 40:48 tn The LXX reads “14 cubits” (i.e., 7.35 meters). See following note.
  62. Ezekiel 40:48 tc The translation follows the LXX. The MT reads: “the width of the gate was 3 cubits,” the omission due to haplography.tn Or “sidewalls.”
  63. Ezekiel 40:48 tn Heb “3 cubits” (i.e., 1.575 meters).
  64. Ezekiel 40:49 tn Heb “20 cubits” (i.e., 10.5 meters).
  65. Ezekiel 40:49 tn Heb “11 cubits” (i.e., 5.775 meters).
  66. Ezekiel 40:49 tc The LXX reads: “ten steps.”
Psalm 91

Psalm 91[a]

91 As for you, the one who lives[b] in the shelter of the Most High,[c]
and resides in the protective shadow[d] of the Sovereign One[e]—
2 I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold,
my God in whom I trust—
3 he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter[f]
and from the destructive plague.
4 He will shelter you[g] with his wings;[h]
you will find safety under his wings.
His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.[i]
5 You need not fear the terrors of the night,[j]
the arrow that flies by day,
6 the plague that stalks in the darkness,
or the disease that ravages at noon.[k]
7 Though a thousand may fall beside you,
and a multitude on your right side,
it[l] will not reach you.
8 Certainly you will see it with your very own eyes—
you will see the wicked paid back.[m]
9 For you have taken refuge in the Lord,
my shelter, the Most High.
10 No harm will overtake[n] you;
no illness[o] will come near your home.[p]
11 For he will order his angels[q]
to protect you in all you do.[r]
12 They will lift you up in their hands,
so you will not slip and fall on a stone.[s]
13 You will subdue[t] a lion and a snake;[u]
you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.
14 The Lord says,[v]
“Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him;
I will protect him[w] because he is loyal to me.[x]
15 When he calls out to me, I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life,[y]
and will let him see my salvation.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 91:1 sn Psalm 91. In this psalm an individual (perhaps a priest) addresses one who has sought shelter in the Lord and assures him that God will protect him from danger (vv. 1-13). In vv. 14-16 God himself promises to keep his loyal follower safe.
  2. Psalm 91:1 tn Heb “[O] one who lives.”
  3. Psalm 91:1 sn The divine title “Most High” (עֶלְיוֹן ʿelyon) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Pss 7:17; 9:2; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2.
  4. Psalm 91:1 sn The Lord is compared here to a bird who protects its young under the shadow of its wings (see v. 4).
  5. Psalm 91:1 sn The divine name used here is “Shaddai” (שַׁדַּי, shadday; see also Ps 68:14). Shaddai (or El Shaddai) is the Sovereign God of the world who grants life/blesses and kills/judges. In Genesis he blesses the patriarchs with fertility and promises numerous descendants. Outside Genesis he both blesses/protects and takes away life/happiness.
  6. Psalm 91:3 tn The word refers specifically to a fowler (or hunter of birds).
  7. Psalm 91:4 tn Heb “put a cover over you” (see Ps 5:11).
  8. Psalm 91:4 tc The Hebrew text has the singular, but the plural should be read. The final י (yod) of the suffix, which indicates the plural, has dropped off by haplography (note the yod at the beginning of the next word).
  9. Psalm 91:4 tn Traditionally the Hebrew term סֹחֵרָה (sokherah), which occurs only here in the OT, has been understood to refer to a buckler or small shield (see BDB 695 s.v.). But HALOT 750 s.v., on the basis of evidence from the cognate languages, proposes the meaning “wall.”
  10. Psalm 91:5 tn This probably alludes to a sneak attack by enemies in the darkness of night (see Song 3:8).
  11. Psalm 91:6 sn As in Deut 32:23-24, vv. 5-6 closely associate military attack and deadly disease. Perhaps the latter alludes to one of the effects of siege warfare on the population of an entrapped city, which was especially vulnerable to the outbreak of epidemics.
  12. Psalm 91:7 tn Apparently the deadly disease mentioned in v. 6b is the understood subject here.
  13. Psalm 91:8 tn Heb “retribution on the wicked.”
  14. Psalm 91:10 tn Or “confront.”
  15. Psalm 91:10 tn For this sense of the Hebrew term נגע see Ps 38:11.
  16. Psalm 91:10 tn Heb “your tent.”
  17. Psalm 91:11 tn Heb “for his angels he will command concerning you.”
  18. Psalm 91:11 tn Heb “in all your ways.”
  19. Psalm 91:12 tn Heb “so your foot will not strike a stone.”
  20. Psalm 91:13 tn Heb “walk upon.”
  21. Psalm 91:13 tn Or perhaps “cobra” (see Ps 58:4).
  22. Psalm 91:14 tn The words “the Lord says” are supplied in the translation to clarify that the words which follow are the Lord’s oracle of assurance.
  23. Psalm 91:14 tn Or “make him secure” (Heb “set him on high”).
  24. Psalm 91:14 tn Heb “because he knows my name” (see Ps 9:10).
  25. Psalm 91:16 tn Heb “length of days.”
New English Translation (NET)

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