Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary

THE BAKER

ILLUSTRATED

BIBLE

BACKGROUND

COMMENTARY

Edited by

J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays

THE BAKER

ILLUSTRATED

BIBLE

HANDBOOK

Edited by

J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott Duvall

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Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Printed in China

or transmied in any form or by any means— for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—

without the prior wrien permission of the publisher. e only exception is brief quotations in

printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data

Names: Hays, J. Daniel, 1953– editor. | Duvall, J. Sco, editor.

Title: e Baker illustrated Bible background commentary / edited by J. Sco Duvall and

J. Daniel Hays.

Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group,

[2020] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identiers: LCCN 2019035113 | ISBN 9780801018374 (cloth)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible—Commentaries.

Classication: LCC BS491.3 .B345 2020 | DDC 220.7—dc23

LC record available at hps://lccn.loc.gov/2019035113

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard

Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), copyright

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.

rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. e “NIV” and “New International Version” are

trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Oce by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible,

Scripture quotations labeled RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright

1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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vii

Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Contributors xii

Introduction J. Daniel Hays and J. Sco Duvall xxiv

e Old Testament

Introduction to the Old Testament J. Daniel Hays

General Background Articles

e Assyrians Gary V. Smith 15

e Babylonians Douglas J. E. Nykolaishen 21

e Canaanites and Canaanite Religion Catherine L. McDowell 27

e Cushites J. Daniel Hays 32

Daily Life in Ancient Israel H. H. Hardy II 37

e Egyptians Safwat Marzouk 42

Musical Instruments in Israel and the Ancient Near East J. Daniel Hays 48

e Persians Mark J. Boda 52

e Philistines Catherine L. McDowell 60

Prophets in the Old Testament World Samuel A. Meier 63

Warfare in the Old Testament Boyd Seevers 65

Women in the Old Testament World Mark W. Chavalas 69

Women’s Fashion in the Old Testament World Marcella Barbosa 74

Commentary

Genesis Tremper Longman III 81

Exodus Eric Alan Mitchell 121

Leviticus R. Dennis Cole 149

Numbers Roy E. Gane 169

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viii

Contents

Deuteronomy Michael A. Grisanti 187

Joshua Boyd Seevers 207

Judges Boyd Seevers 227

Ruth J. Andrew Dearman 251

1–2 Samuel Robert B. Chisholm Jr. 259

1–2 Kings Catherine L. McDowell 293

1–2 Chronicles Samuel A. Meier 329

Ezra–Nehemiah Gregory Goswell 371

Esther Constance E. Clark Gane 391

Job John E. Hartley 401

Psalms Christine Brown Jones 423

Proverbs Richard L. Schultz 459

Ecclesiastes Richard L. Schultz 475

Song of Songs Gordon H. Johnston 485

Isaiah Gary V. Smith 495

Jeremiah Gary E. Yates 535

Lamentations Gary E. Yates 571

Ezekiel Mark F. Rooker 579

Daniel William B. Nelson 607

Hosea J. Andrew Dearman 623

Joel Mark W. Chavalas 633

Amos M. Daniel Carroll R. 637

Obadiah M. Daniel Carroll R. 650

Jonah M. Daniel Carroll R. 653

Micah Stephen G. Dempster 659

Nahum Gordon H. Johnston 667

Habakkuk James K. Bruckner 671

Zephaniah Jason S. DeRouchie 676

Haggai George Athas 680

Zechariah George Athas 685

Malachi William B. Nelson 694

Intertestamental History Larry R. Helyer 699

e New Testament

Introduction to the New Testament J. Sco Duvall

705

General Background Articles

Ancient Leer Writing E. Randolph Richards 716

Athletics in the New Testament World Bernie A. Cueto 718

Banquets and Meals in the Greco- Roman World E. Randolph Richards 720

(Unpublished manuscript—copyright protected Baker Publishing Group)

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ixContents

Baptism in the New Testament World Rodney Reeves 722

e City of Ancient Rome Alan S. Bandy 724

e City of Corinth Mariam Kamell- Kovalishyn and Josiah McDermo 727

e City of Ephesus Mark Wilson 729

Crucixion Joseph R. Dodson 731

Demonization and Exorcism in the Greco- Roman World Bernie A. Cueto 733

e Family of Jesus Andreas J. Köstenberger 735

Honor and Shame in the New Testament World Rodney Reeves 736

Hospitality in the New Testament World Dana M. Harris 738

Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus Mark L. Strauss 740

e Jerusalem Temple Mark L. Strauss 744

Jewish Festivals Andreas J. Köstenberger 747

Jewish Marriage Customs Alan S. Bandy 749

e Jewish Rite of Circumcision Roy E. Ciampa 751

e Jewish Synagogue Mark L. Strauss 753

Magic in the New Testament World Dana M. Harris 756

Messianic Expectations in Jesus’s Day Dana M. Harris 758

Money in the New Testament World E. Randolph Richards 761

New Testament Household Codes Dana M. Harris 763

Pharisees and Sadducees Andreas J. Köstenberger 765

Pontius Pilate Andreas J. Köstenberger 767

Roman Citizenship Alan S. Bandy 769

e Roman Military Alan S. Bandy 771

Roman Roads and Travel Mark Wilson 773

Roman Rule of Judea Mariam Kamell- Kovalishyn and Josiah McDermo 775

e Sabbath Andreas J. Köstenberger 778

Samaritans Andreas J. Köstenberger 780

e Sanhedrin Rodney Reeves 782

Scribes and Teachers of the Law Rodney Reeves 784

e Sea of Galilee and Fishing in the First Century Dana M. Harris 786

Shipping Practices in the First Century E. Randolph Richards 788

Slavery in the New Testament World Dana M. Harris 790

Traditional Greek and Roman Gods Mariam Kamell- Kovalishyn and Josiah

McDermo

792

Commentary

Mahew Rodney Reeves 795

Mark James R. Edwards 857

Luke Craig A. Evans 899

John Andreas J. Köstenberger 953

Acts Mark L. Strauss 1003

(Unpublished manuscript—copyright protected Baker Publishing Group)

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Contents

Romans C. Marvin Pate

1067

1 Corinthians Mark E. Taylor 1093

2 Corinthians George H. Guthrie 1127

Galatians Roy E. Ciampa 1151

Ephesians Osvaldo Padilla 1167

Philippians Osvaldo Padilla 1177

Colossians Osvaldo Padilla 1185

1–2 essalonians Joseph R. Dodson 1191

1–2 Timothy, Titus Ray Van Neste 1205

Philemon Osvaldo Padilla 1222

Hebrews Dana M. Harris 1227

James Mariam Kamell- Kovalishyn and Josiah McDermo 1255

1–2 Peter Kelly D. Liebengood 1265

1–3 John, Jude David L. Turner 1281

Revelation Mark Wilson 1299

Abbreviations 1339

Notes 1348

Image Credits 1422

(Unpublished manuscript—copyright protected Baker Publishing Group)

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676

— Micah

— Nahum

— Habakkuk

—

Zephaniah

— Haggai

— Zechariah

— Malachi

Zephaniah

J S. DR

Introduction. Zephaniah, a contemporary with Jeremiah in his early years

(and perhaps Nahum and Habakkuk), prophesied during the days of King

Josiah of Judah (640–609 BC), prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by the

Babylonians (586 BC). His preaching probably aided with Josiah’s reforms

around 622 BC (2 Kings 23:4–20; 2 Chron. 34:8–35:19). See the introduc-

tion in the commentary on Jeremiah.

Superscription (1:1)

Zephaniah son of Cushi (1:1). Zephaniah’s father is named “Cushi” (“the

Cushite”), connecting him to ancient Cush, the powerful and inuential black

African empire along the Nile River, south of Egypt, in what is modern- day

Sudan (see the article “e Cushites”). Perhaps his father was an ethnic

Cushite, or perhaps he looked like a Cushite (perhaps one of his parents

was a Cushite), or perhaps he was named “Cushi” in honor of the Cushites,

who had been allies with Judah against the Assyrians.

Son of Hezekiah (1:1). Zephaniah’s great- great- grandfather probably was

King Hezekiah, the faithful reformer and thirteenth king of Judah (729–

686 BC) (2 Kings 18–20; Isa. 36–38). Listing four generations of ancestors

was unusual, and this connection to King Hezekiah may be the reason for it.

Cushites from Africa bear-

ing tribute to the Egytian

pharaoh.

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Zephaniah 1:8 677

Josiah (1:1). Josiah was Hezekiah’s great- grandson, a good king who

reigned in Judah from 640 to 609 BC and instituted much- needed religious

reform (2 Kings 22:1–23:20; cf. 2 Chron. 34:3–35:19).

Setting: A Call to Revere God (1:2–18)

I will completely sweep away everything (1:2). is echoes the warning

that God gave to Noah just prior to the ood (Gen. 6:7).

I will cut o every vestige of Baal (1:4). Baal was a prominent Canaanite

god, the god of storms, rain, and thus fertility (see the article “e Canaanites

and Canaanite Religion”).

e pagan priests along with the priests (1:4). is suggests two cor-

rupt groups of apostate priests: illegitimate priests of non- Levitical descent

(1 Kings 12:31–32; 13:33–34) and legitimate but still apostate Levitical

priests.

Who bow in worship on the rooops to the stars in the sky

(1:5). See

comments on Deut. 17:3; 2 Kings 17:16. Astral deities were common in the

ancient Near East. Although strictly forbidden by God (Deut. 4:19; 17:3–7),

they were worshiped both in the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:16)

and in the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 21:3–21; Jer. 8:2; 19:13).

Pledge loyalty to Milcom (1:5). Milcom (or Molech) is an Ammonite

god, oen associated with child sacrice

(Lev. 18:21; 20:2–5). Yet this term could

also be translated as “their king,” in which

case it would be a reference to Baal, the

Canaanite deity mentioned in 1:4.

He has consecrated his guests (1:7).

is likely refers to the Babylonians,

whom the Lord consecrated to destroy

Judah (cf. Isa. 13:3).

e ocials, the king’s sons (1:8).

ese were Judah’s public leaders as well

as members of the royal court.

All who are dressed in foreign cloth-

ing (1:8). is may indicate foreign inu-

ence in the royal court. Some suggest

that it refers to priests who worship for-

eign gods and thus dress in that foreign

tradition.

Mesopotamian king with astral deities above.

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Zephaniah 1:9

678

All who skip over the threshold (1:9). is probably is a reference to a

pagan superstition about the entryway into a temple (1 Sam. 5:3–5).

Fish Gate . . . Second District

(1:10). e Fish Gate was one of the main

gates in Jerusalem, located on the vulnerable northern wall (2 Chron. 33:14;

Neh. 3:3). e Second District (NIV: “New Quarter”) was an expansion of

Jerusalem west of the Temple Mount started during the reign of Hezekiah

(2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron. 34:22).

e Hollow (1:11). e “Hollow,” or “market district” (CSB footnote;

NIV), probably was located in one of the depressions in the Tyropoeon

Valley, between the Temple Mount and the Second District.

Who sele down comfortably (1:12). Literally, the Hebrew phrase is

“who thicken on their dregs.” e idiom refers to wine that would thicken and

become syrupy at the boom of the container (the dregs). e implication

is that the people were indierent and unmoved by the prophetic preaching.

eir silver and their gold (1:18). Sometimes an invading army could

be bought o by paying it tribute of silver and gold (cf. 1 Kings 20:3–4).

But in this case— the invasion by the Lord— that would prove ineective.

Alternatively, oen idols were constructed of silver and gold, and this may

be a metaphorical reference to the ineectiveness of the idols to deliver

Jerusalem.

Seek the Lord Together to Avoid Punishment (2:1–3:7)

Gaza . . . Ashkelon . . . Ashdod . . . Ekron (2:4). ese are four of the ve

main Philistine cities, which the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar destroyed

in 600 BC (see the article “e Philistines”). Gath’s absence from the list

suggests its earlier destruction by the Assyrians (Amos 6:2).

Philistines . . . Ammonites . . . Cushites . . . Assyria

(2:5–15)

. See the

articles “e Philistines”; “e Cushites”; “e Assyrians.” Zephaniah builds

a “compass” of punishment around Judah: the Philistines to the west (2:5–7),

the Moabites and Ammonites to the east (2:8–11), and the imperial powers

of the Cushites and Assyrians to the south and north (2:12–15).

Cherethites (2:5). e Cherethites are closely aliated with the Philistines

(Ezek. 25:16), and are perhaps a subgroup whose origin is associated with

the island of Crete (see the article “e Philistines”).

Moab . . . Ammonites

(2:8)

. Ammon and Moab were two neighboring

countries to the east of Judah (see comments on Gen. 19:37–38).

Like Sodom . . . like Gomorrah (2:9). e destruction of Sodom and

Gomorrah by God, described in Gen. 19:24–25, is used here as a graphic

metaphor for upcoming terrible judgment on Moab and Ammon. e con-

nection between this story and the Moabites and Ammonites is ironic, for

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Zephaniah 3:17 679

Lot, the main character in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, who survives

the judgment, was the progenitor of both the Moabites and Ammonites (Gen.

19:30–38), those who will now be judged as if in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Nineveh (2:13). Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, destroyed by the

Babylonians in 612 BC (see the article “e Assyrians”).

Roaring lions

(3:3). roughout the ancient Near East rulers oen were

depicted as lions in order to emphasize their strength and power (see com-

ments on Nah. 2:11–13). Here, these “lions” are preying on the very people

they were to protect.

Wait on the Lord to Enjoy Satisfying Salvation (3:8–20)

Beyond the rivers of Cush (3:10). is likely refers to the White Nile and

the Blue Nile, the two main tributaries of the Nile River that were associated

with the empire of Cush (cf. Isa 18:1–2), which lay to the south of Egypt

(see the article “e Cushites”).

My holy mountain (3:11). is is a reference to Mount Zion in Jerusalem

(Ps. 121:1–2; 125:1–2; Isa. 2:2).

e L your God is among you, a warrior who saves (3:17). e

image of the Lord as a powerful warrior who ghts and defeats Israel’s en-

emies is common in the OT (e.g., Ps. 24:8; Isa. 42:13; 59:17). Likewise,

throughout the ancient Near East numerous deities were described and

depicted as strong, valiant warriors (see comments on Isa. 59:17).

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