Isa 66:8, Hab 2:3, Act 1:7, Heb 10:37 | JFB | STEP | 8. earth-- rather, to suit the parallelism, "is a country (put for the people in it) brought forth in one day?" [Lowth]. In English Version it means, The earth brings forth its productions gradually, not in one day ( ). at once-- In this case, contrary to the usual growth of the nations by degrees, Israel starts into maturity at once. for-- rather, "is a nation born at once, that Zion has, so soon as she travailed, brought forth?" [Maurer].

‏ Isaiah 66:8

8. earth--rather, to suit the parallelism, "is a country (put for the people in it) brought forth in one day?" [Lowth]. In English Version it means, The earth brings forth its productions gradually, not in one day (Mr 4:28).

at once--In this case, contrary to the usual growth of the nations by degrees, Israel starts into maturity at once.

for--rather, "is a nation born at once, that Zion has, so soon as she travailed, brought forth?" [Maurer].

‏ Habakkuk 2:3

3. for--assigning the cause why it ought to be committed to writing: because its fulfilment belongs to the future.

the vision is yet for an appointed time--(Da 10:14; 11:27, 35). Though the time appointed by God for the fulfilment be yet future, it should be enough for your faith that God hath spoken it (La 3:26).

at the end it shall speak--Maurer translates, "it pants for the end." But the antithesis between, "it shall speak," and "not be silent," makes English Version the better rendering. So the Hebrew is translated in Pr 12:17. Literally, "breathe out words," "break forth as a blast."

though it tarry, wait for it--(Ge 49:18).

‏ Acts 1:7

6-8. wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?--Doubtless their carnal views of Messiah's kingdom had by this time been modified, though how far it is impossible to say. But, as they plainly looked for some restoration of the kingdom to Israel, so they are neither rebuked nor contradicted on this point.

‏ Hebrews 10:37

35-37. Consequent exhortation to confidence and endurance, as Christ is soon coming.

Cast not away--implying that they now have "confidence," and that it will not withdraw of itself, unless they "cast it away" wilfully (compare He 3:14).

which--Greek, "the which": inasmuch as being such as.

hath--present tense: it is as certain as if you had it in your hand (He 10:37). It hath in reversion.

recompense of reward--of grace not of debt: a reward of a kind which no mercenary self-seeker would seek: holiness will be its own reward; self-devoting unselfishness for Christ's sake will be its own rich recompense (see on He 2:2; He 11:26).