Simple Old Testament commentary written in plain language from the approved commentary material.
Daniel 7:1-28
Daniel saw four beasts rise from the sea. They showed the rise of violent human kingdoms. Then the Ancient of Days sat in judgment. The proud beast was destroyed. In the end, the one like a son of man received an everlasting kingdom, and the holy ones received the kingdom from God.
Exodus 3:1-22
God appears to Moses in a burning bush and calls him from holy ground. He says he has seen Israel’s suffering, heard their cry, and come down to rescue them. God sends Moses to Pharaoh and promises to be with him.
Exodus 12:1-28
The Lord tells Israel how they will be spared from the judgment coming on Egypt. They must kill a lamb, put its blood on the doorframe, and eat the meal in haste with unleavened bread. This becomes a lasting memorial of how the Lord redeemed his people.
Exodus 20:1-21
The Lord gives his commands to Israel after rescuing them from Egypt. He calls for worship of him alone, holy rest, reverent speech, and faithful love toward others. The people fear his presence, and Moses stands near as their mediator.
Ezekiel 32:1-32
God tells Ezekiel to sing a lament over Pharaoh and Egypt. Their power, pride, and terror will end in shame and death. Babylon will be the human instrument, but the Lord brings the judgment. When Egypt falls, the nations will know that he is the Lord.
Genesis 1:1-2:3
God alone made the heavens and the earth. He brought order, life, and good design to what was unformed and empty. He made human beings in his image, male and female, and gave them fruitfulness and rule under him. The passage ends with God blessing and making holy the seventh day.
Genesis 2:4-25
God creates the first man, places him in Eden, and gives him work and a clear command. He then makes the woman as a fitting partner, and marriage is described as one flesh. The passage ends with peace, innocence, and no shame.
Genesis 3:1-24
The serpent questioned God’s word, and the man and woman listened and disobeyed. Their sin brought shame, fear, blame, curse, toil, pain, and death. Yet God also judged the serpent, gave hope through the woman’s offspring, and clothed the pair before sending them out of Eden.
Genesis 4:1-26
Genesis 4 shows how sin spread quickly after the fall. Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord. God accepted Abel and his offering, but not Cain and his offering. Cain became angry, killed his brother, and was judged by God. Yet the Lord also showed mercy. The chapter ends with Seth’s line and with people calling on the name of the Lord again.
Isaiah 7:1-25
In Ahaz’s day, Judah faced a serious threat, but the Lord said the attack would not succeed. God gave the sign of Immanuel to show that he was still with David’s house. Ahaz refused to trust the Lord, and the passage ends with a warning that Assyria would later bring severe judgment on Judah.
Isaiah 9:1-7
God promises light after deep darkness. He will lift up the humbled northern land and bring joy, freedom, and peace. This hope rests on a royal child who will rule David’s throne with justice. His kingdom will last forever because the Lord himself will make it happen.
Isaiah 41:1-29
The Lord calls the nations to listen and defend their case, but their idols cannot speak, save, or tell the future. He shows that he alone rules history, raises rulers, and brings his word to pass. He also assures his chosen servant Israel that he is with them, helping and restoring them.
Jeremiah 31:1-40
The Lord promises to bring his scattered people home and restore them after judgment. He also promises a new covenant. In it, his law will be written on their hearts, and he will forgive their sins and remember them no more. The chapter ends by saying that Israel and Jerusalem will not be wiped out, because the Lord himself has promised their future.
Jonah 1:1-17
The Lord sends Jonah to Nineveh, but Jonah runs away. God sends a storm to stop him and to show his power over the sea, wind, and life. The sailors fear the Lord, and Jonah is swallowed by a great fish.
Jonah 3:1-10
The Lord sends Jonah to Nineveh again. Jonah announces judgment, and the people believe God and humble themselves. When God sees that they have turned from evil and violence, he relents from the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah 4:1-11
Jonah was angry that God spared Nineveh. God used a plant, a worm, and a hot wind to teach him that his pity was too small. The chapter ends by showing that God’s compassion is greater than Jonah wanted. The book ends without recording Jonah’s reply.
Leviticus 1:1-17
The Lord gave Moses regulations for the burnt offering from the Meeting Tent. Israel could bring an offering from the herd, flock, or birds, depending on what they had. The offering had to be flawless and was accepted before the Lord to make atonement on the worshiper’s behalf.
Leviticus 4:1-5:13
Leviticus 4:1-5:13 shows that even unintentional sin is real guilt before the Lord. It gives ordered sacrifices for the high priest, the whole congregation, leaders, and ordinary people. It also covers failure to testify, uncleanness, and careless oaths, with a lower-cost offering for those who are poor.
Leviticus 17:1-16
The Lord told Israel to bring sacrifices only to the tabernacle, not to any place they chose. He also forbade eating blood, because life is in the blood and he had set it apart for atonement. This chapter protects the holiness of worship and the sacredness of life.
Malachi 4:1-6
Malachi ends with both warning and hope. The proud and wicked will be judged on the coming day of the Lord. But those who fear God’s name will be healed and filled with joy. The Lord also calls his people to remember Moses’ law and promises an Elijah-like messenger before that great day.
Proverbs 1:1-7
This opening shows why Proverbs was written. It is meant to shape wise, disciplined, and upright people before God. The book begins with this truth: fearing the LORD is the start of real knowledge.
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom calls out in public and asks people to turn from foolishness and receive correction. Those who refuse her voice will face the ruin they chose. Those who listen will live in safety and be free from fear.
Psalm 1
Psalm 1 sets before us two ways of life. The blessed person turns away from the wicked and delights in the LORD’s instruction. Such a life is steady and fruitful, while the way of the wicked ends in ruin.
Psalm 23
This psalm says the Lord gives, guides, protects, and honors his people. Even in the darkest valley, his presence removes ultimate fear. The psalm ends with confidence that his goodness and faithful love will follow the believer all life long.
Psalm 51
Psalm 51 is David’s confession after serious sin. He asks God for mercy, cleansing, and a new heart. He knows that outward sacrifice is not enough without true repentance. When God restores him, he wants to praise God and help others turn back to him.