Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Psalms 87:4
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
I will make mention of Rahab, etc.] Not of Rahab the harlot, as Jerom and others of the ancients f1230 interpret it; for the letters of both words are not the same in Hebrew; though mention is made of her in the Gospel, and Gospel times, in the genealogy of Christ, and by two of the apostles, (<400105>Matthew 1:5 <581131>Hebrews 11:31 <590225>James 2:25), but of Egypt; and so the Targum interprets it, which is so called, as it is in (<198910>Psalm 89:10 <235109>Isaiah 51:9) either from the pride of its inhabitants, the word having in it the sense of pride and haughtiness, and these being naturally proud and haughty, as Philo f1231 the Jew observes; or from some city of this name in it; or rather this respects that part of Egypt called Delta, which was in the form of a pear; which “raab”, or “rib”, in the Egyptian language, signifies; in the midst of which was the city of Athribis of Ptolemy f1232, which has its name from hence, and signifies the heart of a pear; and still this part of the country is called Errifia, as Leo Africanus f1233 relates, and is here put for the whole country: the passage respects the conversion of it, and are the words of God foretelling it, and of which mention is made in (<231918>Isaiah 19:18,19,25) and had its accomplishment, at least in part, on the day of Pentecost, (<440210>Acts 2:10) and will be further accomplished in the latter day, when the people that now inhabit that country shall be converted, which will be when the kingdoms of this world become Christ’s: and Babylon; the country of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, of which Babylon was the metropolis: mention is made of the conversion of these in (<231924>Isaiah 19:24,25) and which also was fulfilled, in part, on the day of Pentecost, (<440209>Acts 2:9) and in Babylon there was a church, in the times of the Apostle Peter, (<600513>1 Peter 5:13) these the Lord promises that he would make mention of: to them that know me; says he, that so they might expect their conversion, and take notice of them, and receive them, when converted; or among them that know me f1234; that is, I will make mention of them, as such that know me, and belong to that number; even such that love the Lord, believe in him, own and confess him, and yield obedience to him, and whom he takes into communion and fellowship with himself, and makes his friends, familiars, and acquaintance: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; where also will be many converts, regenerate persons, and such as know the Lord; of which there has been a partial accomplishment already; of Philistia, (see <440840>Acts 8:40), for Azotus, or Ashdod, was a city of the Philistines; and of Tyre, (see <194512>
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