² sn See Jer 32:40 and the study note there for the nature of this lasting agreement.

¹ sn In this context the Lord’s exploits are military in nature (see vv. 8b-9).

³ tn The three imperfect verbal forms in v. 3 draw attention to the characteristic nature of the activity described.

¹ tn The imperfect verbal forms in vv. 17-18 draw attention to the progressive nature of the action.

² tn Or “thunderbolt,” i.e., lightning. Heb “the roaring of voices/sounds,” which describes the nature of the storm.

² tn The verb means “to rouse oneself to excitement.” It naturally means “to be agitated; to be stirred up.”

¹ sn Offering sacrifices at the high places. The “high places” were places of worship that were naturally or artificially elevated.

⁵ tn The use of נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) for the subject of the verb stresses the personal nature—me.

¹ tn This “all” is a natural hyperbole in the narrative, for it means the large majority of the people.

⁴ tn The disjunctive clause gives important information parenthetical in nature—the promised land was occupied by Canaanites.

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the detailed description of the woman, which is somewhat parenthetical in nature.

² tn Grk “through them.” The implication is that through inheriting and acting on these promises the believers will increasingly become partakers of the divine nature.

¹ tn Grk “who serve in,” referring to the Levitical priests, but focusing on the provisional and typological nature of the tabernacle in which they served.

³ tn The Greek term παθήμασιν (pathēmasin, translated “passions”) refers to strong physical desires, especially of a sexual nature (L&N 25.30).

² tn Or “basic principles,” “elemental things,” or “elemental spirits.” Some interpreters take this as a reference to supernatural powers who controlled nature and/or human fate.

¹ tn Grk “natural person.” Cf. BDAG 1100 s.v. ψυχικός a, “an unspiritual pers., one who merely functions bodily, without being touched by the Spirit of God.”

¹ tn Grk “the uncircumcision by nature.” The word “man” is supplied here to make clear that male circumcision (or uncircumcision) is in view.

³ tn Grk “to send [something] for a ministry,” but today it is common to speak of sending relief for victims of natural disasters.

² tn Grk “heard him,” but since this is direct discourse, it is more natural (and clearer) to specify the referent (Stephen) as “this man.”

¹ tn The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context. Here the work of miracles extends beyond the Twelve for the first time.