Nisbet

Nisbet Alexander, a Scotch divine, noted as a Biblical student and as an Orientalist, flourished in the second half of the 17th century as pastor at Irvine-a town which has been fortunate enough to enjoy the pastoral labors of other Scotch expositors, such as Dickson and Hutcheson. Nisbet died about 1690. He published in 1658 A Brief Exposition of the First and Second Epistles General of Peter. "Succinct and sententious in its character, it is at the same time solid and useful." In 1694 a posthumous work appeared under the title, An Exposition, with Practical Observations upon the Book of Ecclesiastes. The latter is regarded as the most important of his works, and is worthy of consultation, being lucid and judicious. The argument of each chapter is drawn up at length and with some care. Some attention is given to the precise meaning of the more important Hebrew terms used by the sacred writer. His whole tone is devout and practical, such as we might expect from one who, according to the recommendation prefixed to it by Ralph Rogers and J. Spaulding, "by assiduous study of the Scriptures, did so travail in birth towards the forming of Christ in his hearers that he may be said to have died in childbearing to Christ."