About Amos

Amos, a shepherd called to prophesy, denounced social injustice and religious hypocrisy in prosperous Israel.

Author: AmosWritten: c. 760-750 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 14
JusticeSocial RighteousnessJudgmentPrivilege and ResponsibilityDay of the LordRestoration

King James Version

Amos 6

14 verses with commentary

Woe to the Complacent

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! are at: or, are secure chief: or, firstfruits

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KJV Study Commentary

God's woe against complacent elites: 'Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!' The Hebrew 'ha-shan'anim be-Tsiyyon' (those at ease/complacent in Zion) and 'ha-botekim be-har Shomron' (those trusting in mount Samaria) describes false security. Zion (Jerusalem/Judah) and Samaria (capital of Is...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **Trust.—**The word for “trust” is a participle, and we should translate as the parallelism indicates: *the confident* (or *complacent*)* dwellers in the mountain* *of Samaria; i.e.,* the upper luxurious classes, “the chief of the first of nations,” meaning the rulers, to whom Israel, the supreme and highly-favoured nation, comes up for judgment and for guidance in all civil affairs. These are...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. the man--**who had been measuring the buildings (Eze 40:3).

Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great : then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines</strong>—God commands Israel to examine three conquered cities as object lessons. Calneh (Assyrian Kullani) fell to Tiglath-Pileser III around 738 BC. Hamath (Syrian city) was defeated by Assyria circa 720 BC. Gath (Philistine city) had been conquered by Uzziah of Judah (2 Chron...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) The meaning is obscure. Kalneh, the Kalno of Isaiah 10:9, the Assyrian *Kulunu* (comp. Genesis 10:10), is here probably mentioned first because it is most easterly. It is identified by Kiepert with *Holwân,* but its position is uncertain, though generally regarded as lying in the neighbourhood of the Greek Ctesiphon, on the Tigris. Hamath is the ancient Hittite city in the valley of the Oronte...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. the place--**that is, "behold the place of My throne"--the place on which your thoughts have so much dwelt (Is 2:1-3; Jr 3:17; Zec 14:16-20; Mal 3:1). God from the first claimed to be their King politically as well as religiously: and He had resisted their wish to have a human king, as implying a rejection of Him as the proper Head of the state. Even when He yielded to their wish, it was with...
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Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; seat: or, habitation

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Ye that put far away the evil day</strong> (הַמְנַדִּים לְיוֹם רָע, <em>hamenadim l'yom ra</em>)—they mentally distance themselves from coming judgment, assuming it won't arrive. The Hebrew נָדָה (<em>nadah</em>) means 'to remove, put at a distance.' <strong>And cause the seat of violence to come near</strong> (וַתַּגִּישׁוּן שֶׁבֶת חָמָס, <em>vatagishun shevet chamas</em>)—while pushing j...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Far away.**—They choose to think that the day of reckoning is far off, and cling yet closer to their habits of defrauding the poor at the seat of judgment. (Comp. Ezekiel 12:21-28.)

That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; stretch: or, abound with superfluities

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That lie upon beds of ivory</strong> (הַשֹּׁכְבִים עַל־מִטּוֹת שֵׁן, <em>hashochevim al-mitot shen</em>)—ivory-inlaid beds represented extreme luxury in the ancient world. <strong>And stretch themselves upon their couches</strong> (וּסְרֻחִים עַל־עַרְשׂוֹתָם, <em>useruchim al-arsotam</em>)—the verb סָרַח (<em>sarach</em>) implies sprawling indolently. <strong>And eat the lambs out of the f...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Of ivory**—*i.e.*, inlaid with that material.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. carcasses of their kings--**It is supposed that some of their idolatrous kings were buried within the bounds of Solomon's temple [Henderson]. Rather, "the carcasses of their idols," here called "kings," as having had lordship over them in past times (Is 26:13); but henceforth Jehovah, alone their rightful lord, shall be their king, and the idols that had been their "king" would appear but as ...
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That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; chant: or, quaver

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That chant to the sound of the viol</strong> (הַפֹּרְטִים עַל־פִּי הַנָּבֶל, <em>haforetim al-pi hanavel</em>)—פָּרַט (<em>parat</em>) means to improvise or play frivolously. <strong>And invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David</strong> (חָשְׁבוּ לָהֶם כְּלֵי־שִׁיר כְּדָוִיד, <em>chashvu lahem klei-shir k'David</em>)—they compare their frivolous entertainment to David's sacre...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Chant.—**The original Hebrew only occurs in this passage, and is best rendered *prattle,* or *jabber.* The comparison with David is ironical He made these instruments to please the Lord, these princes to please themselves.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. show the house ... that they may be ashamed of their iniquities--**When the spirituality of the Christian scheme is shown to men by the Holy Ghost, it makes them "ashamed of their iniquities."

That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. wine: or, in bowls of wine affliction: Heb. breach

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That drink wine in bowls</strong> (הַשֹּׁתִים בְּמִזְרְקֵי יַיִן, <em>hashotim b'mizrekei yayin</em>)—מִזְרָק (<em>mizrak</em>) typically refers to large ceremonial bowls used in temple service for catching sacrificial blood (Exodus 27:3). Drinking wine from such vessels suggests either mocking sacred objects or consuming alcohol in enormous quantities. <strong>And anoint themselves with t...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Bowls.—**The extent of their potations is indicated by the fact that they drink, not from wine-cups, but from large bowls (in which the wine was probably mixed). The same word is used in Exodus 38:3 to describe the sacrificial basons. **And anoint themselves** . . .—Render, *anoint themselves with the choicest of oils, and are not sick at heart for the ruin of Joseph.* Self-indulgence is ind...
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Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive</strong> (לָכֵן עַתָּה יִגְלוּ בְּרֹאשׁ גֹּלִים, <em>lachen atah yiglu v'rosh golim</em>)—the phrase בְּרֹאשׁ גֹּלִים (<em>v'rosh golim</em>, 'at the head of exiles') means they'll be first deported. The leaders in luxury become leaders in exile. <strong>And the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed</st...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7)* Therefore* (as a punishment for this self-indulgence) *they shall go into captivity at the head of the captives, and the shout of the loungers* (rioting in their banquets) *shall cease.* All their loud merriment will come to a sorry end.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. whole ... most holy--**This superlative, which had been used exclusively of the holy of holies (Ex 26:34), was now to characterize the entire building. This all-pervading sanctity was to be "the law of the (whole) house," as distinguished from the Levitical law, which confined the peculiar sanctity to a single apartment of it.

The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. that: Heb. the fulness thereof

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself</strong> (נִשְׁבַּע אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה בְּנַפְשׁוֹ, <em>nishba Adonai YHWH b'nafsho</em>, literally 'sworn by His soul/life')—when God swears by Himself, the oath is irrevocable (Hebrews 6:13-18). <strong>I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces</strong> (תֹּעֵב אָנֹכִי אֶת־גְּאוֹן יַעֲקֹב וְאַרְמְנֹתָיו שָׂנֵאתִי, <em>toev anochi et-ge'on Ya'ako...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **By himself**.—Literally, *by His soul.* Jehovah swears by His life or soul because He could swear by no greater—the eternal “I Am.” (Comp. the formula of Divine asseveration: “As I live, saith the Lord,” which derives illustration from the custom of swearing by the life of a monarch; Genesis 42:15-16.) With the eternal unchangeable being of the Supreme Monarch stands contrasted “the excellen...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die</strong>—This describes plague or siege warfare's aftermath. Even survivors in a single household will perish. The number 'ten' may reference a עֲשָׂרָה (<em>asarah</em>, 'ten,' a traditional quorum for Jewish prayer), suggesting even complete families or communities won't escape. This verse continues the ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9, 10) **Ten** . . . **uncle**.—In some large house it might be that ten are left remaining, but even these are devoured by the pestilence which hovers in the track of war. Nine have fallen victims. Fathers and brothers are all gone, and the uncle comes in as the funereal burner, to carry out the corpse to the pyre, and finds in the innermost parts of the house the tenth victim of the fell diseas...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD. we: or, they will not, or, have not

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house</strong>—Jewish burial custom involved family members retrieving bodies. דּוֹד (<em>dod</em>, 'uncle') represents extended family obligation. The phrase 'burneth him' (וּמְסָרְפוֹ, <em>um'sarfo</em>) is unusual—Jews typically didn't cremate except in extreme circumstances (plague, war, des...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts. breaches: or, droppings

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts</strong> (כִּי־הִנֵּה יְהוָה מְצַוֶּה וְהִכָּה הַבַּיִת הַגָּדוֹל רְסִיסִים וְהַבַּיִת הַקָּטֹן בְּקִעִים, <em>ki-hineh YHWH m'tzaveh v'hikah habayit hagadol resisim v'habayit hakaton b'qi'im</em>)—both great houses (הַבַּיִת הַגָּדוֹל, <em>habayit hagadol</em>, palaces) and ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Breaches.—**For this read *ruins.* (See end of Note on Amos 6:8.) The overthrow of all classes of the population is here referred to.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen?</strong> (הַיְרֻצוּן בַּסֶּלַע סוּסִים אִם־יַחֲרוֹשׁ בַּבְּקָרִים, <em>hayrutzun basela susim im-yacharosh bab'qarim</em>)—two rhetorical questions about absurdities: horses can't gallop on rocky cliffs; oxen can't plow stone. Yet Israel's behavior is equally absurd: <strong>for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) The questions require a negative answer, and show that the conduct of Israel is as inconsistent and senseless as the supposition involved in the interrogation: that horses should climb steep cliffs, or oxen plough in the rocky gorge. The conception of oppression, luxury, and pride being the forerunners of prosperity and peace is anomalous. The idea is, that that which should have insured the ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought</strong> (הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר, <em>hasemechim l'lo davar</em>, literally 'rejoicing in no-thing, vanity')—they celebrate empty achievements. <strong>Which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?</strong> (הַאֹמְרִים הֲלוֹא בְחָזְקֵנוּ לָקַחְנוּ לָנוּ קַרְנָיִם, <em>ha'om'rim halo v'chozkeinu lakachnu lanu karnayim</em>)—'horns' (קַ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **A thing of nought** refers to the calf-worship, the idol that Israel is glorying and trusting in, the idolatrous travesty of the Eternal that they call “the excellency of Jacob.” (Comp. Amos 6:8, and Amos 8:7.) **Taken to us horns**—*i.e.*, instruments of resistance and aggression, the horn being symbolic of strength (Jeremiah 48:25; Psalm 75:10; Psalm 89:17; Psalm 92:10; 1Samuel 2:10). The...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness. river: or, valley

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel</strong> (כִּי הִנְנִי מֵקִים עֲלֵיכֶם בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹי, <em>ki hin'ni meikim aleichem beit Yisrael goy</em>)—God personally raises up (מֵקִים, <em>meikim</em>) the enemy nation (גּוֹי, <em>goy</em>). <strong>Saith the LORD the God of hosts</strong> confirms divine authority. <strong>And they shall afflict you from ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **From . . . unto.—**The entire limits of the kingdom of Israel after the victories of Jeroboam II. were, according to 2Kings 14:25, identical with the region which is here threatened with invasion, *i.e.,* extending from the mouth of the Orontes valley (comp. Numbers 34:8; Joshua 13:5) to the *Wady el Ahsa,* the southern boundary of Moab. (Comp. Isaiah 15:7, where the Hebrew name appears und...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-27. As to the altar of burnt offering, which was the appointed means of access to God.

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