King James Version

What Does Amos 2:8 Mean?

Amos 2:8 in the King James Version says “And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. the condemned: or, such as have fined, or, mulcted”

Amos 2:8 · KJV

Context

6

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;

7

That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: maid: or, young woman

8

And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. the condemned: or, such as have fined, or, mulcted

9

Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.

10

Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god." This verse exposes hypocritical worship. Wealthy Israelites took poor people's clothes as collateral for loans (explicitly forbidden—Exodus 22:26-27, Deuteronomy 24:12-13 required returning cloaks by night), then used these garments as cushions during temple worship. They drank wine bought with money extracted through unjust fines ("wine of the condemned"). The phrase "in the house of their god" reveals the tragedy: they practiced empty religion while violating covenant law. God despises worship accompanied by injustice (Isaiah 1:11-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). The Reformed doctrine of justification by faith alone doesn't minimize good works—genuine faith necessarily produces love and justice (James 2:14-26, 1 John 3:17-18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel maintained elaborate worship at Bethel, Dan, and other shrines, complete with sacrifices, festivals, and priestly rituals. But this worship was both idolatrous (golden calves) and hypocritical (combined with injustice). Jesus condemned similar hypocrisy in Matthew 23. Paul warned that religious observance without love is worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The prophets consistently teach that God values justice and mercy over ritual (Hosea 6:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does participation in worship while ignoring injustice mock God rather than honor Him?
  2. What modern religious practices might parallel Israel's combination of elaborate worship and economic oppression?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְעַל1 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּגָדִ֤ים2 of 12

“upon clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

חֲבֻלִים֙3 of 12

“laid to pledge”

H2254

to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e., to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of partur

יַטּ֔וּ4 of 12

“And they lay themselves down”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אֵ֖צֶל5 of 12

“by”

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

כָּל6 of 12
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִזְבֵּ֑חַ7 of 12

“every altar”

H4196

an altar

וְיֵ֤ין8 of 12

“the wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

עֲנוּשִׁים֙9 of 12

“of the condemned”

H6064

properly, to urge; by implication, to inflict a penalty, specifically, to fine

יִשְׁתּ֔וּ10 of 12

“and they drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

בֵּ֖ית11 of 12

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃12 of 12

“of their god”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Amos. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Amos 2:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Amos 2:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 24:12-17Exodus 22:26-27Amos 6:61 Corinthians 10:7Hosea 4:8Amos 6:4

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