King James Version

What Does Amos 4:1 Mean?

Amos 4:1 in the King James Version says “Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, w...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.”

Amos 4:1 · KJV

Context

1

Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

2

The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks .

3

And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD. cast: or, cast away the things of the palace

Read Amos 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amos addresses elite women: "Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink." "Kine of Bashan" compares wealthy women to well-fed cattle from Bashan's fertile region—an insult highlighting their pampered, self-indulgent lifestyle. These women "oppress the poor" and "crush the needy"—actively participating in injustice, not just passively benefiting. The phrase "say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink" depicts demanding luxury while others suffer. Their husbands ("masters") oppressed the poor to fund wives' extravagance. This teaches that injustice isn't only a male problem—women participating in or demanding lifestyle funded by oppression share guilt. The Reformed doctrine of sin affirms all humans, regardless of gender, are fallen and capable of evil.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria, Israel's capital, featured palatial estates and luxury goods (confirmed archaeologically—ivory furniture, fine pottery, imported items). The wealthy lived lavishly while the poor faced debt slavery and exploitation. Amos's ministry targeted this inequality ruthlessly. His denunciation of elite women would have been shocking—prophets typically addressed male rulers and priests, but Amos holds everyone accountable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we participate in or demand lifestyles funded by exploitation of others, even unwittingly?
  2. What does it mean to examine whether our comforts come at others' expense?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
שִׁמְע֞וּ1 of 16

“Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַדָּבָ֣ר2 of 16

“this word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֗ה3 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

פָּר֤וֹת4 of 16

“ye kine”

H6510

a heifer

הַבָּשָׁן֙5 of 16

“of Bashan”

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

אֲשֶׁר֙6 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּהַ֣ר7 of 16

“that are in the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן8 of 16

“of Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

הָעֹשְׁק֣וֹת9 of 16

“which oppress”

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

דַּלִּ֔ים10 of 16

“the poor”

H1800

properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin

הָרֹצְצ֖וֹת11 of 16

“which crush”

H7533

to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively

אֶבְיוֹנִ֑ים12 of 16

“the needy”

H34

destitute

הָאֹמְרֹ֥ת13 of 16

“which say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַאֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֖ם14 of 16

“to their masters”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הָבִ֥יאָה15 of 16

“Bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְנִשְׁתֶּֽה׃16 of 16

“and let us drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

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 4:1 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 4:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 22:12Amos 6:1Ezekiel 39:18Amos 5:11Ecclesiastes 4:1Deuteronomy 15:9-11

Places in This Verse

BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in Amos 4 →

Test Your Knowledge

Amos 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterAmos Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Amos 4 with CommentaryAll Amos ChaptersComplete Amos QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes