III. Amos 3-6 form a connected series, standing, however, as a natural sequence upon the previous section (Amos 1:2). In the denunciations with which the oracles of Amos open, the last strophe refers to Israel. The same subject is the burden of the following discourses, Amos 3-6, and with searching... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL rather than “house of Israel” is a phrase not so usual in Amos. Hence in many MSS. the latter phrase is substituted. There is, however, significance in the former, as Amos addresses himself to both kingdoms in the phrase “the whole family.” Yet the kingdom of the Ten Tribes seems... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWN. — The knowledge of God is love. There was special knowledge and intimacy between God and Israel. Upon such knowledge followed advantages and privileges innumerable. THEREFORE I WILL... — This may mean, in proportion to your privileges will be your doom — but more probably that this intimacy... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO. — Who are the two here represented? Some commentators say, two prophets; Rosenmüller, “God and the prophet.” But Grotius, Lowth, Henderson, and Pusey refer it, with more reason, to God and Israel, the expression denoting, not merely God’s knowledge of a man, but man’s response to God. His pract... [ Continue Reading ]
LION. — The questions suggest that the prey is being seized. This is intimated by the lion’s roar, the loud roar of the lion in the forest, the growl of the famished young lions in the den. Aben-Ezra thus interprets; but G. Baur thinks that _Caphir_ distinguishes a “hunting lion” from the beast that... [ Continue Reading ]
CAN A BIRD. — Better, _Does the snare rise up from the ground, and take nothing at all?_” E.V. “take up” is due to ambiguity of the Hebrew. The idea is that Israel “like a silly dove” is falling into snares. The snare, even now, may be seen springing from the earth. The armies and politics of the na... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY THE LORD... — In this, and the preceding verse, the future tense should be replaced by a present. Render _doeth nothing,_ and in Amos 3:6 _is a trumpet sounded_... _are not afraid_... _is there evil;_ for the prophet intends to express a continually-recurring fact. The word translated “evil”... [ Continue Reading ]
ROARED. — Comp. the imagery of Amos 1:2, and that of Amos 3:4. The voice of the Lord is so audible, so clearly portending the coming judgment, that universal terror inevitably follows. (Comp. “If these should hold their peace, the stones would cry out.”... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PALACES. — Rather, _on the palaces, i.e.,_ on their roofs in such conspicuous places that the population, high and low, would hear the summons. MOUNTAINS OF SAMARIA. — In the high ground around the city, from which can be observed all that is passing in the metropolis. Foreign people, even P... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW NOT TO DO RIGHT. — Not merely have lost the perception of what is and what is not right, _but_ are indifferent to such distinctions. They know not and care not; the awful state of utter moral impotence, wherein not only the intellectual consciousness, but the impulses to action, are languid or... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ADVERSARY. — This rendering is to be preferred to “affliction” (Chald., Syr.). It is the subject of the following verb “bring down,” Assyria being referred to, though not in express terms. The reading of LXX., “O Tyre, thy land round about thee is desolate,” is incoherent, and confounds _Tzăr_ wi... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKETH OUT... TAKEN OUT. — Should be (as in margin) _delivereth_... _be delivered._ The agricultural image, used by Amos, is very impressive. The shanks and pieces of the ear, worthless portions, saved from the lion’s jaws, represent the remnants of Samaria’s population that shall escape. IN DAMASC... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR YE. — Addressed to the foreign nations Egypt and Philistia referred to in Amos 3:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOUSES. — It is uncertain whether by “winter and summer houses” are meant two classes of royal abodes, or different chambers of the same house (Judges 3:20; Jeremiah 36:22, are compatible with either). “Ivory houses” mean mansions adorned with ivory. For “great houses” should be read _many houses._... [ Continue Reading ]