CHAPTER VI _The prophet reproves his people for indulging themselves in_ _luxurious ease, and forming alliances with their powerful_ _idolatrous neighbours_, 1. _He asks if their lands or their lot be better than their_ _own_, 2, _that they should choose to worship the gods of the heathen,_ _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:2. _PASS YE UNTO CALNEH_] This is, says _Calmet_, the Ctesiphon on the river Tigris. _HAMATH_] The same as _Emesa_. _Hamath_ was a city on the Orontes, in Syria. _GATH_] A well-known town, and head of one of the _five_ seignories of the Philistines. BE THEY _BETTER_] You have no more... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:3. _YE THAT PUT FAR AWAY THE EVIL DAY_] Wo to you who will not consider the day of approaching vengeance; but continue in your iniquity, and harden your hearts. Ye bring your iniquities nearer, and still suppose your punishment to be at a greater distance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:4. _THAT LIE UPON BEDS OF IVORY_] The word הוי _hoi, wo_, is understood at the beginning of each of the _first, third, fourth,_ _fifth_, and _sixth_ verses. The _beds_ mentioned here may be either _sofas to recline on at table_, or _beds to sleep on_; and these among the ancients were o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:5. _AND INVENT TO THEMSELVES INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC, LIKE_ _DAVID_] 2 Chronicles 23:5; and _see especially Clarke's note on "_2 Chronicles 29:25_"_. I believe that David was not authorized by the Lord to introduce that multitude of musical instruments into the Divine worship of which we... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:6. _THAT DRINK WINE IN BOWLS_] Perhaps the _costliness_ of the _drinking vessels_, more than the _quantity_ drank, is that which is here reprehended by the prophet. Drinking vessels of the most costly materials, and of the most exquisite workmanship, are still in use; and as to _preciou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:7. _WITH THE FIRST THAT GO CAPTIVE_] The house of _Israel_ shall be carried into captivity _before_ the house of _Judah_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:8. _THE LORD GOD HATH SWORN BY HIMSELF_] בנפשו _benaphsho_, by his soul, his _being, existence_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:9. _TEN MEN - THEY SHALL DIE._] ALL shall be cut off by the sword, or by captivity, or by famine.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:10. _A MAN'S UNCLE SHALL TAKE HIM UP_] Bp. _Newcome_ says, this obscure verse seems to describe the effects of famine and pestilence during the siege of Samaria. The carcass shall be burnt, and the bones removed with no ceremony of funeral rites, and without the assistance of the neares... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:11. _HE WILL SMOTE THE GREAT HOUSE WITH BREACHES_] The great and small shall equally suffer; no distinction shall be made; rich and poor shall fall together; death has received his commission, and he will spare none. _Horace_ has a sentiment precisely like this, Carm. Lib. i., Od. iv.,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:12. _SHALL HORSES RUN UPON THE ROCK_] First, they _could not_ do it, because they were _unshod_; for the shoeing of horses with _iron_ was not then known. Secondly, If they did run on the rock, it would be _useless_ to their owner, and _hurtful_ to themselves. Thirdly, And it would be a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:13. _YE WHICH REJOICE IN A THING OF NAUGHT_] In your idols: for an idol is nothing in the world. _HAVE WE NOT TAKEN TO US HORNS_] We have arrived to power and dignity by our strength. _Horns_ were the symbols of _power_ and _authority_. So _Horace_: - Vina parant animos: tum pauper co... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Amos 6:14. _I WILL RAISE UP AGAINST YOU A NATION_] The _Assyrians_ under _Pul, Tiglath-pileser_, and _Shalmaneser_, who subdued the Israelites at various times, and at last carried them away captive in the days of Hosea, the last king of Israel in Samaria. _FROM THE ENTERING IN OF HAMATH_ (on... [ Continue Reading ]