INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 6 This chapter seems to be directed both to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the ten tribes of Israel, under the names of Zion and Samaria, and to the principal men in both; who are reproved and threatened for their carnal security and self-confidence, being in no fear... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE TO THEM [THAT ARE] AT EASE IN ZION,.... Or "secure" c there; which was a strong hold, the city of David, the seat of the kings of Judah; where their court was kept, and the princes and chief men resided and thought themselves safe, the place being well fortified with walls, towers, and bulwarks:... [ Continue Reading ]
PASS YE UNTO CALNEH, AND SEE,.... What is become of that city, which was in the land of Shinar, an ancient city, as early as the days of Nimrod, and built by him, and was with others the beginning of his kingdom, Genesis 10:10; it belonged to Babylon, and is by Jarchi here interpreted by it, being p... [ Continue Reading ]
YE THAT PUT FAR AWAY THE EVIL DAY,.... The day of Israel's captivity, threatened by, the Lord, and prophesied of by the prophets; by this prophet, and by Hoshea and others: this they endeavoured to put out of their minds and thoughts, and supposed it to be at a great distance, yea, hoped it never wo... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT LIE UPON BEDS OF IVORY,.... That were made of it, or inlaid with it, or covered with it, as the Targum; nor was it improbable that these were made wholly of ivory, for such beds we read of: Timaeus says r, the Agrigentines had beds entirely made of ivory; and Horace s also speaks of such beds:... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT CHANT TO THE SOUND OF THE VIOL,.... Or psaltery; an instrument of twelve cords, and that gave twelve sounds, as Josephus x says, being stricken with the fingers; and to these sounds these men chanted or quivered, made like sounds with their voice, which they raised higher or lower, according to... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT DRINK WINE IN BOWLS,.... Not in small cups or glasses, but in large bowls, that they might drink freely, even to drunkenness; hence we read of the drunkards of Ephraim, or the ten tribes, Isaiah 28:1; or "drink in bowls of wine"; which is much to the: same sense. The Targum is, "that drink win... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE NOW SHALL THEY GO CAPTIVE WITH THE FIRST THAT GO CAPTIVE,.... That is, these men, who were the first and chief in the nation, who would not believe the day of Israel's captivity would ever come; or, however, had very distant apprehensions of it; but indulged and gratified their several sen... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD HATH SWORN BY HIMSELF,.... Because he could swear by no greater, Hebrews 6:13; which shows the importance and certainty of the thing sworn to, and is as follows: SAITH THE LORD, THE GOD OF HOSTS, I ABHOR THE EXCELLENCY OF JACOB; or, "the pride of Jacob" c; of Israel, of the ten tribes,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS,.... When the city is delivered up and taken: IF THERE REMAIN; who are not carried captive, or destroyed by the sword: TEN MEN IN ONE HOUSE; that is, many, a certain number for an uncertain: THAT THEY SHALL DIE; either with famine, or by the pestilence, though they have... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A MAN'S UNCLE SHALL TAKE HIM UP,.... That is, his father's brother, as Kimchi; or his near kinsman, as the Targum; to whom the right of inheritance belongs, and also the care of his funeral; he shall take up the dead man himself, in order to inter him, there being none to employ in such service;... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMMANDETH,.... Hath determined and ordered the judgment before, and what follows: Kimchi paraphrases it, hath decreed the earthquake, as in Amos 3:15; of which he understands the following: AND HE WILL SMITE THE GREAT HOUSE WITH BREACHES; or "droppings" h; so that the rain sh... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL HORSES RUN UPON THE ROCKS? OR WILL [ONE] PLOUGH [THERE] WITH OXEN?.... Will any man be so weak and foolish, to propose or attempt a race for horses upon rocks, where they and their riders would be in danger of breaking their necks? or would any man act so unwise a part, as to take a yoke of ox... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WHICH REJOICE IN A THING OF NOUGHT,.... In their wealth and riches, which are things that are not, because of the uncertainty of them; and, in comparison of true riches, have no solidity and substance in them, Proverbs 23:5; or in any of the things of this world, the lusts of it, the honours of i... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, BEHOLD, I WILL RAISE UP AGAINST YOU A NATION, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, SAITH THE LORD, THE GOD OF HOSTS,.... The Assyrian nation, under its king, Shalmaneser; who invaded Israel, came up to Samaria, and after a three years' siege took it, and carried Israel captive into foreign lands, 2 Kings 17:5;... [ Continue Reading ]