Amos2
English Standard Version
1Thus the Lord: For of , and for , I will the , because he to the of the of .
2So I will a upon , and it shall the of , and shall amid , amid and the of the ;
3I will the from its , and will all its with him, the Lord.
4Thus the Lord: For of , and for , I will the , because they have the of the Lord, and have not his , but their have led them , those which their .
5So I will a upon , and it shall the of .
6Thus the Lord: For of , and for , I will the , because they the for , and the for a pair of —
7those who the of the into the of the and the of the ; a and his in to the , so my is ;
8they on taken in , and in the of their they the of those who have .
9Yet it was who the them, was like the of the and who was as as the ; I his and his beneath.
10Also it was who brought you out of the of and you in the , to the of the .
11And I some of your for , and some of your for . indeed so, O of ? the Lord.
12But you the wine, and the , , You shall .
13 , will you down in your place, as a of down.
14 shall from the , and the shall his , shall the his ;
15he who the shall , and he who is of shall not himself, shall he the his ;
16and he who is stout of among the shall away in that , the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Amos 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Judgments against Moab and Judah. (1–8). The ingratitude and ruin of Israel. (9–16).
vv1-8
The evil passions of the heart break out in various forms; but the Lord looks to our motives, as well as our conduct. Those that deal cruelly, shall be cruelly dealt with. Other nations were reckoned with for injuries done to men; Judah is reckoned with for dishonour done to God. Judah despised the law of the Lord; and he justly gave them up to strong delusion; nor was it any excuse for their sin, that they were the lies, the idols, after which their fathers walked. The worst abominations and most grievous oppressions have been committed by some of the professed worshippers of the Lord. Such conduct leads many to unbelief and vile idolatry.
vv9-16
We need often to be reminded of the mercies we have received; which add much to the evil of the sins we have committed. They had helps for their souls, which taught them how to make good use of their earthly enjoyments, and were therefore more valuable. Faithful ministers are great blessings to any people; but it is God that raises them up to be so. Sinners' own consciences will witness that he has not been wanting to them in the means of grace. They did what they could to lead believers aside. Satan and his agents are busy to corrupt the minds of young people who look heavenward; they overcome many by drawing them to the love of mirth and pleasure, and into drinking company. Multitudes of young men who bade fair as professors of religion, have erred through strong drink, and have been undone for ever. The Lord complains of sin, especially the sins of his professing people, as a burden to him. And though his long-suffering be tired, his power is not, and so the sinner will find to his cost. When men reject God's word, adding obstinacy to sin, and this becomes the general character of a people, they will be given up to misery, notwithstanding all their boasted power and resources. May we then humble ourselves before the Lord, for all our ingratitude and unfaithfulness.
Key Words
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
שָׁלוֹשׁ: three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פֶּשַׁע: a revolt (national, moral or religious)
מוֹאָב: Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants
אַרְבַּע: four
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שָׂרַף: to be (causatively, set) on fire
שִׂיד: lime (as boiling when slacked)
עֶצֶם: a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
Cross References
Amos 2Directly correlates with laying on clothes laid to pledge, violating the Exodus law to return them.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the divine institution and vows of the Nazarites raised up among their young men.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels 'their lies' as the false, inherited idols after which their fathers walked.
Supported by JFB
Repeats the unique indictment of selling the needy for a pair of shoes/sandals.
Supported by JFB
Highlights the extreme depravity of a man and his father going in to the same maid.
Supported by JFB
Exposes the sin of giving Nazarites wine, directly violating their strict vow of abstinence.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides historical background to the conflict between Moab, Judah, and Edom.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the great stature and height of the Amorites whom God destroyed before Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Details God leading them forty years in the wilderness, contrasting His grace with their rebellion.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the rebellious command to the prophets to 'prophesy not'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels God being 'pressed' or 'wearied' under the burden of His people's sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Employs the same metaphor of total destruction: dried up from roots below to branches/fruit above.
Supported by John Calvin
Echoes the warning that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms that no king or mighty man is saved by physical strength or military host.
Supported by Matthew Poole