Amos6
English Standard Version
1 to those who are at in , and to those who on the of , the men of the of the , to whom the of !
2 over to , and , and from to the ; then to of the . Are you than these ? Or is their than your ,
3O you who the of and near the of ?
4Woe to those who on of and themselves out their , and from the and from the of the ,
5who idle songs to the of the and like for of ,
6who in and themselves with the , but are over the of !
7 they shall be the of those into , and the of those themselves out shall pass .
8The God has by , the Lord, the of : I the of and his , and I will the that it.
9And if in , they shall .
10And when , the one who him for burial, shall take him to the out of the , and shall to him who is parts of the , Is there still anyone with you? he shall , ; and he shall , ! We must not the of the Lord.
11 , the Lord , and the shall be down into , and the into .
12Do on ? Does one there with ? But you have into and the of into —
13you who in , who , Have we not by our own for ourselves?
14 , I will raise you a , O of , the Lord, the of ; and they shall you from to the of the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Amos 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The danger of luxury and false security. (1–7). Punishments of sins. (8–14).
vv1-7
Those are looked upon as doing well for themselves, who do well for their bodies; but we are here told what their ease is, and what their woe is. Here is a description of the pride, security, and sensuality, for which God would reckon. Careless sinners are every where in danger; but those at ease in Zion, who are stupid, vainly confident, and abusing their privileges, are in the greatest danger. Yet many fancy themselves the people of God, who are living in sin, and in conformity to the world. But the examples of others' ruin forbid us to be secure. Those who are set upon their pleasures are commonly careless of the troubles of others, but this is great offence to God. Those who placed their happiness in the pleasures of sense, and set their hearts upon them, shall be deprived of those pleasures. Those who try to put the evil day far from them, find it nearest to them.
vv8-14
How dreadful, how miserable, is the case of those whose eternal ruin the Lord himself has sworn; for he can execute his purpose, and none can alter it! Those hearts are wretchedly hardened that will not be brought to mention God's name, and to worship him, when the hand of God is gone out against them, when sickness and death are in their families. Those that will not be tilled as fields, shall be abandoned as rocks. When our services of God are soured with sin, his providences will justly be made bitter to us. Men should take warning not to harden their hearts, for those who walk in pride, God will destroy.
Key Words
הוֹי: oh!
שַׁאֲנָן: secure; in a bad sense, haughty
צִיּוֹן: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
בָּטַח: figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
הַר: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
שֹׁמְרוֹן: Shomeron, a place in Palestine
נָקַב: to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to specify, designate, libel)
רֵאשִׁית: the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
גּוֹי: a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Amos 6Explicitly names David inventing musical instruments, which Amos's wealthy contemporary targets falsely imitated.
Supported by JFB
Associates instruments of music directly with the name and authority of David.
Supported by JFB
The original heartless feast of Joseph's brothers while he lay in the pit, echoing Joseph's affliction.
Supported by JFB
Jeroboam II restored Israel's border to the entering of Hamath; Amos predicts affliction from that same point.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the foolish claim that prophetic visions are only for times far off.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Speaks of the 'throne of iniquity,' mirroring the 'seat of violence' brought near by Israel.
Supported by JFB
Amos's earlier denunciation of luxurious resting on garments laid to pledge by the altar.
Supported by JFB
Connects to the ivory houses and luxurious beds targeted in Amos's previous judgments.
Supported by JFB
Mentions the 'excellency of Jacob' which God loved, but here abhors due to their corruption.
Supported by JFB
Israel's election as the chief/firstfruits of the nations, which they abused for false security.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Calneh as an ancient, powerful city built by Nimrod, now a warning of ruin.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Assyrian boast over conquered cities, including Calno (Calneh) and Hamath.
Supported by JFB
God profaning His sanctuary, which was the pride and strength ('excellency') of the people.
Supported by JFB
Moses warns of a root bearing gall and wormwood, matching Amos's turned judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Describes judgment springing up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
Supported by Matthew Poole