---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Amos 4"
description: "CHAPTER 4   :-. DENUNCIATION OF
ISRAEL"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4"
---

CHAPTER 4

. DENUNCIATION OF
ISRAEL'S NOBLES
FOR OPPRESSION; AND OF THE
WHOLE NATION
FOR IDOLATRY; AND FOR
THEIR BEING
UNREFORMED EVEN
BY GOD'S JUDGMENTS:
THEREFORE THEY
MUST PREPARE
FOR THE LAST AND
WORST JUDGMENT
OF ALL.

**1. kine of Bashan**—fat and
wanton cattle such as the rich pasture of Bashan (east of Jordan,
between Hermon and Gilead) was famed for ([Deuteronomy 32:14](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/14);
[Psalms 22:12](../../../kjv/psalms/22/12); [Ezekiel 39:18](../../../kjv/ezekiel/39/18)).
Figurative for those luxurious nobles mentioned, [Amos 3:9](../../../kjv/amos/3/9);
[Amos 3:10](../../../kjv/amos/3/10); [Amos 3:12](../../../kjv/amos/3/12);
[Amos 3:15](../../../kjv/amos/3/15). The feminine, *kine,*
or *cows,* not *bulls,* expresses their effeminacy. This
accounts for masculine forms in the *Hebrew* being intermixed
with feminine; the latter being figurative, the former the real
persons meant.
**say to their masters**—that
is, to *their king,* with whom the princes indulged in potations
([Hosea 7:5](../../../kjv/hosea/7/5)), and whom here they
importune for more wine. "Bring" is *singular,* in the
*Hebrew* implying that *one* "master" alone is
meant.

**2. The Lord**—the same *Hebrew*
as "masters" ([Amos 4:1](../../../kjv/amos/4/1)).
Israel's nobles say to their master or lord, Bring us drink: but "the
Lord" of him and them "hath sworn," c.
**by his holiness**—which
binds Him to punish the guilty ([Amos 4:1](../../../kjv/amos/4/1)).
**he will take yon away**—that
is God by the instrumentality of the enemy.
**with hooks**—literally,
"thorns" (compare [Amos 4:1](../../../kjv/amos/4/1)). As fish are taken out of the water by hooks, so the
Israelites are to be taken out of their cities by the enemy ([Amos 4:1](../../../kjv/amos/4/1) compare [Job 41:1](../../../kjv/job/41/1);
[Job 41:2](../../../kjv/job/41/2); [Jeremiah 16:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/16/16);
[Habakkuk 1:15](../../../kjv/habakkuk/1/15)). The image is the more
appropriate, as anciently captives were led by their conquerors by a
hook made to pass through the nose ([Habakkuk 1:15](../../../kjv/habakkuk/1/15)), as is to be seen in the Assyrian remains.

**3. go out at the breaches**—namely,
of the city walls broken by the enemy.
**every*****cow at that
which is*****before her**—figurative for *the once
luxurious nobles* (compare "kine of Bashan," ) shall go out *each one right before her;* not through
the gates, but *each at the breach before him,* not turning to
the right or left, apart from one another.
**ye shall cast*****them*****into the palace**—"them," that is, "your
posterity," from [Amos 4:2](../../../kjv/amos/4/2).
You yourselves shall escape through the breaches, after having cast
your little children into the palace, so as not to see their
destruction, and to escape the more quickly. Rather, "ye shall
cast *yourselves* into the palace," so as to escape from it
out of the city [CALVIN].
The palace, the scene of the princes' riots ([Amos 3:10](../../../kjv/amos/3/10);
[Amos 3:15](../../../kjv/amos/3/15); [Amos 4:1](../../../kjv/amos/4/1)),
is to be the scene of their ignominious flight. Compare in the
similar case of *Jerusalem's* capture, the king's escape by way
of the palace, through a breach in the wall ([Ezekiel 12:5](../../../kjv/ezekiel/12/5);
[Ezekiel 12:12](../../../kjv/ezekiel/12/12)). GESENIUS
translates, "Ye shall be cast (as captives) into the (enemy's)
stronghold"; in this view, the enemy's stronghold is called
"palace," in retributive contrast to the "palaces"
of Israel's nobles, the *store houses* of their *robberies*
([Amos 3:10](../../../kjv/amos/3/10)).

**4.** God gives them up to their
self-willed idolatry, that they may see how unable their idols are to
save them from their coming calamities. So .
**Beth-el**— ().
**Gilgal**— ([Hosea 4:15](../../../kjv/hosea/4/15);
[Hosea 9:15](../../../kjv/hosea/9/15); [Hosea 12:11](../../../kjv/hosea/12/11)).
**sacrifices every morning**—as
commanded in the law ([Numbers 28:3](../../../kjv/numbers/28/3);
[Numbers 28:4](../../../kjv/numbers/28/4)). They imitated the
letter, while violating by calf-worship the spirit, of the Jerusalem
temple-worship.
**after three years**—every
third year; literally, "after three (years of) days" (that
is, the fullest complement of days, or *a year*); "after
three *full* years." Compare [Leviticus 25:20](../../../kjv/leviticus/25/20);
[Judges 17:10](../../../kjv/judges/17/10), and "the days"
for the *years,* [Joel 1:2](../../../kjv/joel/1/2).
So *a month of days* is used for *a full month,* wanting no
day to complete it ([Genesis 29:14](../../../kjv/genesis/29/14),
*Margin;* [Numbers 11:20](../../../kjv/numbers/11/20); [Numbers 11:21](../../../kjv/numbers/11/21)).
The Israelites here also kept to the letter of the law in bringing in
the tithes of their increase every third year ([Deuteronomy 14:28](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/14/28);
[Deuteronomy 26:12](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/26/12)).

**5. offer**—literally, "burn
incense"; that is, "offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with
*burnt incense* and with leavened bread." The frankincense
was laid on the meat offering, and taken by the priest from it to
burn on the altar ([Leviticus 2:1](../../../kjv/leviticus/2/1);
[Leviticus 2:2](../../../kjv/leviticus/2/2); [Leviticus 2:8-11](../../../kjv/leviticus/2/8-11)).
Though *unleavened cakes* were to accompany the peace offering
sacrifice of animals, *leavened bread* was also commanded
([Leviticus 7:12](../../../kjv/leviticus/7/12); [Leviticus 7:13](../../../kjv/leviticus/7/13)),
but not as a "meat offering" ([Leviticus 7:13](../../../kjv/leviticus/7/13)).
**this liketh you**—that
is, this is what ye like.

**6-11.** Jehovah details His
several chastisements inflicted with a view to reclaiming them: but
adds to each the same sad result, "yet have ye not returned unto
Me" ([Isaiah 9:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/13); [Jeremiah 5:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/3);
[Hosea 7:10](../../../kjv/hosea/7/10)); the monotonous
repetition of the same burden marking their pitiable obstinacy.
**cleanness of teeth**—explained
by the parallel, "want of bread." The famine alluded to is
that mentioned in [2 Kings 8:1](../../../kjv/2-kings/8/1)
[GROTIUS]. Where there is
no food to masticate, the teeth are free from uncleanness, but it is
the cleanness of want. Compare [2 Kings 8:1](../../../kjv/2-kings/8/1), "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean." So
spiritually, where all is outwardly smooth and clean, it is often
because there is no solid religion. Better fighting and fears with
real piety, than peace and respectable decorum without spiritual
life.

**7. withholden . . . rain . . . three
months to . . . harvest**—the time when rain was most needed, and
when usually "the latter rain" fell, namely, in spring, the
latter half of February, and the whole of March and April ([Hosea 6:3](../../../kjv/hosea/6/3);
[Joel 2:23](../../../kjv/joel/2/23)). The drought meant is
that mentioned in [1 Kings 17:1](../../../kjv/1-kings/17/1)
[GROTIUS].
**rain upon one city . . . not
. . . upon another**—Any rain that fell was only partial.

**8. three cities wandered**—that
is, *the inhabitants of* three cities (compare ). GROTIUS
explains this verse and [Amos 4:7](../../../kjv/amos/4/7),
"The rain fell on neighboring countries, but not on Israel,
which marked the drought to be, not accidental, but the special
judgment of God." The Israelites were obliged to leave their
cities and homes to seek water at a distance [CALVIN].

**9. blasting**—the blighting
influence of the east wind on the corn ().
**when . . . gardens . . .
increased**—In vain ye multiplied your gardens, &c., for I
destroyed their produce. BOCHART
supports *Margin,* "the *multitude* of your gardens."
**palmer worm**—A species
of *locust* is here meant, hurtful to fruits of trees, not to
herbage or corn. The same east wind which brought the drought,
blasting, and mildew, brought also the locusts into Judea [BOCHART],
([Exodus 10:13](../../../kjv/exodus/10/13)).

**10. pestilence after the manner of
Egypt**—such as I formerly sent on the Egyptians ([Exodus 9:3](../../../kjv/exodus/9/3);
[Exodus 9:8](../../../kjv/exodus/9/8); [Exodus 12:29](../../../kjv/exodus/12/29);
[Deuteronomy 28:27](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/27); [Deuteronomy 28:60](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/60)).
Compare the same phrase, [Deuteronomy 28:60](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/60).
**have taken away your
horses**—literally, "accompanied with the captivity of your
horses"; I have given up your young men to be slain, and their
horses to be taken by the foe (compare [Deuteronomy 28:60](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/60)).
**stink of your camps**—that
is, of your slain men (compare [Isaiah 34:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/3);
[Joel 2:20](../../../kjv/joel/2/20)).
**to come up unto your
nostrils**—The *Hebrew* is more emphatic, "to come up,
*and that* unto your nostrils."

**11. some of you**—some parts of
your territory.
**as God overthrew Sodom**—
([Deuteronomy 29:23](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/29/23); [Isaiah 13:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/19);
[Jeremiah 49:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/49/18); [Jeremiah 50:40](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/40);
[2 Peter 2:6](../../../kjv/2-peter/2/6); [Judges 1:7](../../../kjv/judges/1/7)).
"God" is often repeated in *Hebrew* instead of "*I.*"
The earthquake here apparently alluded to is not that in the reign of
Uzziah, which occurred "two years" later ([Judges 1:7](../../../kjv/judges/1/7)). Traces of earthquakes and volcanic agency abound in
Palestine. The allusion here is to some of the effects of these in
previous times. Compare the prophecy, [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/15-68);
[Amos 4:6-11](../../../kjv/amos/4/6-11) here.
**as a firebrand plucked out of
. . . burning**—(Compare [Isaiah 7:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/7/4);
[Zechariah 3:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/3/2)). The phrase is
proverbial for a narrow escape from utter extinction. Though Israel
revived as a nation under Jeroboam II, it was but for a time, and
that after an almost utter destruction previously ([Zechariah 3:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/3/2)).

**12. Therefore**—as all
chastisements have failed to make thee "return unto Me."
**thus will I do unto thee**—as
I have threatened ([Amos 4:2](../../../kjv/amos/4/2);
[Amos 4:3](../../../kjv/amos/4/3)).
**prepare to meet thy God**—God
is about to inflict the last and worst judgment on thee, the
extinction of thy nationality; consider then what preparation thou
canst make for encountering Him as thy foe ([Jeremiah 46:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/14);
[Luke 14:31](../../../kjv/luke/14/31); [Luke 14:32](../../../kjv/luke/14/32)).
But as that would be madness to think of ([Isaiah 27:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/4);
[Ezekiel 22:14](../../../kjv/ezekiel/22/14); [Hebrews 10:31](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/31)),
see what can be done towards mitigating the severity of the coming
judgment, by penitence ([Isaiah 27:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/5);
[1 Corinthians 11:31](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/11/31)). This latter
exhortation is followed up in [Amos 5:4](../../../kjv/amos/5/4);
[Amos 5:6](../../../kjv/amos/5/6); [Amos 5:8](../../../kjv/amos/5/8);
[Amos 5:14](../../../kjv/amos/5/14); [Amos 5:15](../../../kjv/amos/5/15).

**13.** The God whom Israel is to
"prepare to meet" () is here described in sublime terms.
**wind**—not as the *Margin,*
"spirit." The God with whom thou hast to do is the
Omnipotent Maker of things *seen,* such as the stupendous
mountains, and of things *too subtle* to be seen, though of
powerful agency, as the "wind."
**declareth unto man . . . his
thought**— ([Psalms 139:2](../../../kjv/psalms/139/2)). Ye
think that your secret thoughts escape My cognizance, but I am the
searcher of hearts.
**maketh . . . morning
darkness**— ([Amos 5:8](../../../kjv/amos/5/8);
[Amos 8:9](../../../kjv/amos/8/9)). Both literally turning
the sunshine into darkness, and figuratively turning the prosperity
of the ungodly into sudden adversity ([Psalms 73:12](../../../kjv/psalms/73/12);
[Psalms 73:18](../../../kjv/psalms/73/18); [Psalms 73:19](../../../kjv/psalms/73/19);
compare [Jeremiah 13:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/16)).
**treadeth upon . . . high
places**—God treadeth down the proud of the earth. He subjects to
Him all things however high they be ([Jeremiah 13:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/16)). Compare [Deuteronomy 32:13](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/13);
[Deuteronomy 33:29](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/29), where the same phrase
is used of God's people, elevated by God above every other human
height.

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Amos 4"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Amos 4","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 4   :-. DENUNCIATION OF\nISRAEL'S NOBLES\nFOR OPPRESSION; AND OF THE\nWHOLE NATION\nFOR IDOLATRY; AND FOR\nTHEIR BEING\nUNREFORMED EVEN\nBY GOD'S JUDGMEN","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos","name":"Amos"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/amos/4","name":"4"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```