1.
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .
children = sons. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aram, and Septuagint, read "house". Either reading shows that these chapters relate to the twelve-tribed nation (see p. 1206).
I brought up , &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:51 , &c.)
you only have I known, &c. See the Structure above. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:6 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 147:19 , Psalms 147:20 .
earth = soil. Hebrew. addamah.
punish you = visit upon you, as in Amos 3:14 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34 ). App-92 . iniquities. Hebrew. `avah. App-44 .
2.
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
3.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Can two . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (in negative affirmation). App-6 . This is the first of five parables. The answer to each is self-evident,
be agreed = have met together by appointment [of time and (place].
4.
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
Will . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis . App-6 .
forest = thicket.
5.
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
snare = net. Hebrew. phah .
gin = a snare, or trap. Gin is short for the Old French engin, which is from Latin. ingeninm; hence, something ingenious.
6.
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
Shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . trumpet. Hebrew. shophar.
not be afraid = not run together.
evil = calamity; as in Amos 5:13 .Psalms 141:5 . Feb. ra'a'. App-44 . = evil: not moral evil, but evil inflicted in judgment, as in Amos 5:13 .Isaiah 45:7 . Jeremiah 18:11 .Lamentations 3:38 .
and the LORD hath not done it? With the true meaning of "evil" there is no need to do violence to the Hebrew to defend Jehovah's righteous dealings.
done = inflicted.
7.
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Surely = [No:] for. Compare Job 31:18 . Micah 6:4 . The reason follows and is explained.
the Lord GOD. See note on Amos 1:7 .
will do = doeth. Hebrew. 'asah = work, execute (Exodus 12:12 .Numbers 5:30 ; Numbers 33:4 .Deuteronomy 10:18 ; Deuteronomy 33:21 , &c.)
revealeth . As He did to Abraham, His "prophet" (Genesis 20:7 ) in Genesis 18:17 , &c., and has since done by His prophets. Compare Genesis 6:13 .Psalms 25:14 .John 15:15 .
secret secret counsel. Hebrew. sod. Compare Job 15:8 ; Job 29:4 .Proverbs 3:32 .
8.
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
The lion bath roared. Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. App-6 . the Lord GOD hath spoken. Figure of speech Hermeneia. App-6 . Explaining the Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. in the preceding line.
who can but prophesy ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Some modern critics alter the Feb. to "be frightened", not seeing that it is through the prophets that God speaks (Hebrews 1:1 ).
9.
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
palaces . See note on Amos 1:4 .
the oppressed = oppressive acts. Hebrew. 'ashukim = oppressed by violent and forcible exactions. Occurs only here; Job 35:9 ; and Ecclesiastes 4:1 . Reference to Pentateuch Leviticus 19:13 .Deuteronomy 24:14; Deuteronomy 24:14 ).
10.
For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
they know not. Marking the Structure.
right = straight forward. Hebrew. nakah . A rare word. Occurs only in 2 Samuel 15:3 .Proverbs 8:9 ("plain"); Amo 24:26 . Isaiah 26:10 ("uprightness"); Amo 30:10 ("right things"); Amo 57:2 ("uprightness"); Amo 59:14 ("equity").
saith the Lord = [is] Jehovah's oracle.
11.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
thus saith the Lord God. The first of three occurrences of this formula in Amos. See note on Amos 1:3 .
An adversary = An adversary [shall] come. Figure of speech Ellipsis . App-6 . Compare 2 Kings 17:3 , 2Ki 17:6 ; 2 Kings 18:9 , 2 Kings 18:10 , 2 Kings 18:11 .
12.
Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
Thus saith the Lord. See note on Amos 1:3 .
As = Just as. according as.
taketh = rescueth, like a brand plucked from the burning.
a piece = the tip.
in a couch = [in the corner of] a couch: i.e. luxuriously. Compare Amos 6:1-4 . Ellipsis (of Repetition). App-6
13.
Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
the house of Jacob: i.e. the whole of the natural seed. See note on Amos 3:1 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .
saith the Lord God, the God of hosts = [is] the oracle of Adonai, the Elohim of Zebaioth.
14.
That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
in the day that, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34 ). App-92 .
ground = earth. Hebrew. erez .
15.
And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.
winter house. Compare Jeremiah 36:22 .
summer house . Compare Judges 3:20 .
houses of ivory. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6 , for the parts inlaid, paneled, or overlaid with ivory. Compare 1 Kings 22:39 . Psalms 45:8 .
the great = many.