Amos 7:16
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Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In return for this rebellion against Jehovah, Amos foretels to the priest the punishment which will fall upon him when the judgment shall come upon Israel, meeting his words, "Thou sayst, Thou shalt not prophesy," with the keen retort, "Thus saith Jehovah." הטּיף, to drip, applied to prophesying here and at Mic 2:6, Mic 2:11, and Eze 21:2, Eze 21:7, is taken from Deu 32:2, "My teaching shall drip as the rain," etc. Isaac (yishâq) for Israel, as in Amo 7:9. The punishment is thus described in Amo 7:17 : "Thy wife will be a harlot in the city," i.e., at the taking of the city she will become a harlot through violation. His children would also be slain by the foe, and his landed possession assigned to others, namely, to the fresh settlers in the land. He himself, viz., the priest, would die in an unclean land, that is to say, in the land of the Gentiles, - in other words, would be carried away captive, and that with the whole nation, the carrying away of which is repeated by Amos in the words which the priest had reported to the king (Amo 7:11), as a sign that what he has prophesied will assuredly stand.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. God contending with Israel, by the judgments, but are reprieved, and the judgments turned away at the prayer of Amos (Amo 7:1-6). 2. God's patience is at length worn out by their obstinacy, and they are rejected, and sentenced to utter ruin (Amo 7:7-9). II. Israel contending with God, by the opposition given to his prophet. 1. Amaziah informs against Amos (Amo 7:10, Amo 7:11) and does what he can to rid the country of him as a public nuisance (Amo 7:12, Amo 7:13). 2. Amos justifies himself in what he did as a prophet (Amo 7:14, Amo 7:15) and denounces the judgments of God against Amaziah his prosecutor (Amo 7:16, Amo 7:17); for, when the contest is between God and man, it is easy to foresee, it is very easy to foretel, who will come off with the worst of it.
Open source ↗7:16 against my people (literally against the house of Isaac): Isaac represents all Israel (see also study note on 7:9; cp. 5:6, 15; 6:6).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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“Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel
“Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
But never prophesy at Bethel again, because it is the sanctuary of the king and the temple of the kingdom.”
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.
“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.