Amos 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Against the whole family - That is, all, both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In this all the twelve tribes are included.
Open source ↗GOD'S EXTRAORDINARY LOVE, BEING REPAID BY ISRAEL WITH INGRATITUDE, OF NECESSITY CALLS FOR JUDGMENTS, WHICH THE PROPHETS ANNOUNCE, NOT AT RANDOM, BUT BY GOD'S COMMISSION, WHICH THEY CANNOT BUT FULFIL. THE OPPRESSION PREVALENT IN ISRAEL WILL BRING DOWN RUIN ON ALL SAVE A SMALL REMNANT. (Amo 3:1-15) children of Israel--not merely the ten tribes, but "the whole family brought up from Egypt"; all the descendants of Jacob, including Judah and Benjamin. Compare Jer 8:3, and Mic 2:3, on "family" for the nation However, as the prophecy following refers to the ten tribes, they must be chiefly, if not solely, meant: they were the majority of the nation; and so Amos concedes what they so often boasted, that they were the elect people of God [CALVIN], but implies that this only heightens their sins.
Open source ↗Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel,.... The prophecy against Israel begins in the preceding chapter, where notice is taken of their sins, at least some of them, and of their aggravated circumstances, and sure destruction; and here they are called upon to hearken and listen to what the Lord by his prophet had spoken, and was about to speak unto them; and to "receive" this word, as the Targum; to receive it as the word of God, and not men, and with all humility and reverence; and to take it, and apply it to themselves, to whom it justly belonged; and to make a proper use and improvement of it by humiliation and reformation. A word this was, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt; it was but a family that went down into Egypt, and, though it greatly increased there, it was no more when it was brought up from thence: a family under the peculiar care of Jehovah, as the bringing them out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, when greatly distressed there, abundantly shows; and which was a wonderful blessing and favour; and therefore often mentioned, and led on to many other blessings and mercies: a family which was the Lord's own, and therefore he had a right to chastise and correct them for their sins. It seems by this phrase, "the whole family", as if the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin were included: though the prophecy seems chiefly intended against the ten tribes, which went by the name of Israel, ever since the breach in Rehoboam's time, as distinct from Judah; saying; as follows:
Open source ↗Amo 3:1 and Amo 3:2 contain the introduction and the leading thought of the whole of the prophetic proclamation. Amo 3:1. "Hear this word which Jehovah speaketh concerning you, O sons of Israel, concerning the whole family which I have brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying: Amo 3:2. You only have I acknowledge of all the families of the earth; therefore will I visit all your iniquities upon you." The word of the Lord is addressed to all the family of Israel, which God had brought up out of Egypt, that is to say, to all the twelve tribes of the covenant nation, although in what follows it is the ten tribes of Israel alone who are primarily threatened with the destruction of the kingdom, to indicate at the very outset that Judah might anticipate a similar fate if it did not turn to its God with sincerity. The threat is introduced by the thought that its divine election would not secure the sinful nation against punishment, but that, on the contrary, the relation of grace into which the Lord had entered with Israel demanded the punishment of all evil deeds. This cuts off the root of all false confidence in divine election. "To whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. The greater the measure of grace, the greater also is the punishment if it is neglected or despised." This is the fundamental law of the kingdom of God. ידע does not mean to know, to become acquainted with, or to take knowledge of a person (Hitzig), but acknowledge. Acknowledgment on the part of God is not merely taking notice, but is energetic, embracing man in his inmost being, embracing and penetrating with divine love; so that ידע not only includes the idea of love and care, as in Hos 13:5, but expresses generally the gracious fellowship of the Lord with Israel, as in Gen 18:19, and i…
Open source ↗The scope of these verses is to convince the people of Israel that God had a controversy with them. That which the prophet has to say to them is to let them know that the Lord has something to say against them, Amo 3:1. They were his peculiar people above others, knew his name, and were called by it; nevertheless he had something against them, and they were called to hear what it was, that they might consider what answer they should make, as the prisoner at the bar is told to hearken to his indictment. The children of Israel would not regard the words of counsel and comfort that God had many a time spoken to them, and now they shall be made to hear the word of reproof and threatening that the Lord has spoken against them; for he will act as he has spoken. I. Let them know that the gracious cognizance God has taken of them, and the favours he has bestowed upon them, should not exempt them from the punishment due to them for their sins. Israel is a family that God brought up out of the land of Egypt, (Amo 3:1), and it was no more than a family when it went down thither; thence God delivered it; thence he fetched it to be a family to himself. It is not only the ten tribes, the kingdom of Israel, that must take notice of this, but that of Judah also, for it is spoken against the whole family that God brought up out of Egypt. It is a family that God has bestowed distinguishing favours upon, has owned in a peculiar manner. You only have I known of all the families of the earth. Note, God's church in the world is a family dignified above all the families of the earth. Those that know God are known of him. In Judah is God known, and therefore Judah is more than any people known of God. God has known them, that is, he has chosen them, covenanted with them, and conversed with the…
Open source ↗3:1–5:17 Amos directs the three prophetic messages in this section against Israel, indicting them for a false understanding of their status as God’s chosen people. The messages show a progression toward judgment. 3:1-2 The first message from the Lord warns Israel that its status as God’s elect will not excuse them from God’s judgment. Instead, they will be held to a higher standard than the surrounding nations. 3:1 Amos begins with a reference to God’s goodness to Israel when he rescued them from Egypt (see 2:10).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly בִּלְתִּי (biltîy, H1115) — properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a… יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to…
Open source ↗אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion שָׁאַג (shâʼag, H7580) — to rumble or moan יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) טֶרֶף (ṭereph, H2964) — something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh leaf, prey, food כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound מְעוֹנָה (mᵉʻôwnâh, H4585) — {an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple), men (their home) or animals (their… לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… בִּלְתִּי (biltîy, H1115) — properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a…
Open source ↗צִפּוֹר (tsippôwr, H6833) — a little bird (as hopping) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פַּח (pach, H6341) — a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מוֹקֵשׁ (môwqêsh, H4170) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by…
Open source ↗שׁוֹפָר (shôwphâr, H7782) — a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn תָּקַע (tâqaʻ, H8628) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… סוֹד (çôwd, H5475) — a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy,… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Open source ↗אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion שָׁאַג (shâʼag, H7580) — to rumble or moan לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) אַשְׁדּוֹד (ʼAshdôwd, H795) — Ashdod, a place in Palestine אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מְהוּמָה (mᵉhûwmâh, H4103) — confusion or uproar קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… עָשׁוּק (ʻâshûwq, H6217) — used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application נְכֹחָה (nᵉkôchâh, H5229) — properly, straightforwardness, i.e. (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָצַר (ʼâtsar, H686) — to store up חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) בָּזַז (bâzaz, H962) — to plunder
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold כָּרָע (kârâʻ, H3767) — the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual) בָּדָל (bâdâl, H915) — a part אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עוּד (ʻûwd, H5749) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration);… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar בֵּית־אֵל (Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) — Beth-El, a place in Palestine קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… גָּדַע (gâdaʻ, H1438) — to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, that you might take possession of the land of the Amorite.
Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice?
And wherever I have banished them, the remnant of this evil family will choose death over life,” declares the LORD of Hosts.
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last.
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!
“At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people.”
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
“Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.