Amos 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Hear ye this word - Attend to this doleful song which I make for the house of Israel.
Open source ↗ELEGY OVER THE PROSTRATE KINGDOM: RENEWED EXHORTATIONS TO REPENTANCE: GOD DECLARES THAT THE COMING DAY OF JUDGMENT SHALL BE TERRIBLE TO THE SCORNERS WHO DESPISE IT: CEREMONIAL SERVICES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HIM WHERE TRUE PIETY EXISTS NOT: ISRAEL SHALL THEREFORE BE REMOVED FAR EASTWARD. (Amos 5:1-27) lamentation--an elegy for the destruction coming on you. Compare Eze 32:2, "take up," namely, as a mournful burden (Eze 19:1; Eze 27:2).
Open source ↗Hear ye the word which I take up against you,.... And which was not his own word, but the word of the Lord; and which he took up, by his direction as a heavy burden as some prophecies are called, and this was; and which, though against them, a reproof for their sins, and denunciation of punishment for them, yet was to be heard; for every word of God is pure, and to be hearkened to, whether for us or against us; since the whole is profitable, either for doctrine and instruction in righteousness, or for reproof and correction. It may be rendered, "which I take up concerning you", or "over you" (z): even a lamentation, O house of Israel; a mournful ditty, an elegiac song over the house of Israel, now expiring, and as it were dead. This word was like Ezekiel's roll, in which were written "lamentation, and mourning, and woe", Eze 2:10; full of mournful matter, misery, and distress, as follows: (z) "de vobis", Tigurine version, Mercerus, Piscator, Cocceius; "super vos", Pagninus, Montanus; "pro vobis", Vatablus.
Open source ↗The Elegy. - Amo 5:1. "Hear ye this word, which I raise over you; a lamentation, O house of Israel. Amo 5:2. The virgin Israel is fallen; she does not rise up again; cast down upon her soil; no one sets her up. Amo 5:3. For thus saith the Lord Jehovah, The city that goes out by a thousand will retain a hundred, and that which goes out by a hundred will retain ten, for the house of Israel." הדּבר הזּה is still further defined in the relative clause אשׁר וגו as קינה, a mournful song, lit., a lamentation or dirge for one who is dead (cf. Sa2 1:17; Ch2 35:25). אשׁר is a relative pronoun, not a conjunction (for); and qı̄nâh is an explanatory apposition: which I raise or commence as (or "namely") a lamentation. "House of Israel" is synonymous with "house of Joseph" (Amo 5:6), hence Israel of the ten tribes. The lamentation follows in Amo 5:2, showing itself to be a song by the rhythm and by its poetical form. נפל, to fall, denotes a violent death (Sa2 1:19, Sa2 1:25), and is here a figure used to denote the overthrow or destruction of the kingdom. The expression virgin Israel (an epexegetical genitive, not "of Israel") rests upon a poetical personification of the population of a city or of a kingdom, as a daughter, and wherever the further idea of being unconquered is added, as a virgin (see at Isa 23:12). Here, too, the term "virgin" is used to indicate the contrast between the overthrow predicted and the original destination of Israel, as the people of God, to be unconquered by any heathen nation whatever. The second clause of the verse strengthens the first. נטּשׁ, to be stretched out or cast down, describes the fall as a violent overthrow. The third verse does not form part of the lamentation, but gives a brief, cursory vindication of it by the announcement that Israel w…
Open source ↗This chapter begins, as those two next foregoing began, with, Hear this word. Where God has a mouth to speak we must have an ear to hear; it is our duty, it is our interest, yet so stupid are most men that they need to be again and again called upon to hear the word of the Lord, to give audience, to give attention. Hear this word. this convincing awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well as words of comfort and peace; the word that is taken up against us, as well as that which makes for us; for, whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take effect, and not a tittle of it shall fall to the ground. It is the word which I take up - not the prophet only, but the God that sent him. It is the word that the Lord has spoken, Amo 3:1. The word to be heard is a lamentation, a lamentable account of the present calamitous state of the kingdom of Israel, and a lamentable prediction of its utter destruction. Their condition is sad: The virgin of Israel has fallen (Amo 5:2), has come down from what she was; that state, though not pure and chaste as a virgin, yet was beautiful and gay, and had its charms; she looked high herself, and was courted by many as a virgin; but she has fallen into contempt and poverty, and is universally slighted. Nay, and their condition is helpless: She shall no more rise, shall never recover her former dignity again. God had lately begun to cut Israel short (Kg2 10:32), and, because they repented not, it was not long before he cut Israel down. 1. Their princes, that should have helped them up, were disabled: She is forsaken upon her land. Not only those she was in alliance with abroad failed her, but her friends at home deserted her; she would not have been carried captive into a strange land if she had not first been forsaken upon her own l…
Open source ↗5:1-3 The charges against Israel had been filed (3:1-2; 4:1-3); now it was time for judgment. Amos made this point clear by singing a funeral song for Israel, as though the nation were already dead. 5:1 funeral song: The Hebrew word (qinah) describes a special rhythm (3+2 beats) used for funeral dirges (most of the book of Lamentations is written in qinah). The ominous significance was clear: Israel had already died and now awaited burial.
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 נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קִינָה (qîynâh, H7015) — a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) נָטַשׁ (nâṭash, H5203) — properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness)
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} עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Open source ↗דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… בֵּית־אֵל (Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) — Beth-El, a place in Palestine בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גִּלְגָּל (Gilgâl, H1537) — Gilgal, the name of three places in Palestine עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ, H884) — Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
Open source ↗דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) כָּבָה (kâbâh, H3518) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger) בֵּית־אֵל (Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) — Beth-El, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… לַעֲנָה (laʻănâh, H3939) — wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed) יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כִּימָה (Kîymâh, H3598) — a cluster of stars, i.e. the Pleiades כְּסִיל (Kᵉçîyl, H3685) — any notable constellation; specifically Orion (as if a burly one) הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert צַלְמָוֶת (tsalmâveth, H6757) — shade of death, i.e. the grave (figuratively, calamity) בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חָשַׁךְ (châshak, H2821) — to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗בָּלַג (bâlag, H1082) — to break off or loose (in a favorable or unfavorable sense), i.e. desist (from grief) or… שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
Open source ↗שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate תַּעָב (taʻâb, H8581) — to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Open source ↗יַעַן (yaʻan, H3282) — properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate… בָּשַׁס (bâshaç, H1318) — to trample down דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מַשְׂאֵת (masʼêth, H4864) — properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame);… בָּר (bâr, H1250) — grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) גָּזִית (gâzîyth, H1496) — something cut, i.e. dressed stone יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) חֶמֶד (chemed, H2531) — delight כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) כֹּפֶר (kôpher, H3724) — properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
Open source ↗שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent דָּמַם (dâmam, H1826) — to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God 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);… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“As for you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel
Cut off your hair and throw it away. Raise up a lamentation on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.’
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them.
I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness pasture, for they have been scorched so no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they have gone away.
Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:
In that day they will take up a proverb against you and taunt you with this bitter lamentation: ‘We are utterly ruined! He has changed the portion of my people. How He has removed it from me! He has allotted our fields to traitors.’”
Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men— she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples!
“Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD. Open your ears to the word of His mouth. Teach your daughters to wail, and one another to lament.
“Now you, son of man, take up a lament for Tyre.