Bible Commentaries
Amos 3

Verse 1

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 .

Verse 3

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].

Verse 4

Will . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis . App-6 .

forest = thicket.

Verse 5

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.

Verse 6

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.

Verse 7

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 .

Verse 8

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 ).

Verse 9

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 ).

Verse 10

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.

Verse 11

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 .

Verse 12

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

Verse 13

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.

Verse 14

in the day that, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34 ). App-92 .

ground = earth. Hebrew. erez .

Verse 15

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.