Bible Commentaries
Amos 7

Verse 1

the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. App-4 .

behold . . . lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

formed = was forming.

grasshoppers = locusts. Compare Nahum 3:17 .

the king's mowings. Exacted by the king from the People (1 Kings 4:7 ; 1 Kings 18:1 ). These are the symbols of the army of Amos 6:14 .

Verse 2

by whom shall Jacob arise? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac and Vulgate, read "who shall raise up Jacob'? "

Jacob. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6 , for the whole nation

Verse 3

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

repented. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:36 ). App-92 . Compare Jonah 3:10 .

Verse 4

called, &c. = was calling for fire, to contend [with Israel].

did eat up a part . would have eaten up the land.

a part. Hebrew. hahelek, with 'eth = the very portion [of the earth given to Israel). Compare Micah 2:4 .

Verse 7

the LORD. One of the 134 passages in which the Sopherim say they altered Jehovah of the primitive text to Adonai ( App-32 ).

made, &c.: i. e [made perpendicular] by a plummet.

plumbline = plummet. Occurs only here.

Verse 8

Amos. Note this personal touch.

set, &c. i.e. measure [the doings of Israel] with the plummet of righteousness

and judgment. Compare 2 Kings 21:12 .Isaiah 28:17 ; Isaiah 34:11 .Lamentations 2:8 , &c.

pass by them = forgive them.

Verse 9

high places. Used for idolatrous altars, &c.

Isaac . . . Israel. Used only by Amos in this sense. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the nation of Israel. Compare Pe. Psalms 105:9 , Psalms 105:10 . Jeremiah 33:26 , &c.

I will rise against, &c. Fulfilled in 2 Kings 15:10 . Jeroboam. Compare Hosea 1:4 .

Verse 10

the priest. The idolatrous priest.

Beth-el. Compare Amos 3:14 ; Amos 4:4 ; Amos 5:5 , Amos 5:6 .

conspired = formed a conspiracy; the calves being connected with Israel's state policy (1 Kings 12:26-33 ).

in the midst, &c. : i.e. openly. Compare Amos 7:8 .

bear = endure.

Verse 11

Jeroboam shall die, &c. This charge was not true. Compare Acts 17:6-7 ; Acts 24:5 . Note what Amaziah omitted to repeat.

Verse 12

into. Judah. Though belonging to Judah (Amos 1:1 ) Amos was a prophet to Israel.

Verse 13

chapel = sanctuary, court: or, palace.

Verse 14

a prophet's son. Prophets were not hereditary as priests were. Compare Hebrews 1:1 .

herdman. See notes on Amos 1:1 ,

gatherer = preparer.

Verse 15

took me: i.e., called me Prophets were called by Jehovah; not born prophets, or made prophets by man. See notes on 1 Samuel 10:5 .Hebrews 1:1 .

as I followed, &c. Compare Psalms 78:70 , Psalms 78:71 .

Verse 16

drop not, the. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:2 ). App-92 . Compare Ezekiel 20:46 ; Ezekiel 20:21 , Ezekiel 20:2 .Micah 2:6 , margin

Verse 17

thus saith the LORD. See note on Amos 1:3 ,

be an harlot : i.e. become a victim to the lust of the invader.

land = soil. Hebrew adamah.

divided , &c.: i e. partitioned.

in a polluted land = on polluted (i e. heathen) soil,

forth of = from upon.