Bible Commentaries
Amos 9

Verse 1

the LORD. One of the 134 places where the Sepherim say they altered "Jehovah" of the primitive text to "Adonai" ( App-2 ). See App-4 . Here it is combined with 'eth = Jehovah Himself.

upon beside, or by.

the altar. Probably the same altar at Beth-al where Jeroboam had once stood (1 Kings 13:1 ). Compare Amos 7:13 , lintel = capital. Render: "smite the capital, shake the foundations, cut them off [i.e. the pillars] by the head, all of them". and I will slay. This is the signification of the symbolical act. the last of them: i.e. the remnant of the People.

Verse 2

Though they dig, &c. Note the Figure of speech Catabasis (Ap'. 6).

hell. Hebrew. Sheol = The grave. App-35 . Compare Psalms 139:8 , &c,

climb up . Compare Job 20:6 . Jeremiah 51:53 .Obadiah 1:4 .

Verse 4

command the sword. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:33 . Deu 26:25 ). App-92 . Compare Ezekiel 5:12 .

I will set Mine eyes , &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 17:10 ; Leviticus 20:5 ). App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 44:11 .

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . Compare Amos 3:6 .

Verse 5

the Lord GOD , Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah . App-4 . See note on Amos 1:8 . dwell. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads dwelleth". flood. See notes on Amos 8:8 .

Verse 6

stories = chambers above. Compare Psalms 104:3 , Psalms 104:13 ,

troop = band: i.e. the blue vault.

in = over.

calleth . Compare Amos 5:8 . The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . It.

is His name. Ref: to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:3 ). App-92 .

Verse 7

children = sons.

saith the LORD [is] Jehovah's oracle.

brought up Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 13:3 , Exodus 13:9 , Exodus 13:14 , Exodus 13:16 ; Exodus 33:1 .Deuteronomy 5:15 ; Deuteronomy 6:21 , &c.) App-92 .

Caphtor = Crete. Ref, to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 2:23 ). App-92 .

Kir. Supposed to be Lower Mesopotamia.

Verse 8

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos . App-6 .

sinful. Hebrew. chata . App-44 .

earth = ground, or soil. Hebrew adamah.

Verse 9

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

the least grain. Hebrew. tzeror. A usage common to-day with the fellahheen (see James Niel's Palestine Explored, p. 250).

earth. Hebrew Wets. Not the same word as in Amos 9:8 .

Verse 10

sinners. Hebrew. chata , as in Amos 9:8 . prevent = surprise.

Verse 11

In that day. Passing to the subject of the future restoration (see the Structure). Quoted in Acts 15:14-18

of David. Erected on Zion by David (2 Samuel 6:17 . Compare Amos 7:6 ) before the Temple was built on Moriah by Solomon. in Amos 7:7-9 , it was seen to be "out of plumb", therefore on the point of falling. Here it is fallen down: hence the prophecy here given. In Acts 15:0 the time had come, had the People obeyed Peter's call in Amo 3:18-21 . But it was finally rejected (Acts 28:25-28 ), and this prophecy, therefore, yet awaits its fulfilment.

Verse 12

may possess = may take possession of.

Edom. Compare Numbers 24:18 . 2 Samuel 8:14 .

heathen = nations.

which are called, &c.: or, on whom My name is called.

name : i.e. Israel

Verse 13

the plowman , &c. This shows that the fulfilment of this prophecy is yet in abeyance, for these temporal blessings were postponed on the rejection of the call to repentance in Acts 3:18-26 . Compare Act 28:25-58 . Note the reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:5 ). App-92 .

the mountains , &c. Compare Joel 3:18 .

sweet wine = new wine. Hebrew. asis See App-27 .

melt : i.e. dissolve into wine and oil. Figure of speech Hyperbole ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 14

I will bring again. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:5 ). App-92 . Compare Amos 5:11 .Psalms 53:6 . Jeremiah 30:3 , Jeremiah 30:18 ; Jeremiah 31:23 .Ezekiel 16:53 ; Ezekiel 39:25 .Joel 3:1 , Joel 3:2 .

captivity = the captives. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for captives.

they shall build. Compare Isaiah 61:4 ; Isaiah 65:21 .Jeremiah 30:18 ; Jer 30:31 , Jer 30:36-40 . Ezekiel 36:33-36 ; Ezekiel 37:25-28 .

they shall plant. Compare Amos 5:11 .Isaiah 62:8; Isaiah 62:8 Isaiah 62:9 ; Isaiah 65:21 .Ezekiel 28:26 . Hosea 2:21-23 . Joe 8:18 , &c.

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

Verse 15

I will plant. Ref to Pent, (Leviticus 25:18 , Leviticus 25:19 ; Leviticus 26:5 ). App-92 .

their land . Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 13:15 , &c.) App-92 . Compare Isaiah 60:21 .Jeremiah 24:6 ; Jeremiah 32:41 .Ezekiel 34:28 ; Ezekiel 37:25 .Joel 3:20 . Micah 4:4 .

no more be pulled up. Compare Jeremiah 32:41 , margin

which I have given them . This is the ground of' all the blessing. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 32:7 , Numbers 32:9 . Deuteronomy 3:18 ; Deuteronomy 26:15 ; Deuteronomy 28:52 ). App-92 . Compare Joshua 2:6 , Joshua 2:15 ; Joshua 18:3 ; Joshua 23:13 , Joshua 23:15 .Jeremiah 25:5 . The so-called "Priests "Code", according to most modern critics, was compiled by the priests in Babylon, and most of the Pentateuch is "post-exilic" (see Encycl. Brit., eleventh (Cambridge) edition, vol. 3, p. 852, col. I). Yet it was well known to Amos (cent. 7 B.C.) Compare Amos 2:4 , Amos 2:7 , Amos 2:8 , Amos 2:12 ; Amos 4:4 , Amos 4:5 ; Amos 5:12 , Amos 5:21 , Amos 5:22 ; Amos 9:4 , &c.

saith = hath said.