Amos 3:6
Amos 3:6 in Multiple Translations
If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?
If the horn is sounded in the town will the people not be full of fear? will evil come on a town if the Lord has not done it?
When the trumpet sounds in the city, shouldn't the people be alarmed? When a disaster comes to a city, isn't it the Lord who does it?
Or shall a trumpet be blowen in the citie, and the people be not afraide? or shall there be euil in a citie, and the Lord hath not done it?
Is a trumpet blown in a city, And do people not tremble? Is there affliction in a city, And Jehovah hath not done [it]?
Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, and the LORD hasn’t done it?
Shalt a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it ?
Shall the trumpet sound in a city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, which the Lord hath not done?
Similarly, all the people in a city certainly [RHQ] become afraid when they hear someone blowing a trumpet to signal that enemies are attacking. And when a city experiences disaster, Yahweh is the one who has caused it [RHQ].
Berean Amplified Bible — Amos 3:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Amos 3:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
יִתָּקַ֤ע
שׁוֹפָר֙
בְּ/עִ֔יר
וְ/עָ֖ם
לֹ֣א
יֶחֱרָ֑דוּ
אִם
תִּהְיֶ֤ה
רָעָה֙
בְּ/עִ֔יר
וַ/יהוָ֖ה
לֹ֥א
עָשָֽׂה
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
יִתָּקַ֤ע
tâqaʻ
H8628
to blow
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
שׁוֹפָר֙
shôwphâr
H7782
trumpet
N-ms
בְּ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
וְ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Conj | N-ms
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יֶחֱרָ֑דוּ
chârad
H2729
to tremble
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
תִּהְיֶ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
רָעָה֙
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs
בְּ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
וַ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Conj | N-proper
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
עָשָֽׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Amos 3:6
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
יִתָּקַ֤ע
tâqaʻ
H8628
"to blow"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to blow or strike something, like a trumpet or a nail. In the Bible, it is used to describe making a loud noise or driving something into place. The KJV translates it as blow, clap, or strike.
Definition: 1) to blow, clap, strike, sound, thrust, give a blow, blast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to thrust, drive (of weapon) 1a2) to give a blast, give a blow 1a3) to strike or clap hands 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be blown, blast (of horn) 1b2) to strike or pledge oneself
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: blow (a trumpet), cast, clap, fasten, pitch (tent), smite, sound, strike, [idiom] suretiship, thrust. See also: Genesis 31:25; 1 Kings 1:34; Psalms 47:2.
שׁוֹפָר֙
shôwphâr
H7782
"trumpet"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a trumpet or cornet, often made from a ram's horn. It was used in the Bible to signal important events or to sound an alarm, and is still used today in some Jewish traditions.
Definition: horn, ram's horn
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: cornet, trumpet. See also: Exodus 19:16; 1 Chronicles 15:28; Psalms 47:6.
בְּ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
וְ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Conj | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יֶחֱרָ֑דוּ
chârad
H2729
"to tremble"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to tremble with fear or anxiety, like when the Israelites trembled at Mount Sinai. It can also mean to hasten or be careful. In the Bible, it appears in Exodus and other books.
Definition: 1) to tremble, quake, move about, be afraid, be startled, be terrified 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tremble, quake (of a mountain) 1a2) to tremble (of people) 1a3) to be anxiously careful 1a4) to go or come trembling (with prep) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to tremble 1b2) to drive in terror, rout (an army)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: be (make) afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray (away), quake, tremble. See also: Genesis 27:33; Isaiah 17:2; Isaiah 10:29.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תִּהְיֶ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
רָעָה֙
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
בְּ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
וַ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Conj | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
עָשָֽׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Study Notes — Amos 3:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Amos 3:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Amos 3:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 3:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 3:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Amos 3:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 3:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Amos 3:6
- Cambridge Bible on Amos 3:6
- Barnes' Notes on Amos 3:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Amos 3:6
- Sermons on Amos 3:6
Context — Witnesses against Israel
4Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den if he has caught nothing?
5Does a bird land in a snare where no bait has been set? Does a trap spring from the ground when it has nothing to catch?
6If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
7Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. 8The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken— who will not prophesy?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 45:7 | I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things. |
| 2 | Zephaniah 1:16 | a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers. |
| 3 | Isaiah 14:24–27 | The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back? |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 5:11 | Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. |
| 5 | Genesis 50:20 | As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 10:7 | Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 6:1 | “Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin; flee from Jerusalem! Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa; send up a signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms from the north, even great destruction. |
| 8 | Acts 2:23 | He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 4:5 | Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’ |
| 10 | Ezekiel 33:3 | and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people. |
Amos 3:6 Summary
[Amos 3:6 teaches that when God sends a warning or allows a calamity to come, it's like a loud alarm sounding in our lives, getting our attention and prompting us to take action, as seen in Ezekiel 33:3, where the watchman is responsible for warning the people of impending danger. This verse reminds us that God is in control of all things, including difficult circumstances, and that He often uses these events to bring us back to Himself, as stated in 2 Corinthians 1:9, where Paul says 'Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, but this was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead'. By trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, we can find peace and hope even in the midst of calamity, knowing that He is working all things together for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ram's horn in Amos 3:6?
The ram's horn, or shofar, was a common warning signal in ancient Israel, used to alert people of potential danger, as seen in Jeremiah 4:5 and Ezekiel 33:3, and its sounding would indeed cause the people to tremble with fear.
Does God really cause calamity to come to a city?
According to Amos 3:6, yes, God is sovereign over all events, including calamities, as also stated in Isaiah 45:7, where God says 'I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things'.
How can we know if a calamity is from God or not?
The Bible teaches that God is sovereign and in control of all things, including calamities, as seen in Romans 11:36, where it says 'For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things', and while we may not always understand the reasons, we can trust in His goodness and wisdom, as stated in Psalm 119:68.
What is the purpose of God causing calamity to come to a city?
The purpose of God causing calamity can be to bring judgment, as seen in Amos 3:6, or to bring people to repentance, as stated in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God says 'if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God 'sounds the alarm' in my life to get my attention, and how do I respond to those warnings?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and goodness when faced with difficult circumstances or calamities, like the ones mentioned in Amos 3:6?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to 'tremble' before God, recognizing His power and majesty, as the people did when they heard the ram's horn?
- How can I balance the idea of God's sovereignty over calamity with the concept of human responsibility, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19, where Moses says 'This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses'?
Gill's Exposition on Amos 3:6
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city,.... Meaning not any trumpet blown, as the silver trumpet for the gathering of the people to worship, or the jubilee trumpet, which proclaimed liberty to them, or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 3:6
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 3:6
Shall a trumpet be blown, when an alarm is sounded, by which notice is given of danger approaching, of an enemy invading the land, in the city, any city, but particularly in a frontier city, in which were watchmen on the walls and towers to give notice of an enemy, 33:7, and the people not be afraid; affected with the danger, to weigh how great it is, how near it is; whether it be best to prepare to resist it, or to flee from it? Such-like affections doth the alarm of war work in the minds of men ordinarily, and there is good reason for it: but though God hath sounded the alarm, yet brutish, stupid, and sinful Israel fear not, neither consult what is the best course to prevent the danger. Shall there be evil, of affliction and sorrow, such as plague, famine, &c., in a city, or any where else, and the Lord, the eternal, holy, and righteous Governor of all in heaven and on earth, hath not done it, either immediately by his own hand, or mediately by the hands of those he employs? the evil of punishment he will execute and bring upon Israel; he will by the hands of the Assyrians in due time execute it.
Trapp's Commentary on Amos 3:6
Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]?Ver. 6. Shall a trumpet be blown] sc. out of a watch-tower in time of war, to sound an alarm, and to say, Hannibal ad portas, the enemy is at hand, the Philistines are upon you. And the people not be afraid] Or run together to make resistance? Will ye not then tremble at my threats, saith the Lord? "Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob," Jeremiah 5:22 Psalms 114:7. Fear is an affection of the soul, shrinking in itself from some eminent evil. God is the proper object of it, whence he is called fear in the abstract, Psalms 76:11, and those that come on his errand should be received with reverence, yea, "with fear and trembling," as was Titus, 2 Corinthians 7:15, and before him Samuel, by those elders of Bethlehem, 1 Samuel 16:4, as suspecting it was the purpose of some judgment that brought him thither. Comest thou peaceably? said they. It is a good thing to stand in awe of God’ s messengers, and to tremble at his judgments, while they yet hang in the threatenings. It appeareth by this prophet that carnal security was grown epidemical, and had overspread the land, Amos 6:2-3.
Some there were that said, God had not sent the prophets to denounce those evils, but that they had done it of their own volition, as we say. Others doubted the certainty of those evils denounced, Amos 6:3, against whom he here disputeth by these foregoing similitudes; and in the next words plainly asserteth the Divine providence, and the authority of the prophets, God’ s privy councillors. Shall there be evil in a city] Understand it of the evil of punishment. See Lamentations 3:37 Isaiah 45:7 Micah 1:12 Ecclesiastes 7:14 1 Kings 9:9; 1 Kings 21:29. See my treatise called God’ s love-tokens. And the Lord hath not done it?] Although God doth it not but only as it is bonum iustitim, good in order to his glory. That which we are here advertised is that it is not luck and fortune that doth toss and tumble things here below; but that God sits at the stern, and steers the affairs of the world. The Gentiles, indeed, held Fortune as a goddess; representing her by a woman sitting upon a ball, as if the whole world were at her command; having with her a razor, as if she could at her pleasure cut off and end man’ s happiness; bearing in her right hand the stern of a ship, as if she could turn about all things at her pleasure, and in her left hand the horn of abundance, as though all plenty came from her.
Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 3:6
(6, 7) Surely the Lord . . .—In this, and the preceding verse, the future tense should be replaced by a present. Render doeth nothing, and in Amos 3:6 is a trumpet sounded . . . are not afraid . . . is there evil; for the prophet intends to express a continually-recurring fact. The word translated “evil” is commonly, but not universally, used for moral evil. (See Genesis 19:19; Genesis 44:34; Exodus 32:14.) “Evil which is sin the Lord hath not done, evil which is punishment for evil the Lord bringeth.” (Augustine.) Compare, as illustrations of the truth of Amo 3:7, the revelation of the Divine purpose to Noah with reference to the Deluge, to Abraham with respect to Sodom, to Joseph about the famine in Egypt, and to Moses concerning Pharaoh. The prophets of the Lord have given full warning of the judgment of God upon all sin.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Amos 3:6
Verse 6. Shall a trumpet be blown] The sign of alarm and invasion. And the people not be afraid?] Not take the alarm, and provide for their defence and safety? Shall there be evil in a city] Shall there be any public calamity on the wicked, that is not an effect of my displeasure? The word does not mean moral evil, but punishment for sin; calamities falling on the workers of iniquity. Natural evil is the punishment of moral evil: God sends the former when the latter is persisted in.
Cambridge Bible on Amos 3:6
3–8. Such a severe rebuke might provoke contradiction among the prophet’s hearers: he therefore proceeds to indicate the authority upon which it rests, arguing by means of a series of illustrations drawn from the facts of common life, that every event or occurrence in nature implies the operation of some cause adequate to produce it: if, therefore, he has spoken such a word, it is because there has been a sufficient cause impelling him to do so. The questions, it is obvious, require in each case a negative answer.
Barnes' Notes on Amos 3:6
Is there evil in the city and the Lord hath not done it? - Evil is of two sorts, evil of sin, and evil of punishment.
Whedon's Commentary on Amos 3:6
3-8. The prophet’s authority. Amos anticipated the startling effect of his message. Many would consider him a madman, and pay no attention to his words, unless he could convince them that they were indeed a message from Jehovah.
Sermons on Amos 3:6
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David Wilkerson Prophecy - New York 1000 Fires by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the judgment of societies by God, warning of impending chastisement for turning away from righteousness and holiness. The speaker predicts a period of intens |
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The Justice of God—and the Sins of Our Country by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies, in his sermon 'The Justice of God—and the Sins of Our Country,' passionately addresses the sins of the people and the nation, attributing calamities to God's provide |
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On Public Diversions by John Wesley | John Wesley addresses the dangers of public diversions, emphasizing that every calamity serves as a warning from God to prompt repentance and reflection. He argues that all evils o |
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God's Tools and Instruments by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes God's sovereignty over all events, including disasters like the fire that devastated London. He asserts that every judgment, whether it be calamity or pros |
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You Are the One Who Has Done This! by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of silence and humility in the face of affliction, as exemplified by David in Psalm 39:9. He highlights that true believers recognize God's |
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Look Up by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of looking up to God during life's storms, using the story of a sailor who found stability by focusing on his captain's voice. He reminds us t |
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Behold, Thou Art There by Bob Jones Sr. | In this sermon, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. emphasizes the limited understanding of human beings compared to God's infinite knowledge. He highlights the comforting fact that even though we m |