Amos 2
DOYLYAmos 2:3
- — the judge] This word denotes the supreme magistrate or governour, see Deut. xvii. 9, and is here equivalent to the king. Compare Mic. v. 1. W. Lowth. Moab was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. xxvii. 3. 6. Abp. Newcome.
Amos 2:6
- — Israel.] Amos first prophesied against the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, Edomites, Ammonites, and Moabites; who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the twelve tribes, and had occasionally become their enemies and oppressors. Having thus taught his countrymen that the providence of God extended to other nations, he briefly mentions the idolatries and consequent destruction of Judah, and then passes on to his proper subject, which was to exhort and reprove the kingdom of Israel, and to denounce judgments against it. The reason why that kingdom was particularly addressed seems to have been, that Puli invaded it in the reign of Uzziah,
Amos 2:7
- That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor.] All their desire is after this unprofitable dust of the earth, silver and gold, which they eagerly desire to gain, even by trampling on the heads of the poor. Bp. Holl. Or the sense may be taken according to the Latin version, “Who tread down the heads of the poor into the dust of the earth;” that is, they throw them into the dust, and then trample upon them. W. Lowth.
— turn aside the way of the meek.] That is, from right and justice: see chap. v. 12; Isa. x. 1; xxix. 21. Abp. Newcome.
— to profane my holy name.] To treat me as if I was not a holy and fearful God, Exck. xx. 39; or, by giving occasion of reproach among the heathen, Exck. xx. 9. Abp. Newcome.
Amos 2:8
- And they lay themselves down &c.] This is to be understood of the feasts, which were made of part of their idolatrous sacrifices, and were eaten in some of the apartments of their temples, according to the custom both of the Jews and Gentiles: see I Sam. ix. 12, 13, 22; Isa. lvii. 7; Exck. xxiii. 41. The prophet reproves them, not only for partaking of things offered to idols, but likewise for making use of other men’s furniture, left in their hands for a pledge, to set off their idolatrous entertainments. Here was another instance of their unmercifulness, to detain pledges received from the poor, contrary to law, Exod. xxii. 26. See note upon Exck. xxiii. 7. The Jews as well as the Romans used to lie along at their meals on couches, as appears by this verse; compare chap. vi. 4. This custom continued in aftertimes, as appears by several places in the Gospels, where it is in the original, “lay down to meat;” though our translation renders it “sat down to meat.”
The custom of sitting at meals seems to have been the more ancient of the two. See Gen. xliii. 33; I Sam. ix. 22; xvi. 11; xx. 25. W. Lowth.
— and they drink the wine of the condemned] The drink offerings made with wine were a necessary part of the sacrifices; some of them were reserved for the entertainment that followed: see Exod. xxii. 6. And this was provided out of the fines of such as had been unjustly condemned, ver. 6. W. Lowth.
Amos 2:9
- Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, &c.] The sins of the Israelites against God are here amplified by the sundry and great benefits of God towards the Israelites: first by the utter destruction of the powerful and valiant nation of the Amorites; and then by the blessings which He bountifully bestowed upon them, as in their deliverance from Egypt, and their establishment in the promised land, ver. 10, so also in the guidance which He vouchsafed them by means of Prophets and holy men devoted to his service, ver. 11. But these benefits they neglected or despised, especially those of a spiritual kind; enticing the Nazarites to break their vow of abstinence, Numb. vi. 2, &c. and forbidding the admonitions of the Prophets, ver. 12. Dancus.
Amos 2:13
- Behold, I am pressed under you, &c.] I am ever overlaid with your wickedness: it is with me as with a cart that is overpressed with a load of sheaves, which goes heavily, and is ready to break under the burden. Bp. Holl.
Amos 2:14
- Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, &c.] That is, God shall render ineffectual all their resources and methods of escape; whether they be natural, as swiftness of foot and strength of body, or acquired by industry, diligence, and wit, as power and authority among others, skill in battle, or riches, and horses trained for war. Hence appears the vanity of all human devices set up in opposition to the judgments of God. Nothing but God’s mercy can deliver us from his justice; and that mercy is to be obtained only by true repentance through the promises of God in Christ Jesus. Dancus.