Amos 2

I he burned the bones of the king of Edom. According to an uncertain tradition preserved by Jerome, these were the bones of that king of Edom who was allied with Jehoshaphat and Jehoram (2 Kings iii. 9). This disinterment was an act of cold-blooded revenge.

2. I will send a fire. The instrument of his revenge shall be the means of his punishment.

4 their lies. Probably “their idols”; see note on Psa. xxxi. 6.

6 a pair of shoes. Rather, “a pair of sandals”; mere soles fastened by thongs; things of the smallest value: cp. Ezek. xiii. 19. The word “sold” is to be understood here in the sense of selling into slavery, which was frequently done: see Lev. xxv. 39; 2 Kings iv. 1.

7. That pant after the dust, etc. Rather, “that trample the head of the poor in the dust.” (So Septuagint, Vulgate, Luther, and recent translations.)

To profane My holy name. It is not unlikely that, as the Israelites professed to honour Jehovah in their image-worship, they even pretended to do so in the licentious practices associated with pagan worship.

8 they lay themselves down, etc. They not only appropriated to their own use the garments which had been pledged (see Exod. xxii. 26), and the fines which had been levied; but to this injustice they added the impiety of using these things at their idol-feasts.

9 the Amorite. See note on Gen. xv. 16. The reference is to the destruction of the Canaanite nations, of whom the Amorite was the most powerful. The form of expression here and in ver. 10 is emphatic: “It was I who destroyed—I who brought you up.”

11. Nazarites (“Nazirites,” R.V.). See note on Numb. vi. 2.

13. Behold, I am pressed under you. Rather, “Behold, I will press [you] down,” etc. (i.e., I will over-power you with punishment), “and flight shall fail,” etc.

14. Therefore. The Heb. is simply, “And.”

16. Shall flee away naked. That is, the bravest shall throw off his armour and flee.

saith the Lord. Professor Gandell (Speaker’s Commentary) points out that the Hebrew word used here has more significance than the English word “saith” suggests. It means the utterance, perhaps the oracle, of God to His prophet, and by Him delivered to others.