Amos 4

1 ye kine of Bashan. See note on Psa. xxii. 12. In this passage, masculine and feminine forms are intermingled, as some think, to designate the effeminacy of the courtiers and companions of the king of Israel (cp. Hosea vii. 5), who is called “their master” (masters). Others, however, think that women only are meant, and by other commentators both women and men are supposed to be indicated.

2 hath sworn by His holiness. It was His holiness which their sin had outraged.

with hooks, etc. An expressive image of sudden disaster and helplessness, as that of a fish lifted out of the water.

3. And ye shall go out at the breaches, etc. Perhaps the best rendering of this verse is, “And at the breaches (of your walls) ye shall go forth, each straight before her; and ye shall throw yourselves [down from] the citadel, saith Jehovah.” The figure is derived from the headlong rush of frightened cattle: cp. R.V., where the word for “palace” or “citadel” is given, according to the Heb. form, as a proper name “[into] Harmon.” “Harmon” is supposed by some to be “Hermon”; by others “Armenia.”

4 your tithes after three years. The Heb. literally reads, “every three days” (so R.V.), indicating extreme punctiliousness of religious observance. The whole language is that of irony: You may maintain your worship carefully, but you only provoke Me; for I have forbidden your calf-worship, and have chosen Jerusalem, not Beth-el, for My sanctuary.

5 a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven. See Lev. vii. 13, and note.

this liketh you. It is your own way of approaching God, not His way. Keil remarks on the whole description, that it shows the worship in the kingdom of the Ten Tribes to have been conducted generally according to the precepts of the Mosaic law; but with exaggerated formality and zeal.

6 cleanness of teeth. This is the same as “want of bread.”

7. When there were yet three months to the harvest. The “latter rain,” which falls in Palestine about February, is necessary for the growth of the corn: see note on Deut. xi. 14. This was not yet absolutely withheld, but was very partial.

10 after the manner of Egypt. That is, as I formerly did to the Egyptians.

11. I have overthrown [some] of you, etc. This refers to some awful catastrophe, not noticed elsewhere, by which some of the cities of Israel were burnt, whilst others narrowly escaped, like a brand plucked from the fire: cp. Zech. iii. 2; 1 Cor. iii. 15.

12. Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Famine, pestilence, earthquake, were Jehovah’s messengers. These having failed of their effect, Israel is summoned to meet God HIMSELF, in some yet more dread revelation of His power and justice, and also of His love. The words point to the “day of the Lord,” for which repentance and submission are the only “preparation.”

13. He that formeth the mountains, etc. This sublime description gives emphasis to the preceding words, “thy God.” The Eternal, the Searcher of hearts, is the Covenant God of Israel.