Amos 6

1 [Which are] named chief of the nations. Rather, “The notable men of the chief of the nations” (R.V.); i.e., the princes of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, who, trusting in the strength of their capitals, set the people, who “came,” or looked up to them, an example of confident ease and recklessness of Divine warnings. The same epithets are applied by Isaiah (Isa. xxxii. 9, 11) to the luxurious women of Israel.

2. Calneh. Or, Calmo (Isa. x. 9), probably Ctesiphon; situated opposite Seleucia, and for a time the capital of the Parthians (R.V.).

Hamath. See notes on Numb. xiii. 21; 2 Sam. viii. 9.

Gath of the Philistines. Gath was one of the principal cities of the Philistines, the residence of Goliath. Uzziah, in whose reign Amos prophesied, took it and destroyed its wall (2 Chron. xxvi. 6).

[Be they] better than these kingdoms? Of the various explanations given to this question the most probable is, See how these mighty cities are humbled and reduced, and learn to fear My judgements.

3. Ye that put far away the evil day. Banishing all fear of the threatened punishment, men hold fast to their iniquities.

the seat of violence. The judgement-seat, where injustice was practised.

5. That chant. Rather, as R.V., “That sing idle songs.”

[and] invent to themselves, etc Cultivating merely for their own diversion an art which David consecrated to the service of God.

7. And the banquet of them that stretched themselves, etc. Rather, “And the revelry of those that recline (on couches) shall pass away”: see R.V. Having been chief in sin, they shall be chief in punishment.

8 the excellency (or, pride) of Jacob. See note on Psa. xlvii. 4; and Ezek. xxiv. 21.

10 a man’s uncle shall take him up, etc. Or, “A man’s uncle, even he who burneth him, shall take him up,” etc. This probably means that the mortality (of pestilence following famine) will be so great as to throw the care of the dead upon their more distant relatives; who, to prevent infection, will burn the bodies instead of burying them.

Hold thy tongue, etc. Or, “Hush! for [it is not a time] to mention the name of Jehovah.” The meaning is not very obvious, but perhaps it is this: that one of the household, confined to the chamber (the “sides” or “inermost parts” of the house) by the disease, says that he is the sole survivor; and he is told that it is of no use now to call upon God, for his case is hopeless.

12. Shall horses run upon the rock? i.e., “Is your conduct more reasonable who have violated the eternal laws of God?” (Gandell).

13 horns. That is, power. Some scholars, however, regard the Hebrew words Lo-debar (“a thing of nought”) and Karmaim (“horns”) as the names of two towns, Lo-debar being mentioned in 2 Sam. ix. 4, and Karmaim in Gen. xiv. 5.

14 the river of the wilderness. Rather, “the brook of the Arabah” (R.V.); i.e., of the Jordan valley.