Amos 8

Amos 8:2

Are gone away - By their idolatry.

Amos 8:3

Ministers - Servants employed in the lowest work. Sanctuary - Not the temple itself, but about the courts of it. Having charge - They shall be porters to open and shut, and sweep, and go on errands. To minister - To wait on the priests.

Amos 8:4

Iniquity - The punishment of it.

Amos 8:5

Shall bear their shame - They shall be dealt with according to their abominations, and bear the punishment thereof.

Amos 8:7

That kept the charge - Were constant, zealous, and faithful in their priestly office.

Amos 8:8

Into my sanctuary - Both to the altar, to the temple, and the high - priest into the holy of holies. Come near - To set the shew - bread on, and to take it off. To minister - To offer sacrifice at the altar, and incense in the house. God will put marks of honour upon those who are faithful to him in trying times, and will, employ those in his service, who have kept close to it, when others drew back.

Amos 8:9

And within - In the temple.

Amos 8:11

Shall not sanctify - By the law, common things, touching holy things, became consecrated, and no more fit for common use.

Amos 8:12

To grow long - Priding themselves in it, as Absalom. Shall only poll - When the hair is grown, they shall cut the ends of their hair, and keep it in moderate size.

Amos 8:13

Drink wine - Or any other strong liquor, when they go either to trim the lamps or set the shew - bread in order, or to offer incense in the temple, or when they go to the altar to offer a sacrifice, which stood in the inner court.