Amos 2:11-16

11 And I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for 1Nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?" declares the LORD.
12 "But you made the Nazirites 2drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, 3'You shall not prophesy.'
13 "Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down.
14 4Flight shall perish from the swift, 5and the strong shall not retain his strength, 6nor shall the mighty save his life;
15 he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is 7swift of foot shall not save himself, 8nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
16 and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day," declares the LORD.

Amos 2:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 2

In this chapter the prophet foretells the calamities that should come upon the Moabites for their transgressions, Am 2:1-3; and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for their iniquities, Am 2:4,5; also the judgments of God that should come upon Israel the ten tribes for their sins, which sins are enumerated; their oppression of the poor, their lewdness and idolatry, Am 2:6-8; and which are aggravated by the blessings of goodness bestowed upon them, both temporal and spiritual, Am 2:9-12; wherefore they are threatened with ruin, which would be inevitable, notwithstanding their swiftness, strength, and courage, and their skill in shooting arrows, and riding horses, Am 2:13-16.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Numbers 6:2
  • 2. [Numbers 6:3]
  • 3. Amos 7:13, 16; Isaiah 30:10; Micah 2:6
  • 4. [Amos 9:1; Ecclesiastes 9:11]
  • 5. [Amos 9:1; Ecclesiastes 9:11]
  • 6. [Psalms 33:16]
  • 7. [2 Samuel 2:18]
  • 8. [Psalms 33:17]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.