Amos 5:12

12 For I know your many transgressions, and your sins are great, trampling on the just, taking bribes, and turning aside the poor in the gates.

Amos 5:12 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:12

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins,
&c.] Their sins were numerous, and of the first magnitude, attended with very heavy aggravations; and these with all their circumstances were well known to the omniscient God, and therefore he determined to punish them as he had threatened. Some of their transgressions are pointed out, as follow: they afflict the just;
who are so both in a moral and evangelic sense; not comparatively only, but really; and particularly whose cause was just, and yet were vexed and distressed by unjust judges, who gave the cause against them, made them pay all costs and charges, and severely mulcted them: they take a bribe; of those that were against the just, and gave the cause for them. The word signifies "a ransom" F6. The Targum it false mammon. Corrupt and unjust judges are here taxed: and they turn aside the poor in the gate [from their right];
in the court of judicature, where they should have done them justice, such courts being usually held in the gates of cities; but instead of that they perverted their judgment, and did them wrong.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (rpwk) "pretium redemptionis", Mercerus, Liveleus, Drusius, Lytron, Cocceius.

Amos 5:12 In-Context

10 They hated him that reproved in the gates, and abhorred holy speech.
11 Therefore because they have smitten the poor with their fists, and ye have received of them choice gifts; ye have built polished houses, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted desirable vineyards, but ye shall not drink the wine of them.
12 For I know your many transgressions, and your sins are great, trampling on the just, taking bribes, and turning aside the poor in the gates.
13 Therefore the prudent shall be silent at that time; for it is a time of evils.
14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord God Almighty shall be with you, as ye have said,

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.