Amos 3:9-15

9 Proclaim on the citadels in 1Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, "Assemble yourselves on the 2mountains of Samaria and see the great tumults within her and the 3oppressions in her midst.
10 "But they 4do not know how to do what is right," declares the LORD, "these who 5hoard up violence and devastation in their citadels."
11 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "An 6enemy, even one surrounding the land, Will pull down your strength from you And your 7citadels will be looted."
12 Thus says the LORD, "Just as the shepherd 8snatches from the lion's mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear, So will the sons of Israel dwelling in Samaria be snatched away - With the 9corner of a bed and the 10cover of a couch!
13 "Hear and 11testify against the house of Jacob," Declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts.
14 "For on the day that I punish Israel's transgressions, I will also punish the altars of 12Bethel; The horns of the altar will be cut off And they will fall to the ground.
15 "I will also smite the 13winter house together with the 14summer house; The houses of 15ivory will also perish And the 16great houses will come to an end," Declares the LORD.

Amos 3:9-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 3

In this chapter the prophet goes on with his prophecy against Israel, whom God had highly favoured, and yet sinned against him, and therefore must expect to be punished by him; and the rather, since he and they were not agreed; and therefore there could be no communion between them, Am 3:1-3; and by various similes are set forth the cause of divine judgments, the certain design of them, and their continuance, till the end is answered; which should be attended to, since every thing of this kind is of God, who giving his prophets notice of it, they are under an absolute necessity of declaring it; nor should they be blamed for it, Am 3:4-8; and even the Heathen nations are appealed unto as witnesses of the sins of Israel, that caused such a denunciation of wrath; their tumults, oppression, injustice, violence, and robbery, Am 3:9,10; wherefore an adversary is threatened to be sent among them, that should utterly destroy them, so that few should escape, Am 3:11,12; particularly their idolatry and luxury seem to have been reigning sins, which had a great hand in bringing on their rum, and for which the Lord would punish them, Am 3:13-15.

Cross References 16

  • 1. 1 Samuel 5:1
  • 2. Amos 4:1; Amos 6:1
  • 3. Amos 5:11; Amos 8:6
  • 4. Psalms 14:4; Jeremiah 4:22; Amos 5:7; Amos 6:12
  • 5. Habakkuk 2:8-10; Zephaniah 1:9; Zechariah 5:3, 4
  • 6. Amos 6:14
  • 7. Amos 2:5
  • 8. 1 Samuel 17:34-37
  • 9. Psalms 132:3
  • 10. Esther 1:6; Esther 7:8; Amos 6:4
  • 11. Ezekiel 2:7
  • 12. 2 Kings 23:15; Hos 10:5-8, 14, 15; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:5, 6; Amos 7:10, 13
  • 13. Jeremiah 36:22
  • 14. Judges 3:20
  • 15. 1 Kings 22:39; Psalms 45:8
  • 16. Amos 2:5; Amos 6:11

Footnotes 7

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