Amos 4:10

10 “I sent plagues on you like the plagues I sent on Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and led all your horses away. The stench of death filled the air! But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD .

Amos 4:10 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 4:10

I have sent among you the pestilence, after the manner of
Egypt
Like that which was sent among the firstborn of Egypt, and cut them off in one night; or when in the way of Egypt, as the Targum; either as in the wilderness, when they came out of Egypt, so Jarchi interprets it; see ( Numbers 16:46-49 ) ; or the Lord sent the pestilence as they went in the way to Egypt for help and assistence, or for shelter, for food in time of famine; for they went thither, as Kimchi says, because of the famine, to fetch food, from thence; and this was displeasing to the Lord, and he sent the plague among them, which cut them off in the way: your young men have I slain with the sword;
of the enemy in battle; or as they were in the way to Egypt, being sent there to fetch food, but were intercepted by the enemy: and have taken away your horses;
on which they rode to Egypt on the above errand; or rather which they brought up from thence, contrary to the command of God: and have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils;
such numbers of their armies being slain, and these lying unburied, the smell of them was very noisome: yet have ye not returned unto me saith the Lord;
still they continued obstinate and impenitent; (See Gill on Amos 4:6).

Amos 4:10 In-Context

8 People staggered from town to town looking for water, but there was never enough. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD .

9 “I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD .

10 “I sent plagues on you like the plagues I sent on Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and led all your horses away. The stench of death filled the air! But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD .

11 “I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like charred sticks pulled from a fire. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD .

12 “Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!”

Footnotes

• [a]. Or and slaughtered your captured horses.