Amos 2:9-12

9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite as Israel advanced; his height^[a] was like the cedars, and he was as sturdy as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath.

10 And I brought you from the land of Egypt and led you 40 years in the wilderness in order to possess the land of the Amorite.^[b]

11 I raised up some of your sons as prophets^[c] and some of your young men as Nazirites.^[d] Is this not the case, Israelites? [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration.

12 But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets: Do not prophesy.

Amos 2:9-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Nm 13:28-33
• [b]. Nm 21:25
• [c]. Am 7:14-15; Dt 18:18-19; Jr 1:4-5
• [d]. Nm 6:1-21; Jdg 13:2-5; 1 Sm 1:11