Amos 3:1-8

1 audite verbum quod locutus est Dominus super vos filii Israhel super omni cognatione quam eduxi de terra Aegypti dicens
2 tantummodo vos cognovi ex omnibus cognationibus terrae idcirco visitabo super vos omnes iniquitates vestras
3 numquid ambulabunt duo pariter nisi convenerit eis
4 numquid rugiet leo in saltu nisi habuerit praedam numquid dabit catulus leonis vocem de cubili suo nisi aliquid adprehenderit
5 numquid cadet avis in laqueum terrae absque aucupe numquid auferetur laqueus de terra antequam quid ceperit
6 si clanget tuba in civitate et populus non expavescet si erit malum in civitate quod Dominus non fecit
7 quia non faciet Dominus Deus verbum nisi revelaverit secretum suum ad servos suos prophetas
8 leo rugiet quis non timebit Dominus Deus locutus est quis non prophetabit

Amos 3:1-8 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.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.