Amos 2:13-16

13 Lo! I shall creak under you, as a wain charged with hay creaketh. (Lo! I shall creak under you, like a wagon, loaded with hay, creaketh.)

14 And flight shall perish from a swift man, and a strong man shall not hold his strength, and a stalworthy man shall not save his life; (And the swift shall not be able to escape, and a strong man shall not be able to hold onto his own strength, and a stalwart man, or a warrior, shall not be able to save his own life;)

15 and he that holdeth a bow shall not stand, and a swift man shall not be saved by his feet; and the rider of an horse shall not save his life, (and he who holdeth a bow shall not stand, and the swift shall not be saved by their own feet; and the rider of an horse shall not be able to save his own life,)

16 and a strong man of heart shall flee naked among strong men in that day, saith the Lord. (and even the most strong-hearted of the strong shall flee away naked on that day, saith the Lord.)

Amos 2:13-16 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.