Amos 5:1

1 Hear ye this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel.

Amos 5:1 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:1

Hear ye the word which I take up against you
And which was not his own word, but the word of the Lord; and which he took up, by his direction as a heavy burden as some prophecies are called, and this was; and which, though against them, a reproof for their sins, and denunciation of punishment for them, yet was to be heard; for every word of God is pure, and to be hearkened to, whether for us or against us; since the whole is profitable, either for doctrine and instruction in righteousness, or for reproof and correction. It may be rendered, "which I take up concerning you", or "over you" ^F26: [even] a lamentation, O house of Israel;
a mournful ditty, an elegiac song over the house of Israel, now expiring, and as it were dead. This word was like Ezekiel's roll, in which were written "lamentation, and mourning, and woe", ( Ezekiel 2:10 ) ; full of mournful matter, misery, and distress, as follows:

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (Mkyle) "de vobis", Tigurine version, Mercerus, Piscator, Cocceius; "super vos", Pagninus, Montanus; "pro vobis", Vatablus.

Amos 5:1 In-Context

1 Hear ye this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel.

2 The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is cast down upon her land; there is none to raise her up.

3 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred shall have ten left, to the house of Israel.

4 For thus saith Jehovah unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live;

5 but seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought.