Amos 5:16-17

16 Therefore Yahweh, the God of Hosts, the Lord, says: There will be wailing in all the public squares; they will cry out in anguish^[a] in all the streets. The farmer will be called on to mourn, and professional mourners^[b][c]to wail.

17 There will be wailing in all the vineyards, for I will pass among you.^[d] The Lord has spoken.

Amos 5:16-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 5

In this chapter the prophet exhorts Israel to hear his lamentation over them for their impending ruin, Am 5:1-3; nevertheless to seek the Lord, and all that is good; to forsake their idols, and repent of their sins, in hopes of finding mercy, and living comfortably; or otherwise they must expect the wrath of God for their iniquities, especially their oppression of the poor, Am 5:4-15; otherwise it would be a time of weeping and wailing, of darkness and distress, however they might harden or flatter themselves, or make a jest of it, Am 5:16-20; for all their sacrifices and ceremonial worship would signify nothing, so long as they continued their idolatry with them Am 5:21-26; and therefore should surely go into captivity, Am 5:27.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit will say, "Alas! Alas!"
• [b] Lit and those skilled in lamentation
• [c] Jr 9:17
• [d] Ex 12:12