Amos 2:13-16

13 “Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down.

14 ¹Flight shall perish from the swift, ²and the strong shall not retain his strength, ³nor shall the mighty save his life;

15 he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is ⁴swift of foot shall not save himself, ⁵nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;

16 and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, ”declares 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.

Cross References

• 1. 2:14 [ch. 9:1; Eccles. 9:11]
• 2. 2:14 [ch. 9:1; Eccles. 9:11]
• 3. 2:14 [Ps. 33:16]
• 4. 2:15 [2 Sam. 2:18]
• 5. 2:15 [Ps. 33:17]