Amos 4:1-3

1 “Hear this word, ¹you cows of Bashan, who are ²on the mountain of Samaria, ³who oppress the poor, ⁴who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink! ’

2 ⁵The Lord God has sworn by his holiness that, behold, the days are coming upon you, ⁶when they shall take you away with hooks, ⁷even the last of you with fishhooks.

3 ⁸And you shall go out through the breaches, each one straight ahead; and you shall be cast out into Harmon, ”declares the Lord.

Amos 4:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 4

In this chapter, the great ones, or the people of Israel, are threatened with calamities for their oppression of the poor, Am 4:1-3; and in an ironic manner are reproved for their idolatry, Am 4:4,5; then follows an enumeration of several judgments that had been upon them, yet had had no effect on them, to bring them to repentance, nor even mercies, Am 4:6-11; and notwithstanding all this, in a wonderful gracious manner, they are called upon to prepare to meet their God, who is described by his power, greatness, and goodness, Am 4:12,13.

Cross References

• 1. 4:1 Ps. 22:12
• 2. 4:1 ch. 3:9; 6:1
• 3. 4:1 Hos. 5:11
• 4. 4:1 Hos. 5:11
• 5. 4:2 Ps. 89:35
• 6. 4:2 [Jer. 16:16; Hab. 1:15]; See 2 Kgs. 19:28
• 7. 4:2 [Jer. 16:16; Hab. 1:15]; See 2 Kgs. 19:28
• 8. 4:3 [Ezek. 12:5, 12]