Amos 5:1

Look to the LORD and Live

1 People of Israel, listen to the LORD's message. Hear my song of sadness about you. I say,

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:

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Amos 5:1 In-Context

1 People of Israel, listen to the LORD's message. Hear my song of sadness about you. I say,

2 "The people of Israel have fallen. They will never get up again. They are deserted in their own land. No one can lift them up."

3 The LORD and King says, "A thousand soldiers will march out from a city in Israel. But only a hundred will return. A hundred soldiers will march out from a town. But only ten will come back."

4 The LORD speaks to the people of Israel. He says, "Look to me and live.

5 Do not look to Bethel. Do not go to Gilgal. Do not travel to Beersheba. The people of Gilgal will be taken away as prisoners. Nothing will be left of Bethel."