Amos 6:6

6 You drink wine by the bowlful. You use the finest lotions. But Joseph's people will soon be destroyed. And you aren't even sad about it.

Amos 6:6 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 6:6

That drink wine in bowls
Not in small cups or glasses, but in large bowls, that they might drink freely, even to drunkenness; hence we read of the drunkards of Ephraim, or the ten tribes, ( Isaiah 28:1 ) ; or "drink in bowls of wine"; which is much to the: same sense. The Targum is,

``that drink wine in silver phials;''

and anoint themselves with the, chief ointments;
which Jarchi says was balsam, and the best is that which grew about Jericho; this they did not for moderate refreshment, but for pleasure, and to indulge themselves in luxury: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph;
or the "breach" of him ^F26; that was made upon him by some enemy or another: either what had been already made; Kimchi thinks it respects the carrying captive of some before the reign of Jeroboam; or it may regard the distress Pul king of Assyria gave to Israel, in the times of Menahem; or the carrying captive the inhabitants of several places by Tiglathpileser, king of Assyria, in the times of Pekah, ( 2 Kings 15:19 2 Kings 15:29 ) ; or else, as Jarchi thinks, this refers to some breach and affliction to come, which these men were unconcerned about; even what they heard from the mouth of the prophets should come to them; that the kingdom of the house of Israel should case, and be utterly took away, ( Hosea 1:4 Hosea 1:6 ) ; which was fulfilled by Shalmaneser, who carried Israel captive into the cities of the Medes, ( 2 Kings 17:6 ) ; but the prophecy of this did not trouble them, or make them sick at heart, as the word ^F1 signifies, nor any present affliction that might attend them; they did not weep with them that weep, were men of hard hearts, that had no sympathy with their brethren and fellow creatures. It is thought that here is some allusion to the attitude of Joseph's brethren to him, when in the pit, and sold by them into Egypt; or to the chief butler's forgetfulness of him, when advanced, and amidst his cups.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F26 (rbv le) "super contritione", Pagninus, Montanus; "propter confractienem Josephi", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ob fractionem Josephi", Cocceius.
F1 (wlxn al) "neque afficiuntur argritudine", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.

Amos 6:6 In-Context

4 You lie down on beds that are decorated with ivory. You rest on your couches. You eat the best lambs and the fattest calves.

5 You pluck away on your harps as David did. You play new songs on musical instruments.

6 You drink wine by the bowlful. You use the finest lotions. But Joseph's people will soon be destroyed. And you aren't even sad about it.

7 So you will be among the first to be taken away as prisoners. You won't be able to enjoy good food. You won't lie around on couches anymore.

8 The LORD and King has taken an oath in his own name. He is the LORD God who rules over all. He announces, "I hate the pride of Jacob's people. I can't stand their forts. I will hand the city of Samaria and everything in it over to their enemies."