Amós 5:9

9 Con poder y deslumbrante velocidad destruye a los poderosos
y aplasta todas sus defensas.

Amós 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:9

That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong
Such as have been taken by an enemy, who have been stripped of their armour, and spoiled of all their goods and substance, and have no friends nor allies, nor anything to help themselves with; the Lord can supply them with strength, furnish them with weapons, and send them helpers, so that they shall rise up against their conquerors and spoilers, and in their turn subdue them. The Targum is,

``that strengthens the weak against the strong;''

or causes the weak to prevail over the strong. A learned man, from the use of the word in the Arabic language, chooses to render it, "who intends", or "designs, destruction to the strong" ^F4; that is, in his secret purposes, and which he brings about in providence; though he is doubtful whether it may not have the signification of recreation and refreshment, and whether the construction and circumstances will admit of it; and some do so translate it, "who refreshes himself with destruction against the strong" ^F5; takes delight and pleasure in it; it is a recreation to him: so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress:
lay siege to it and take it, in which the spoiler thought himself secure with the spoil and substance he had taken from the spoiled; such sudden changes and vicissitudes can God bring upon men when he pleases. Some apply this to the Romans strengthened against the Jews, and besieging their fortified city Jerusalem; but not very aptly.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (ze le dv gylbmh) "qui intendit destinat destructionem forti", Hottinger, Smegma Orientale, l. 1. c. 7. p. 129.
F5 "Qui recreat se vastatione contra fortem [sive] robustum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Tarnovius. So Stockius, p. 136.

Amós 5:9 In-Context

7 Ustedes tuercen la justicia y la convierten en trago amargo para el oprimido.
Tratan al justo como basura.

8 Es el Señor
quien creó las estrellas,
las Pléyades y el Orión.
Él transforma la oscuridad en luz
y el día en noche.
Él levanta agua de los océanos
y la vierte como lluvia sobre la tierra.
¡El Señor
es su nombre!

9 Con poder y deslumbrante velocidad destruye a los poderosos
y aplasta todas sus defensas.

10 ¡Cómo odian ustedes a los jueces honestos!
¡Cómo desprecian a los que dicen la verdad!

11 Pisotean a los pobres,
robándoles el grano con impuestos y rentas injustas.
Por lo tanto, aunque construyan hermosas casas de piedra,
nunca vivirán en ellas.
Aunque planten viñedos exuberantes,
nunca beberán su vino.