Amos 2:10-16

10 And I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.

11 And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, ye children of Israel? saith Jehovah.

12 And ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

13 Behold, I will press upon you, as a cart presseth that is full of sheaves.

14 And flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver his soul.

15 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and the swift of foot shall not escape, and he that rideth the horse shall not deliver his soul;

16 and he that is stout-hearted among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith Jehovah.

Amos 2:10-16 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. See Isa. 1.24.
• [b]. Lit. 'in your place.' Others, 'I am pressed under you (i.e. 'your sins') as the cart is loaded with sheaves.'
• [c]. Or 'refuge,' as Jer. 25.35.