Amos 4:1-3

Israel Has Not Returned to God

1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!”

2 The Sovereign LORD has sworn by his holiness: “The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks.^[a]

3 You will each go straight out through breaches in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,^[b] ” 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. S Psalms 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18
• 2. S Amos 3:9
• 3. S Isaiah 58:6; S Ezekiel 18:12
• 4. S Deuteronomy 24:14
• 5. Jeremiah 44:19
• 6. S Amos 2:8; Amos 5:11; Amos 8:6
• 7. Jeremiah 31:31
• 8. Amos 6:8
• 9. S 2 Kings 19:28; S 2 Chronicles 33:11; S Isaiah 19:8
• 10. S Ezekiel 12:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "away in baskets," / "the last of you in fish baskets"
• [b]. Masoretic Text; with a different word division of the Hebrew (see Septuagint) "out, you mountain of oppression"