Amos 5:17-27

17 And in all vineyards shall be wailing, for I will pass through the midst of thee, said the LORD.

18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD shall be darkness, and not light.

19 As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall and a serpent bit him.

20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

21 I hate, I despise your solemnities, and I will not savour your assemblies.

22 Though ye offer me your burnt offerings and your presents, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

23 Take away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy instruments.

24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

25 Did you perchance offer me any sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness in forty years, O house of Israel?

26 But ye have offered unto Sicut your king, and unto Chiun your idols, the star of your gods which ye made.

27 Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, said the LORD, whose name is The God of the hosts.

Amos 5:17-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 5

In this chapter the prophet exhorts Israel to hear his lamentation over them for their impending ruin, Am 5:1-3; nevertheless to seek the Lord, and all that is good; to forsake their idols, and repent of their sins, in hopes of finding mercy, and living comfortably; or otherwise they must expect the wrath of God for their iniquities, especially their oppression of the poor, Am 5:4-15; otherwise it would be a time of weeping and wailing, of darkness and distress, however they might harden or flatter themselves, or make a jest of it, Am 5:16-20; for all their sacrifices and ceremonial worship would signify nothing, so long as they continued their idolatry with them Am 5:21-26; and therefore should surely go into captivity, Am 5:27.