Amos 5:16-17

16 Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord saith thus: "Wailing shall be in all streets, and they shall say in all the highways, `Alas! Alas!' And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful in lamentation to wailing.

17 And in all vineyards shall be wailing, for I will pass through thee," saith the LORD.

Amos 5:16-17 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.