Amos
Verse 1. Ashes. Some think that he alludes to 4 Kennicott. 3:27 or rather to some war, the ashes of the dead were disturbed. Calmet.—Both these acts of inhumanity deserved severe punishment. Worthington.
EXPLANATIONS
Amos 2
Historical chapter commentary
Amos
Verse 2. Fire: war under Ozias. Calmet.—Carioth. Septuagint “the cities.” Carioth has this meaning, but is was also the name of a great city. Jeremiah 48:24. Bible.
Amos
Verse 3. Judge, ruler, or head, shall be no more.
Amos
Verse 4. Walked. After Solomon, scarcely a good prince appeared, till the days of Amos. Juda imitated the idolatry of Israel, hoping thus to find assistance. Calmet.—His crime was the more grievous, as they had the law. Worthington.
Amos
Verse 5. Fire. Under Joathan, Rasin, and so forth invaded the country. Achaz increased the misery, by applying to the Assyrians. Calmet.
Amos
Verse 6. Just man. Joseph, (Rupert) or our Saviour, (Sanct.) or any other. The expression is proverbial. Ezekiel 13:19. Calmet.—Israel contemned the law, and adopted the abominations of all. Worthington.
Amos
Verse 7. Humble, provoking him to anger.—Name. Such incests caused infidels to blaspheme. Leviticus 18:8. Calmet.—They must be punished with severity. Worthington.
Amos
Verse 8. Altar. Herein they offended doubly, (Exodus 22:26) as they used the garments of others to hide their shameful actions. 4 Kennicott. 23:7. Calmet.—Septuagint “and tying up their garments with cords, they made veils touching the altar, and drank wine procured by calumnies,” ( Bible.) or “rapine,” and so forth Chal.—Condemned by them unjustly, though some think that a very delicious and intoxicating wine is meant, such as was given to people in grief. Proverbs 31:6. Mark 15:23. Helena learnt in Egypt how to compose such wine. Odys. iv.—Feasting in temples on carpets was an ancient custom.
Amos
Verse 9. Beneath. The Israelites seemed like locusts in comparison. Numbers 13:34.
Amos
Verse 11. Nazarites. Some went secretly to Jerusalem for this purpose; or perhaps they performed these rites illegally at Bethel: for many parts of the law were observed, though not perfectly. Calmet. 4:4. The Nazarites were in high estimation. Lamentations 4:7. But the dissolute Israelites ( Calmet.) derided them as well as the prophets, ( Bible.) and attempted to make them transgress. Calmet.
Amos
Verse 13. I will screek. Unable to bear any longer the enormous load of your sins, and so forth The Spirit of God, as S. Jerom takes notice, accommodates itself to the education of the prophet, and inspires him with encouragements taken from country affairs. Challoner.—Septuagint “I am overturned.” Hebrew “pressed.” Calmet.
Amos
Verse 14. Swift. Jeroboam I. Other kings are described afterwards. Saint Jerome—In the latter times all was in confusion. Calmet.
Amos
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
Amos
“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.