Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Wealthy. Septuagint Syr. and Arab. “despisers of Sion.” Hebrew also, “who hate Sion.” The prophecy wholly regards Israel. Calmet.—It is a great crime for the rich to neglect the poor; but still more so, when wealthy clergymen shew no compassion for the spiritual or corporal wants of their neighbours. Worthington.—State. Hebrew “to whom the house of Israel comes” for judgment.
Verse 2. Chalane. Ctesiphon ( Calmet.) was built on its ruins. Genesis 10:10. Bible.—Why do you imitate these cities? or, has their greatness protected them? Phul probably took Chanane, and Jeroboam II. the other cities. verse 15 and 4 Kennicott. 14:25. At that time there was no appearance of the kingdom being destroyed; yet Amos composes a funeral canticle, to shew the certainty of the event.
Verse 3. Separated. Hebrew “remove the evil day,” as if it would not overtake you. Ezekiel 12:22. Septuagint “who are praying ( Calmet.) or coming (Grabe) to the evil day, approaching and touching false sabbaths.” Bible.—They pray to be delivered, while they continue ( Calmet.) their false worship. Bible.
Verse 4. Ivory, with which the beds for eating were adorned. verse 7. Calmet.—Wanton. Hebrew “stretch themselves out upon their,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 5. David. They think they excel him in music; but he consecrated his talent to a better purpose. Calmet.—Septuagint “they deemed them stable, and not fugitive things.” Bible.—They have placed their chief good in such pleasures. Theod. Calmet.
Verse 6. In bowels. Septuagint “refined,” ( Bible.) or cleared of the dregs.—Joseph, of their brethren, or they seem to have no share in the sufferings of mankind. Psalms 72:5.
Verse 7. Luxurious. Hebrew “the feast of those who stretch themselves out, shall,” and so forth Septuagint “the neighing shall be removed from Ephraim.” His lusts shall be punished. Jeremiah 5:8.—Some translate Hebrew “the mourning of those who stretch themselves on their beds is at hand.” Others, “their funeral feast is distant.” None shall bewail their death. So ambiguous is the original. Calmet.
Verse 8. Jacob. God loved the humility of the patriarch, and hated the pride of his posterity. Worthington.
Verse 9. Die. Their numbers will not protect them from the plague.
Verse 10. Burn. After the captivity, it was more common to bury or to embalm the dead. Calmet.
Verse 11. Lord. He has done it. Do not repine. Theod. Saint Cyril—Hebrew “Be silent, and not to remember the,” and so forth He will offer comfort. Calmet.—Still, none will return to the Lord. Saint Jerome
Verse 12. Clefts. All shall perish, ( Calmet.) both Israel and Juda. Chal. Grot.—But he speaks only of the former.
Verse 13. Buffles, which cannot be tamed. Hebrew “with oxen.” We must understand, on rocks. Calmet.—Septuagint “Shall they be silent when they are with females?” Bible.—To turn the works of justice into sins, is no less unnatural than to plough with wild buffles. Worthington.
Verse 14. Naught: in your idols, which are nothing, (1 Corinthians 8:4) or in your own strength, fortifications, or allies.—Horns: glory and power. Calmet.—Pa rata tollo cornua. Hor. epod. 6.
Verse 15. Nation; the Assyrians.—Desert, commonly called Bezor, ( Calmet.) between Damietta and Rhinocorura. Saint Jerome—The whole territory of Israel, reaching so far, (verse 2) shall be laid waste. Calmet.