Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Amos. His name is written in a different manner, in Hebrew, from that of the third among the minor prophets, ( Worthington.) though Saint Augustine has confounded them.—Ezechias. He wrote this title towards the end of his life, or it was added by Esdras, and so forth
Verse 2. Earth. He apostrophises these insensible things, ( Calmet.) because they contain all others, and are the most durable. Theod. Deuteronomy 31:1.
Verse 5–7. Sad. This was spoken after Ozias had given way to pride, when the Ammonites, and so forth began to disturb Juda, (4 Kennicott. 15:37 and 2 Chronicles 27:7) under Joathan, who was a good prince, but young. Calmet.—Enemies. At the last siege, (Saint Jerome) or rather when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldees. Calmet.—Many, from the highest to the lowest, had prevaricated: but God always preserved his Church. Worthington.
Verse 8. Cucumbers. Or melons, which grew in the fields, and huts were erected for guards, till they were gathered.
Verse 10. Sodom. Juda is so styled reproachfully, ( Calmet.) because the princes imitated the crimes of that devoted city. Ezekiel 16:49. Inf. chapter 2:6 and 3:9. Menochius.
Verse 11. Victims. Without piety, they are useless. God tolerated bloody victims to withdraw the people from idolatry, but he often shewed that they were not of much importance, in order that they might be brought to offer the sacrifice of the new law, which eminently includes all the rest. Saint Jerome Ps. xlix. 9. Am. verse 21. Jer. vi. 20. Theod.
Verse 14. Bearing. Hebrew, and so forth “pardoning,” ( Calmet.) or “bearing.” Septuagint “I will no longer pardon your sins.” Bible.
Verse 16. Wash. Interiorly. Calmet.—He seems to allude to baptism. Eus. Theod.
Verse 18. Accuse me. If I punish you without cause.
Verse 22. Water. There is no sincerity in commerce. Calmet.—Teachers give false interpretations of the law. Saint Jerome—Iniquity abounded before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldees and Romans. Worthington.
Verse 24. Ah! God punishes with regret. Menochius.—Comfort. I will take complete vengeance under Joathan, (4 Kennicott. 15:37.) Achaz, and so forth
Verse 25. Tin. I will reform abuses in the reign of Ezechias, but much more by establishing the Church of Christ, which shall be the faithful city. Calmet.
Verse 26. Judges. The Jews explain this of the judges, and priests, who governed after the captivity; though it refer rather to the apostles, and so forth Saint Jerome Worthington.
Verse 29. Idols. Prot. “oaks, which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens,” and so forth Bible.—the groves were sacred to Venus, and the gardens to Adonis, and were scenes of the greatest immorality and profanation. Calmet. 65:3.
Verse 31. It. The efforts of Achan and Ezechias against the enemy proved in vain. Calmet.
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
or, seed
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
tin is a metal that is separated from silver during the refining and purification process.