Bible Commentaries

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

children = sons. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aram, and Septuagint, read "house". Either reading shows that these chapters relate to the twelve-tribed nation (see p. 1206).

I brought up, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:51, &c.)

you only have I known, &c. See the Structure above. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:6). App-92. Compare Psalms 147:19, Psalms 147:20.

earth = soil. Hebrew. addamah.

punish you = visit upon you, as in Amos 3:14. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34). App-92. iniquities. Hebrew. `avah. App-44.

Can two . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (in negative affirmation). App-6. This is the first of five parables. The answer to each is self-evident,

be agreed = have met together by appointment [of time and (place].

Will . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

forest = thicket.

snare = net. Hebrew. phah.

gin = a snare, or trap. Gin is short for the Old French engin, which is from Latin. ingeninm; hence, something ingenious.

Shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. trumpet. Hebrew. shophar.

not be afraid = not run together.

evil = calamity; as in Amos 5:13. Psalms 141:5. Feb. ra"a". App-44. = evil: not moral evil, but evil inflicted in judgment, as in Amos 5:13. Isaiah 45:7. Jeremiah 18:11. Lamentations 3:38.

and the LORD hath not done it? With the true meaning of "evil" there is no need to do violence to the Hebrew to defend Jehovah's righteous dealings.

done = inflicted.

Surely = [No:] for. Compare Job 31:18. Micah 6:4. The reason follows and is explained.

the Lord GOD. See note on Amos 1:7.

will do = doeth. Hebrew. "asah = work, execute (Exodus 12:12. Numbers 5:30; Numbers 33:4. Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 33:21, &c.)

revealeth. As He did to Abraham, His "prophet" (Genesis 20:7) in Genesis 18:17, &c., and has since done by His prophets. Compare Genesis 6:13. Psalms 25:14. John 15:15.

secret secret counsel. Hebrew. sod. Compare Job 15:8; Job 29:4. Proverbs 3:32.

The lion bath roared. Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. App-6. the Lord GOD hath spoken. Figure of speech Hermeneia. App-6. Explaining the Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. in the preceding line.

who can but prophesy ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. Some modern critics alter the Feb. to "be frightened", not seeing that it is through the prophets that God speaks (Hebrews 1:1).

palaces. See note on Amos 1:4.

the oppressed = oppressive acts. Hebrew. "ashukim = oppressed by violent and forcible exactions. Occurs only here; Job 35:9; and Ecclesiastes 4:1. Reference to Pentateuch Leviticus 19:13. Deuteronomy 24:14).

they know not. Marking the Structure.

right = straight forward. Hebrew. nakah. A rare word. Occurs only in 2 Samuel 15:3. Proverbs 8:9 ("plain"); Amos 24:26. Isaiah 26:10 ("uprightness"); Amos 30:10 ("right things"); Amos 57:2 ("uprightness"); Amos 59:14 ("equity").

saith the Lord = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

thus saith the Lord God. The first of three occurrences of this formula in Amos. See note on Amos 1:3.

An adversary = An adversary [shall] come. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6. Compare 2 Kings 17:3, 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:9, 2 Kings 18:10, 2 Kings 18:11.

Thus saith the Lord. See note on Amos 1:3.

As = Just as. according as.

taketh = rescueth, like a brand plucked from the burning.

a piece = the tip.

in a couch = [in the corner of] a couch: i.e. luxuriously. Compare Amos 6:1-4. Ellipsis (of Repetition). App-6

the house of Jacob: i.e. the whole of the natural seed. See note on Amos 3:1.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

saith the Lord God, the God of hosts = [is] the oracle of Adonai, the Elohim of Zebaioth.

in the day that, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34). App-92.

ground = earth. Hebrew. erez.

winter house. Compare Jeremiah 36:22.

summer house. Compare Judges 3:20.

houses of ivory. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6, for the parts inlaid, paneled, or overlaid with ivory. Compare 1 Kings 22:39. Psalms 45:8.

the great = many.