Amo 9:5-6 | NETfull | STEP | The sovereign Lord who commands armies will do this. He touches the earth and it dissolves; all who live on it mourn. The whole earth rises like the River Nile, and then grows calm like the Nile in Egypt.

Amos 9:5-6

5 The sovereign Lord who commands armies will do this. ^{▼▼ The words “will do this” are supplied in the translation for clarification.}
He touches the earth and it dissolves; ^{▼▼ Or “melts.” The verb probably depicts earthquakes and landslides. See v. 5b.}
all who live on it mourn.
The whole earth ^{▼▼ Heb “all of it.”} rises like the River Nile, ^{▼▼ Heb “the Nile.” The word “River” is supplied in the translation for clarity.}
and then grows calm ^{▼▼ Or “sinks back down.”} like the Nile in Egypt. ^{▼▼ See Amos 8:8, which is very similar to this verse.}
6 He builds the upper rooms of his palace ^{▼▼ The MT reads “his steps.” If this is correct, then the reference may be to the steps leading up to the heavenly temple or the throne of God (cf. 1 Kgs 10:19–20). The prefixed מ (mem) may be dittographic (note the preceding word ends in mem). The translation assumes an emendation to עֲלִיָּתוֹ (’aliyyato, “his upper rooms”).} in heaven
and sets its foundation supports ^{▼▼ Traditionally, “vault” (so ASV, NAB, NRSV). The precise meaning of this word in this context is unclear. Elsewhere it refers to objects grouped or held together. F. I. Andersen and D. N. Freedman (Amos [AB], 845-46) suggest the foundational structure of a building is in view.} on the earth. ^{▼▼ Verse 6a pictures the entire universe as a divine palace founded on the earth and extending into the heavens.}
He summons the water of the sea
and pours it out on the earth’s surface.
The Lord is his name.