Amos 6:1-7
6:1 a Jerusalem ... Samaria: A message including Jerusalem is unexpected, but it shows that God plays no favorites; whoever rebels against God will experience sorrow. The Hebrew text uses the terms Zion ... Mount Samaria, indicating the citadels of the two cities. The people of both Judea and Israel were smug and self-important, believing that the fortresses of the cities of Jerusalem and Samaria were impregnable (see also 4:3 b). Relying on physical power instead of on God is sin.6:2 c Calneh and Hamath were Aramean city-states under Israelite influence (see 2 Kgs 14:28 d). Calneh fell to Assyria in 738 BC, and Hamath was forced to pay tribute shortly thereafter. Uzziah had broken down the wall of Gath (2 Chr 26:6 e), but it also fell to Assyria in 711 BC.
• You are no better: Israel itself fell in 722 BC.
6:3 f day of judgment (literally seat of violence): By this phrase, Amos either meant that Israel’s behavior hastened the violence of the Assyrian conquest, or that the people encouraged everyday violence against the poor by pushing the thought of coming disaster from their minds.
6:4 g Meat was typically used to honor distinguished guests. The common food was bread, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. The everyday use of meat shows the opulence of the wealthy classes.
Summary for Amos 6:5-6: 6:5-6 h These verses provide a picture of drunken revelry.
6:6 i wine by the bowlful: The word translated bowl (Hebrew mizraq) is related to a verb meaning sprinkle or splash (Hebrew zaraq; see Exod 24:6 j); the same word identified the basins used for sprinkling blood or water in religious ceremonies (see 2 Kgs 12:13 k; 25:15 l), adding a sense of sacrilege to this description of their drunkenness.
• of your nation: The Hebrew text reads of Joseph, referring to the northern kingdom of Israel; see study note on Amos 5:6.
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