Amos 4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:7

And also I have withholden the rain from you ,.... As he did for the space of three years successively in the days of Ahab, as predicted by Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1 ; the consequences of which are very bad to men and beast, and bring on a scarcity of food for both, and a famine if long withheld: when there were yet three months to the harvest ; that is, three months before the harvest, as Jarchi; when, as Kimchi observes, there was need of rain: this was the latter rain which was usually... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:8

So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water ,.... Two or three cities, that is, the inhabitants of them, being without water, went up and down in quest of any city or place where they could find water for themselves and cattle to drink: but they were not satisfied ; could not get enough for their present use and much less to carry back with them to supply them for any length of time; such a scarcity there was of it in other parts; see 1 Kings 18:5 ; yet have ye... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:9

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew ,.... "Blasting" is what we commonly call "blights", generally occasioned by an east wind; and so Kimchi interprets the word here used; and the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "a burning wind"; which causes the buds and leaves of trees to shrivel up as if they were burnt with fire. "Mildew" is a kind of clammy dew, which falling upon corn, &c.; corrupts and destroys by its moisture; and is a kind of jaundice to the fruits of the earth; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:10

I have sent among you the pestilence, after the manner of Egypt ,.... Like that which was sent among the firstborn of Egypt, and cut them off in one night; or when in the way of Egypt, as the Targum; either as in the wilderness, when they came out of Egypt, so Jarchi interprets it; see Numbers 16:46 ; or the Lord sent the pestilence as they went in the way to Egypt for help and assistence, or for shelter, for food in time of famine; for they went thither, as Kimchi says, because of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:11

I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah ,.... Either their houses were burnt, or their bodies consumed by fire from heaven, with lightning; not whole cities, but the habitations of some particular persons, or they themselves: and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning ; some escaped such an awful calamity, their houses were not consumed, while others were; and their persons were safe, while others, just by them, were struck dead at once: yet... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:12

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel ,.... What he would do is not expressly and particularly said; it is commonly understood to be something in a way of judgment, and worse than what he had done, since they had no effect upon them; or these things should be done over again, until an utter end was made of them; or the reference is to Amos 3:11 ; and the following words are usually interpreted, either, ironically, since the Lord was coming forth as an enemy to issue the controversy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:13

For, lo, he that formeth the mountains ,.... These words are a description of the glorious Person, "thy God" and Saviour, to be met; he is the Creator of all things, that formed the mountains, and so was before them, as in Proverbs 8:25 ; and able to surmount and remove all mountains of difficulties that lay in his way of working out salvation for his people: and createth the wind ; or "spirit"; not the Holy Spirit, which is uncreated; but either angels, whom he makes spirits; or the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 4

Israel reproved for their oppression, Amos 4:1-3 ; idolatry, Amos 4:4 , Amos 4:5 ; and for their impenitence under the chastising hand of God, Amos 4:6-11 . The omniscience and uncontrollable power of God, Amos 4:12 , Amos 4:13 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 4:1

Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan - Such an address was quite natural from the herdsman of Tekoa. Bashan was famous for the fertility of its soil, and its flocks and herds; and the prophet here represents the iniquitous, opulent, idle, lazy drones, whether men or women, under the idea of fatted bullocks, which were shortly to be led out to the slaughter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 4:2

He will take you away with hooks - Two modes of fishing are here alluded to: Angling with rod, line, and baited hook. That with the gaff, eel-spear, harpoon, or such like; the first used in catching small fish, by which the common people may be here represented; the second, for catching large fish, such as leave the sea, and come up the rivers to deposit their spawn; or such as are caught in the sea, as sharks, whales, dolphins, and even the hippopotamus, to which the more powerful and... read more

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