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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 4:6-13

Here, I. God complains of his people's incorrigibleness under the judgments which he had brought upon them in order to their humiliation and reformation. He had by several tokens intimated to them his displeasure, with this design, that they might by repentance make their peace with him; but it had not that effect. 1. It is five times repeated in these verses, as the burden of the charge, ?Yet have you not returned unto me, saith the Lord; you have been several times corrected, but in vain;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 4:6

And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities ,.... Meaning a famine, having no food to foul them with, or to stick in them. This was not the famine in Samaria, 2 Kings 6:25 ; for that was only in that city, and for a short time, while besieged; whereas this was in all the cities in Israel; rather therefore it designs the famine predicted by Elisha, which should be upon the land for seven years, 2 Kings 8:1 ; and want of bread in all your places : this is the same... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 4:6

Cleanness of teeth - Scarcity of bread, as immediately explained. Ye shall have no trouble in cleaning your teeth, for ye shall have nothing to eat. Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord - This reprehension is repeated live times in this chapter; and in it are strongly implied God's longsuffering, his various modes of fatherly chastisement, the ingratitude of the people, and their obstinate wickedness. The famine mentioned here is supposed to be that which is spoken of 2... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 4:6

Verse 6 But I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your borders; and ye turned not to me, saith Jehovah. God here expostulates with the people on account of their incurable perverseness; for he had tried to restore them to the right way, not only by his word, but also by heavy punishments; but he effected nothing. This hardness doubled the guilt of that people, as they could not be subdued by God’s chastisements. The Prophet now says, that the people had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 4:1-13

§ 2. Second address. The prophet reproves the voluptuous women of Samaria, and fortells their captivity ( Amos 4:1-3 ); with bitter irony he describes the people's devotion to idolatry ( Amos 4:4 , Amos 4:5 ): he shows how incorrigible they have proved themselves under God's chastisements ( Amos 4:6-11 ); therefore they must expect further punishment, if so be that they will learn to fear the Lord ( Amos 4:12 , Amos 4:13 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 4:6

In this and the five following verses God sets forth instances of the judgments which he had sent at various times to correct Israel; viz. famine, drought, blight, pestilence, earthquake; but all had been in vain. Five times recurs the sad refrain, "Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord." God's unwearied love had not conquered their rebellion. Cleanness of teeth; Septuagint, γομφιασμὸν ὀδόντων , "dulness of teeth;" Vulgate, stuporem dentium. It is not "toothache" that is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 4:6

Obduracy reproached. There is a mingling of severity and pathos in this language of Jehovah addressed to Israel. The repetition of the reproach adds to its effectiveness and solemnity. As one calamity after another is described, and as all are represented as chastisements inflicted by Divine righteousness, the touching words are added, "Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord." I. THE WANDERINGS IMPLIED . In order that there may be a return to God, there must first have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 4:6-11

National calamities are Divine chastisements. Graphic and morally impressive is the catalogue of Divine judgments which the inspired prophet here draws up and puts upon record for the admonition of future ages. I. OF WHAT THESE CALAMITIES CONSIST . They are thus enumerated in the several verses. 1 . Famine. 2 . Drought. 3 . Blight. 4 . Pestilence. 5 . War. 6 . Destruction. Alas! from the beginnings of human history such have been the sad and weary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 4:6-11

God's government of the world a chastising government. "And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places" etc. In these verses the Almighty describes the various corrective measures which he had employed for effecting a moral reformation in the character of the Israelites. At the end of each chastising measure which he describes, he marks their obstinate impenitence with the expression, "Yet have ye not returned unto me." As if he had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 4:6-13

Judgment the Divine retort to human sin. This is the sad history of God's vain contendings with an incorrigible nation. In Amos 3:1-15 . is an account of the mercies by which he at first had tried to draw them. All that had failed utterly. They met privilege with inappreciation, friendship with rebuff, and favour with incredible disregard. Then he had changed his tactics. They would not be drawn, perhaps they might be driven. The experiment was worth the making, and the record of it is... read more

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