Amos 6:1-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 6:1-7

The first words of the chapter are the contents of these verses; but they sound very strangely, and contrary to the sentiments of a vain world: Woe to those that are at ease! We are ready to say, Happy are those that are at ease, that neither feel any trouble nor fear any, that lie soft and warm, and lay nothing to heart; and wise we think are those that do so, that bathe themselves in the delights of sense and care not how the world goes. Those are looked upon as doing well for themselves... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:1

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion ,.... Or "secure" F3 השאננים "secure sedentibus", Munster; "securos", Mercerus, Castalio, Burkius. there; which was a strong hold, the city of David, the seat of the kings of Judah; where their court was kept, and the princes and chief men resided and thought themselves safe, the place being well fortified with walls, towers, and bulwarks: or "at ease"; that is, in easy, prosperous, comfortable circumstances of life; as Job was before his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:2

Pass ye unto Calneh, and see ,.... What is become of that city, which was in the land of Shinar, an ancient city, as early as the days of Nimrod, and built by him, and was with others the beginning of his kingdom, Genesis 10:10 ; it belonged to Babylon, and is by Jarchi here interpreted by it, being put for Babel, as he supposes. According to Jerom F7 Quaest. in Gen. fol. 66. M. , it is the same city, sometimes called Seleucia, in his days Ctesiphon; very probably it had been lately... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:3

Ye that put far away the evil day ,.... The day of Israel's captivity, threatened by, the Lord, and prophesied of by the prophets; by this prophet, and by Hoshea and others: this they endeavoured to put out of their minds and thoughts, and supposed it to be at a great distance, yea, hoped it never would be; and like the Jews, with respect to their captivity, and the destruction of their city, said it was not near, but prolonged, yea, would never come to pass, Ezekiel 11:3 ; so some men put... read more

John Gill

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

That lie upon beds of ivory ,.... That were made of it, or inlaid with it, or covered with it, as the Targum; nor was it improbable that these were made wholly of ivory, for such beds we read of: Timaeus says F18 Apud Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 12. c. 29. , the Agrigentines had beds entirely made of ivory; and Horace F19 "----Rubro ubi cocco Tincta super lectos cauderet vestis eburnos". Horat. Serm. l. 2. Satyr. 6. v. 102. also speaks of such beds: and if any credit can be given to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:5

That chant to the sound of the viol ,.... Or psaltery; an instrument of twelve cords, and that gave twelve sounds, as Josephus F24 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 19. sect. 3. says, being stricken with the fingers; and to these sounds these men chanted or quivered, made like sounds with their voice, which they raised higher or lower, according to the sound of the instrument: they "particularized", as the word signifies F25 הפורטים "particularizantes", Montanus; "qui particularia habent... read more

John Gill

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

That drink wine in bowls ,.... Not in small cups or glasses, but in large bowls, that they might drink freely, even to drunkenness; hence we read of the drunkards of Ephraim, or the ten tribes, Isaiah 28:1 ; or "drink in bowls of wine"; which is much to the: same sense. The Targum is, "that drink wine in silver phials;' and anoint themselves with the, chief ointments ; which Jarchi says was balsam, and the best is that which grew about Jericho; this they did not for moderate... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:1

Wo to them that are at ease in Zion - For השאננים hashshaanannim , "who dwell at ease," it has been proposed to read השעננים hashshaanannim , "who confidently lean," the two words differing only in one letter, an ע ain for an א aleph . They leaned confidently on Zion; supposing that, notwithstanding their iniquities they should be saved for Zion's sake. Thus the former clause will agree better with the latter, "leaning upon Zion," and "trusting in the mountain of Samaria."... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:2

Pass ye unto Calneh - This is, says Calmet, the Ctesiphon on the river Tigris. Hamath - The same as Emesa. Hamath was a city on the Orontes, in Syria. Gath - A well-known town, and head of one of the five seignories of the Philistines. Be they better - You have no more reason to expect exemption from the consequences of your sins than they had. They have been punished; so shall you. Why then will ye trust in their gods, that could not save their own cities? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:3

Ye that put far away the evil day - Wo to you who will not consider the day of approaching vengeance; but continue in your iniquity, and harden your hearts. Ye bring your iniquities nearer, and still suppose your punishment to be at a greater distance. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 6:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:3

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:5

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:3

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