Amos 6:4-7 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 6:4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:7

Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive ,.... That is, these men, who were the first and chief in the nation, who would not believe the day of Israel's captivity would ever come; or, however, had very distant apprehensions of it; but indulged and gratified their several senses of tasting, hearing, smelling, in a carnal way, and had no sympathy with and compassion upon their afflicted brethren; these should be the first the enemy should lay hold upon, and carry... read more

Adam Clarke

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

That lie upon beds of ivory - The word הוי hoi , wo, is understood at the beginning of each of the first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth verses. The beds mentioned here may be either sofas to recline on at table, or beds to sleep on; and these among the ancients were ornamented with ivory inlaid. They were called lectos eburatos by Plautus, lectos eburnos by Horace, "ivory beds." Probably those ornamented with shells, or mother-of-pearl, may be intended. Several works of this kind... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:5

And invent to themselves instruments of music, like David - See the note on 1 Chronicles 23:5 ; and see especially the note on 2 Chronicles 29:25 ; (note). I believe that David was not authorized by the Lord to introduce that multitude of musical instruments into the Divine worship of which we read, and I am satisfied that his conduct in this respect is most solemnly reprehended by this prophet; and I farther believe that the use of such instruments of music, in the Christian Church, is... read more

Adam Clarke

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

That drink wine in bowls - Perhaps the costliness of the drinking vessels, more than the quantity drank, is that which is here reprehended by the prophet. Drinking vessels of the most costly materials, and of the most exquisite workmanship, are still in use; and as to precious ointments and perfumes among the Jews, we have a proof that the contents of one small box was worth three hundred denarii, at least seven pounds ten shillings sterling. See the case in the Gospel, John 12:5 ; (note),... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:7

With the first that go captive - The house of Israel shall be carried into captivity before the house of Judah. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 4 Amos still pursues the reproof we have noticed at the beginning of the chapter, — that the chief men, of whom he speaks, cast away from them all cares and anxieties, and indulged in pleasures, while the whole country was miserably distressed. We must ever bear in mind what I have already said, — that luxury is not simply reprehended by the Prophet, as some incorrectly think, without sufficiently considering what is said, for it is not what the Prophet treats of; but he upbraids the... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 6:7

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:5

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:7

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

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