Amos 6:1

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 6:1

Verse 1 The Prophet now directs his discourse not only to the Israelites, to whom he was especially given as an instructor and teacher, but includes the Jews also: and yet he addresses not all indiscriminately, but only the chief men, who were intent on their pleasures, as though they were exempt from the common miseries: for he does not, as many suppose, reprove here luxury and pride only; but we must remember a fact connected with their case, — that they were not awakened by God’s judgments;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 6:1

Them that are at ease in Zion; living in fancied security and self-pleasing ( Isaiah 32:9 , Isaiah 32:11 ; Zephaniah 1:12 ). Judah is included in the denunciation, because she is equally guilty; the whole covenant nation is sunk in the same dangerous apathy. Septuagint, τοῖς ἐξουθενοῦσι σιών , "them that set at naught Zion." The same rendering is found in the Syriac, and can be supported by a small change in the Hebrew. It may have been intended thus to confine the announcement... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 6:1

Sorrow dogging the secure. Human life is proverbially uncertain. "We know not what shall be on the morrow," whether we ourselves shall be. "The unexpected" is always happening; and the lesson of this is—take nothing for granted that is still future. In the religious sphere the application of this principle would put an end to carnal security, and at this object our text aims. As to the security denounced here, notice— I. THE SPHERE OF IT . "In Zion." This is often in Scripture... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 6:1

Religious indifference and false security. Amos was a native of the southern kingdom, but his ministry was mainly to Israel. His impartiality appears in the censures and reproaches which he addresses, as in this passage, to both Judah and Samaria. But the description applies to professing Christians today as accurately as if it had just then been written, and had been explicitly applied to such. How many who are called to devotion and diligence are "at ease," are "confident," or "secure"! ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 6:1-6

With a second woe the prophet denounces the chiefs of the whole nation, who were quite satisfied with the present state of things, and, revelling in luxury, feared no coming judgment. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 6:1-6

Woeful ease. "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!" etc. "This chapter embraces the character and punishment of the whole Hebrew nation. The inhabitants of the two capitals are directly addressed in the language of denunciation, and charged to take warning from the fate of other nations ( Amos 6:1 , Amos 6:2 ). Their carnal security, injustice, self-indulgence, sensuality,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 6:1-7

Wantonness the way to woe. God's thoughts are not as ours. He sees things all round; we see but one side of them. He sees the inner reality of things; we see but their outward semblance. He sees the tendency and ultimate result of things; we but guess their probable tendency, knowing nothing of distant results whatever. Hence, in their estimates of life and of good, "the wisdom of men is foolishness with God." The passage before us is an illustration of this The conditions of being... read more

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