Amos 9:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 9:1-10

We have here the justice of God passing sentence upon a provoking people; and observe, I. With what solemnity the sentence is passed. The prophet saw in vision the Lord standing upon the altar (Amos 9:1), the altar of burnt-offerings; for the Lord has a sacrifice, and multitudes must fall as victims to his justice. He is removed from the mercy-seat between the cherubim, and stands upon the altar, the judgment-seat, on which the fire of God used to fall, to devour the sacrifices. He stands upon... read more

John Gill

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

And though they go into captivity before their enemies ,.... Alluding to the manner in which captives are led, being put before their enemies, and so carried in triumph; see Lamentations 1:5 ; though some think this refers to their going voluntarily into a foreign country, in order to escape danger, as Johanan the son of Kareah with the Jews went into Egypt, Jeremiah 43:5 ; in whom Kimchi instances: thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them ; or them that kill with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 9:4

I will set mine eyes upon them for evil - I will use that very providence against them which before worked for their good. Should they look upward, they shall see nothing but the terrible lightning-like eye of a sin-avenging God. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 9:4

Verse 4 Now when he says, If they go into captivity among their enemies, I will there command the sword to slay them, some interpreters confine this part to that foolish flight, when a certain number of the people sought to provide for their safety by going down into Egypt. Johanan followed them, and a few escaped, (Jeremiah 43:2) but according to what Jeremiah had foretold, when he said, ‘Bend your necks to the king of Babylon, and the Lord will bless you; whosoever will flee to Egypt shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-4

A quest which none may elude. We have here a vivid picture of a dreadful subject. The prophet makes a new departure in his mode of figuration. In other visions we saw the judgments of Heaven painted in terror-moving forms; the mighty forces of nature let loose and working destruction on sinners of men. Here we see, not judgments merely, but the Judge himself, active for destruction, fulminating his thunders, brandishing his two-edged sword, and spreading devastation where his anger rests.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-4

Inevitable judgment. The thought of the Divine omniscience is a welcome thought to the friend, the child of God. But to the impenitent transgressor no thought is so distasteful, so distressing. If he cannot persuade himself that there is no God, he at all events hopes that the Divine eye does not rest upon him, that he is overlooked and forgotten. This vain refuge of sinners is discovered and destroyed by the revelation of this prophecy. The idolatrous temple shall be dismantled, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-4

Great sins, great calamities, great efforts. "I saw the Lord standing upon the altar," etc. "This chapter commences with an account of the fifth and last vision of the prophet, in which the final ruin of the kingdom of Israel is represented. This ruin was to be complete and irreparable; and no quarter to which the inhabitants might flee for refuge would afford them any shelter from the wrath of the omnipresent and almighty Jehovah." The prophet in vision sees the Almighty standing upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-10

§ 6 . The fifth vision displays the Lord standing by the altar and commanding the destruction of the temple ( Amos 9:1 ). No one shall escape this judgment, flee whither he will ( Amos 9:2-4 ); for God is Almighty ( Amos 9:5 , Amos 9:6 ). Their election shall not save the guilty Israelites; still they shall not be utterly destroyed ( Amos 9:7-10 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:4

Captivity itself, in which state men generally, at any rate, are secure of their lives, shall not save them from the sword (Le 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:65 , etc. comp. Tobit 1:17, 18; 2:3, where we see that the murder of captives was not unusual). The prophet looks forward to the Assyrian deportation. For evil. The people are indeed subject to God's special attention, but only in order to punish them ( Psalms 34:15 , Psalms 34:16 ; Jeremiah 44:11 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:4

The lidless eye. God is not an absentee. He sits at the helm of things. He administers the affairs of the world which he has made. All creatures he takes cognizance of, determines their destiny, controls their actions. His kingdom ruleth over all. And this rule is moral. Under it condition takes the colour of character. God is pure to the pure, froward to the froward ( Psalms 18:26 ). This transgressors know to their bitter cost. I. GOD 'S EYE FOLLOWS THE WICKED . In one... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 9:1-10

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 9:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 9:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 9:4

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