Amos 2:7 - Exposition

That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor. This is the second charge—oppression of the poor. The obscure expression in the text is capable of two explanations. Hitzig, Pusey, Trochon, assume that its meaning is that in their avarice and cupidity the usurers or tyrannous rich men grudge even the dust which the poor man strews upon his head in token of his sorrow at being brought to so low a state. But this seems unnatural and farfetched, and scarcely in harmony with the simple style of Amos. The other explanation, supported by Kimchi, Sehegg, Keil, and Knabenbauer, is preferable. These oppressors desire eagerly to see the poor crushed to the earth, or so miserable as to scatter dust on their heads. The poor ( dal , not the same word as in verse 6); depressed, as brought low in condition. The Septuagint joins this with the previous clause, "And the poor for sandals, the things that tread on the dust of the earth, and smote on the heads of the needy." The Vulgate gives, Qui conterunt super pulverem terrae capita pauperum, "Who bruise the heads of the poor on the dust of the earth." Turn aside the way of the meek. They thwart and hinder their path of life, and force them into crooked and evil ways. Or way , according to Kimchi, may mean "judicial process," as Proverbs 17:23 . This gives, to the clause much the same meaning as Proverbs 17:6 . The meek are those who are lowly and unassuming (see note on Zephaniah 2:3 ). And a man and his father will go in unto the same maid; LXX ; εἰσεπορεύοντο πρὸς τὴν αὐτὴν παιδίσκην . The Vulgate, which omits "the same," is closer to the Hebrew, Et filius ac pater ejus ierunt ad puellam , though the Greek doubtless gives the intended meaning. This sin, which was tantamount to incest, was virtually forbidden (Le Proverbs 18:8 , Proverbs 18:15 ; Proverbs 20:11 ). Some (as Ewald, Maurer, Gandell) see here an allusion to the organized prostitution in idol temples ( Hosea 4:14 ), but this seems unnecessary. To profane my holy Name (Le 22:32). Such crimes dishonoured the God who called them his people, so that to them could be applied what St. Paul says ( Romans 2:24 ), "The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you" (comp. Le Proverbs 20:3 ; Ezekiel 36:20 , Ezekiel 36:23 ). The word lemaan, "in order that," implies that they committed these sins, not through ignorance, but intentionally, to bring discredit upon the true faith and worship.