Amos 3:9 - Exposition

Ashdod ( Amos 1:8 ). God bids the prophets ( publish ye ) summon the inhabitants of the palaces of Philistia (of which Ashdod is the representative) and Egypt, because they had been the chief enemies of his people, and in their sight had mighty works been wrought for Israel; thus they could appreciate her iniquity and ingratitude. Some, translating al "upon," say that the prophets are bidden publish their message upon the flat roofs of the palaces, that it may be heard far and near. Keil thinks that not all the inhabitants of the town are summoned, but only those who live in the palaces, who alone "could pronounce a correct sentence as to the mode of life commonly adopted in the palaces of Samaria." But this seems an unnecessary refinement. The Septuagint reads, ἀναγγείλατε χώραις ἐν ἀσουρίοις , "Proclaim ye to the regions among the Assryians," doubtless by some mistake of copyists. Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria. The city of Samaria was built on a hill which stands alone in the valley or basin, but it is surrounded by higher mountains , from whence, though at some distance, spectators could look down into its streets, and, as from the seats in an amphitheatre, behold the iniquities transacted there. Their implacable enemies, the Philistines, and those they were then courting, the Egyptians ( Hebrews 7:11 ; Hebrews 12:1 ), are alike called to witness this spectacle. Tumult ; the disorder, where might makes right. LXX ; θαυμαστὰ πολλὰ , "many marvels," as if the sight were a surprise even to the heathen. The oppressed ( ashuqim ); better, the oppressions, i.e. of the weak at the hands of the powerful (comp. Amos 2:6 ; Amos 4:1 ). It was to the eternal disgrace of Israel that there were doings in her cities which the very heathen would condemn.