Amos 7:17 - Exposition

With this denunciation compare that of Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 20:3 , etc.) against Pashur. As husband, as father, as citizen, Amamah shall suffer grievously. Shall be an harlot in the city. Not play the harlot willingly, but suffer open violence when the city is taken (comp. Isaiah 13:16 ; Lamentations 5:11 ). And thy daughters. This would be abnormal cruelty, as the Assyrians usually spared the women of conquered towns. Shall be divided by line. Amaziah's own land was to be portioned out to strangers by the measuring line ( Zechariah 2:2 ). A polluted land; an unclean land ; i.e. a Gentile country. Amaziah himself was to share his countrymen's captivity. The sins and idolatry of the people are often said to defile the land; e.g. Le 18:25; Numbers 35:33 ; Jeremiah 2:7 . Shall surely go into captivity; or, be led away captive. Amos repeats the very words which formed part of his accusation (verse 11), in order to show that God's purpose is unchanged, and that he, the prophet, must utter the same denunciation (see the accomplishment, 2 Kings 17:6 ).