Amos 9:12 - Exposition

That they (the true children of Israel) may possess the remnant of Edom; i.e. those who were nearest in blood, and yet most hostile of all men. David had subdued the Edomites ( 2 Samuel 8:14 ; 1 Kings 11:16 ), and Amaziah had inflicted a great slaughter upon them ( 2 Kings 14:7 ); but later they recovered their independence ( 2 Kings 16:6 , where "Edomites" should be read for "Syrians;" 2 Chronicles 28:17 ), and were actively hostile against the Jews. It was on this account that they were emphatically denounced by Obadiah. "The remnant" is mentioned because, according to the threat in Amos 1:11 , Amos 1:12 , they would be punished so that only a few would escape. The Septuagint gives , ὅπως ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τὼν ἀνθρώπων , [ τὸν κύριον , Alexandrian], "That the remnant of men may earnestly seek the Lord," regarding Edom as a representative of aliens from God, and altering the text to make the sense more generally intelligible, This version, which reads "Adam," men, instead of "Edom," is endorsed by St. James. Which are called by my Name; "over whom my Name hath been called". This is closer to the Hebrew; but the meaning is much the same, viz. all those who are dedicated to God and belong to him being by faith incorporated into the true Israel. The Messianic kingdom shall be established in order that salvation may be extended to all hastens who embrace it. Saith the Lord; is the saying of Jehovah. This is added to show the immutability of the promise. The covenant God himself hath predicted it.