Amos 8:4-7

4-7. The greedy merchants of Israel.

Hear this See on Amos 3:1.

Swallow up the needy Literally, pant after (Amos 2:7). Here also Jerome renders ‘crush.” The verb is explained in the next clause.

Even to make the poor of the land to fail Literally, and better, and are for making the poor of the land to cease; that is, they seek to make an end of them as free men and property holders. To accomplish this end various means might be employed, in this case commercial dishonesty. The construction is somewhat unusual; according to G.-K., 114p, the thought of the whole verse may be expressed as follows: “O ye that pant to make an end of the needy and of the poor of the land.”

Amos 8:5 shows that the prophet thinks primarily of the greedy merchants (but compare Amos 2:7; Isaiah 5:8-10; Micah 2:2).

New moon… sabbath See on Hosea 2:11.

When will… be gone It appears from the present passage that on sacred days ordinary pursuits of life were discontinued; this the greedy merchants considered a foolish interruption of their profits.

Set forth Literally, open up, that is, for sale. In various ways they took advantage of their customers; they gave scant measure, charged exorbitant prices, “doctored” the scales, and adulterated the goods.

Ephah The measure in which they measured the grain for the buyer (see on Hosea 3:2); this they made small, perhaps by putting a false bottom in it.

Shekel Before money was coined a weight was used for the weighing of gold and silver. Its value has been variously estimated; the most commonly received estimate gives the value of a shekel of gold as approximately equivalent to $10.80; of silver, 60 cents (see on Hosea 3:2). This weight they made heavier, so as to get more than the legitimate price. In 1890 Dr. Chaplin found, on the site of the ancient Samaria, a weight which is thought, from an inscription on it, to represent a quarter of a shekel. Its weight is greater than that of a legitimate quarter of a shekel; and W.R. Smith has suggested that it is one of the heavy shekels condemned by Amos.

Falsifying the balances by deceit R.V., “dealing falsely with balances of deceit”; literally, perverting the balances of deceit. They tampered with the scales in order to deceive the buyer, and thus to take advantage of him.

Amos 8:6 expresses the motive which caused the merchants to wish for the resumption of business; they sought to get under their control the poor and the needy.

Buy As slaves, when the poor found themselves unable to meet their financial obligations (Leviticus 25:39).

For silver The money which the poor owed them.

A pair of shoes See on Amos 2:6.

Refuse Literally, that which falls, that is, through the sieve the chaff. It is worthless, but they mix it with good grain and sell it.

Amos 8:6 is rejected by several modern commentators as being unnecessary and out of harmony with the context. Marti says, “The connection of 6a with Amos 8:4-5 is unintelligible; the rich corn merchants are not interested in buying the poor and needy, but rather in selling their grain and securing for it the highest price.” However, the one does not exclude the other, and the objection cannot be considered conclusive. While 6b does not follow quite naturally upon 6a, it also fits in the prophet’s thought.