Verse 1

the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. App-4.

behold . . . lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

formed = was forming.

grasshoppers = locusts. Compare Nahum 3:17.

the king"s mowings. Exacted by the king from the People (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Kings 18:1). These are the symbols of the army of Amos 6:14.

Verse 2

by whom shall Jacob arise? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac and Vulgate, read "who shall raise up Jacob"? "

Jacob. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6, for the whole nation

Verse 3

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

repented. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:36). App-92. Compare Jonah 3:10.

Verse 4

called, &c. = was calling for fire, to contend [with Israel].

did eat up a part. would have eaten up the land.

a part. Hebrew. hahelek, with "eth = the very portion [of the earth given to Israel). Compare Micah 2:4.

Verse 7

the LORD. One of the 134 passages in which the Sopherim say they altered Jehovah of the primitive text to Adonai (App-32).

made, &c.: i. e [made perpendicular] by a plummet.

plumbline = plummet. Occurs only here.

Verse 8

Amos. Note this personal touch.

set, &c. i.e. measure [the doings of Israel] with the plummet of righteousness

and judgment. Compare 2 Kings 21:12. Isaiah 28:17; Isaiah 34:11. Lamentations 2:8, &c.

pass by them = forgive them.

Verse 9

high places. Used for idolatrous altars, &c.

Isaac . . . Israel. Used only by Amos in this sense. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the nation of Israel. Compare Pe. Psalms 105:9, Psalms 105:10. Jeremiah 33:26, &c.

I will rise against, &c. Fulfilled in 2 Kings 15:10. Jeroboam. Compare Hosea 1:4.

Verse 10

the priest. The idolatrous priest.

Beth-el. Compare Amos 3:14; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:5, Amos 5:6.

conspired = formed a conspiracy; the calves being connected with Israel"s state policy (1 Kings 12:26-33).

in the midst, &c. : i.e. openly. Compare Amos 7:8.

bear = endure.

Verse 11

Jeroboam shall die, &c. This charge was not true. Compare Acts 17:6-7; Acts 24:5. Note what Amaziah omitted to repeat.

Verse 12

into. Judah. Though belonging to Judah (Amos 1:1) Amos was a prophet to Israel.

Verse 13

chapel = sanctuary, court: or, palace.

Verse 14

a prophet"s son. Prophets were not hereditary as priests were. Compare Hebrews 1:1.

herdman. See notes on Amos 1:1,

gatherer = preparer.

Verse 15

took me: i.e., called me Prophets were called by Jehovah; not born prophets, or made prophets by man. See notes on 1 Samuel 10:5. Hebrews 1:1.

as I followed, &c. Compare Psalms 78:70, Psalms 78:71.

Verse 16

drop not, the. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:2). App-92. Compare Ezekiel 20:46; Ezekiel 20:21, Ezekiel 20:2. Micah 2:6, margin

Verse 17

thus saith the LORD. See note on Amos 1:3,

be an harlot: i.e. become a victim to the lust of the invader.

land = soil. Hebrew adamah.

divided, &c.: i e. partitioned.

in a polluted land = on polluted (i e. heathen) soil,

forth of = from upon.