Verse 1

the LORD. One of the 134 places where the Sepherim say they altered "Jehovah" of the primitive text to "Adonai" (App-2). See App-4. Here it is combined with "eth = Jehovah Himself.

upon beside, or by.

the altar. Probably the same altar at Beth-al where Jeroboam had once stood (1 Kings 13:1). Compare Amos 7:13, lintel = capital. Render: "smite the capital, shake the foundations, cut them off [i.e. the pillars] by the head, all of them". and I will slay. This is the signification of the symbolical act. the last of them: i.e. the remnant of the People.

Verse 2

Though they dig, &c. Note the Figure of speech Catabasis (Ap". 6).

hell. Hebrew. Sheol = The grave. App-35. Compare Psalms 139:8, &c,

climb up. Compare Job 20:6. Jeremiah 51:53. Obadiah 1:4.

Verse 4

command the sword. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:33. Deuteronomy 26:25). App-92. Compare Ezekiel 5:12.

I will set Mine eyes, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 20:5). App-92. Compare Jeremiah 44:11.

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44. Compare Amos 3:6.

Verse 5

the Lord GOD, Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah. App-4. See note on Amos 1:8. dwell. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads dwelleth". flood. See notes on Amos 8:8.

Verse 6

stories = chambers above. Compare Psalms 104:3, Psalms 104:13,

troop = band: i.e. the blue vault.

in = over.

calleth. Compare Amos 5:8. The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. It.

is His name. Ref: to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:3). App-92.

Verse 7

children = sons.

saith the LORD [is] Jehovah"s oracle.

brought up Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 13:3, Exodus 13:9, Exodus 13:14, Exodus 13:16; Exodus 33:1. Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 6:21, &c.) App-92.

Caphtor = Crete. Ref, to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 2:23). App-92.

Kir. Supposed to be Lower Mesopotamia.

Verse 8

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

sinful. Hebrew. chata. App-44.

earth = ground, or soil. Hebrew adamah.

Verse 9

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

the least grain. Hebrew. tzeror. A usage common to-day with thefellahheen (see James Niel"s Palestine Explored, p. 250).

earth. Hebrew Wets. Not the same word as in Amos 9:8.

Verse 10

sinners. Hebrew. chata, as in Amos 9:8. prevent = surprise.

Verse 11

In that day. Passing to the subject of the future restoration (see the Structure). Quoted in Acts 15:14-18

of David. Erected on Zion by David (2 Samuel 6:17. Compare Amos 7:6) before the Temple was built on Moriah by Solomon. in Amos 7:7-9, it was seen to be "out of plumb", therefore on the point of falling. Here it is fallen down: hence the prophecy here given. In Acts 15 the time had come, had the People obeyed Peter"s call in Amos 3:18-21. But it was finally rejected (Acts 28:25-28), and this prophecy, therefore, yet awaits its fulfilment.

Verse 12

may possess = may take possession of.

Edom. Compare Numbers 24:18. 2 Samuel 8:14.

heathen = nations.

which are called, &c.: or, on whom My name is called.

name : i.e. Israel

Verse 13

the plowman, &c. This shows that the fulfilment of this prophecy is yet in abeyance, for these temporal blessings were postponed on the rejection of the call to repentance in Acts 3:18-26. Compare Acts 28:25-58. Note the reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:5). App-92.

the mountains, &c. Compare Joel 3:18.

sweet wine = new wine. Hebrew. asis See App-27.

melt : i.e. dissolve into wine and oil. Figure of speech Hyperbole (App-6), for emphasis.

Verse 14

I will bring again. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:5). App-92. Compare Amos 5:11. Psalms 53:6. Jeremiah 30:3, Jeremiah 30:18; Jeremiah 31:23. Ezekiel 16:53; Ezekiel 39:25. Joel 3:1, Joel 3:2.

captivity = the captives. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for captives.

they shall build. Compare Isaiah 61:4; Isaiah 65:21. Jeremiah 30:18; Jeremiah 30:31, Jeremiah 30:36-40. Ezekiel 36:33-36; Ezekiel 37:25-28.

they shall plant. Compare Amos 5:11. Isaiah 62:8, Isaiah 62:9; Isaiah 65:21. Ezekiel 28:26. Hosea 2:21-23. Joel 8:18, &c.

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.

Verse 15

I will plant. Ref to Pent, (Leviticus 25:18, Leviticus 25:19; Leviticus 26:5). App-92.

their land. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 13:15, &c.) App-92. Compare Isaiah 60:21. Jeremiah 24:6; Jeremiah 32:41. Ezekiel 34:28; Ezekiel 37:25. Joel 3:20. Micah 4:4.

no more be pulled up. Compare Jeremiah 32:41, margin

which I have given them. This is the ground of" all the blessing. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 32:7, Numbers 32:9. Deuteronomy 3:18; Deuteronomy 26:15; Deuteronomy 28:52). App-92. Compare Joshua 2:6, Joshua 2:15; Joshua 18:3; Joshua 23:13, Joshua 23:15. Jeremiah 25:5. The so-called "Priests "Code", according to most modern critics, was compiled by the priests in Babylon, and most of the Pentateuch is "post-exilic" (see Encycl. Brit., eleventh (Cambridge) edition, vol. 3, p. 852, col. I). Yet it was well known to Amos (cent. 7 B.C.) Compare Amos 2:4, Amos 2:7, Amos 2:8, Amos 2:12; Amos 4:4, Amos 4:5; Amos 5:12, Amos 5:21, Amos 5:22; Amos 9:4, &c.

saith = hath said.