Amos 5:12

For I know how manifold are your transgressions, and how mighty are your sins Jehovah's knowledgeof what they imagine He is ignorant of (Psalms 73:11; Job 22:13), is the ground of the sentence expressed in Amos 5:11.

they afflict the just Amos 2:6; Amos 3:9 f., &c.

they take a bribe a ransom or price of a life, the proper meaning of the word (kôphernot shôḥad); see e.g. Exodus 21:30, and especially Numbers 35:31, where the Israelites are strictly forbidden to "take a ransom (kôpher)" for the life of a murderer. But here the venal judges are represented as accepting such a -kôpher"; thus the rich murderer was acquitted, while the innocent, if unable to pay the price which the judge demanded, could get no redress for his wrongs.

turn aside the needy in the gate The -gate," as Amos 5:10: "turn aside" (sc. from their right, Isaiah 10:2), as Isaiah 29:21; Malachi 3:5.