_For three transgressions of Moab_ Moab and Ammon being nearly related, (see Genesis 19:37,) and bordering upon each other, they are usually joined together in the threatenings of the prophets. _Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime To plaster the walls of his house with it_, as th... [ Continue Reading ]
_For three transgressions of Judah_, &c. Having denounced judgments against the heathen nations, he now proceeds to denounce them against God's professing people, who were more guilty and inexcusable, as sinning against greater light, and abusing greater advantages than those with which the heathen... [ Continue Reading ]
_For three transgressions of Israel_ Amos, having first prophesied against the Syrians, Philistines, &c., who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the twelve tribes, and who had occasionally become their enemies and oppressors; and having thus not only taught his countrymen that the providence of God exten... [ Continue Reading ]
_They lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge_ The Jews as well as the Romans used to lie along at their meals on couches, as appears by this verse, compared with Amos 6:4: a custom which was continued in after times as is evident by divers passages in the gospels, read in the original, whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them_ Namely, when they came out of Egypt. The Amorites include the rest of the Canaanites, and are here mentioned rather than the others, as being the mightiest nation of them all. Here the benefits which God had bestowed upon the Israelites are mentioned that it... [ Continue Reading ]
_I raised up your sons for prophets_ Such were Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and many others; _and of your young men for Nazarites_ Who, by devoting themselves to my service in a peculiar manner, and by observing peculiar rites, were an honour to you. _But ye gave the Nazarites wine_ Ye tempted the Nazarit... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold I am pressed under you_ Your sins have quite tired out my patience, and I am weary with bearing them: compare Isaiah 43:24; Malachi 2:17. In this sense the clause is understood by the LXX. and Vulgate. The marginal reading, however, is preferred by many commentators. Archbishop Newcome rende... [ Continue Reading ]