Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 1

THE words of Amos , who was among the herdmen of Tekoa , which he saw concerning Israel , in the days of Uzziah king of Judah , and in the dayes of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel two years before the earth-quake .

The Holy Ghost doth in this expression comprehensively take in all the Sermons, Visions, and Predictions, which Am[illegible: 1 letter]s preach'd, and publish'd; all the Exhortations to duty, the Menaces against sins, the warnings of Dangers coming, and the promises of Mercy to them that hear and obey his words. Vid. Hag. 1.12. and so what Ieremiah preach'd to his auditors are the words of Ieremiah, chap. 1.1. and the Instructions and Counsel of Solomon are Eccl. 1.1. the words of the Preacher. Both the things spoken, and the words wherein they are spoken are included.

Who so think this was father to the Prophet Isaiah either discern not the difference that is in the two Hebrew words, or pronounce hastily without Considering what each is in the Hebrew, in which Tongue these words have but two Letters the same▪ i. e. M and O. the other are quite different; as also is the signification of each; for the one imports strength or might, the other imports a barthen or heavy weight.

Or shepherds, but whether one of the meaner, or one of the chiefer, whether a Master Herdman or a Servant, the word imports the former, yet because the Scripture doth not say, we shall not enquire, since it conduceth little to our profiting, nor will it adde to his Authority, since 'tis God who sent him.

Whether it belonged to Zabulon, Asher, or Iudah is not much material, though this last be most likely, for 2 Chron. 11.5, 6. we read of Rehoboams building Fortresses in Iudah, among which Tekoa is mention'd. It was situate on a Hill on the North of Iudah; as a learned pen describeth it.

Received by Revelation, this tells us that the things as well as words were to be understood, when 'tis said, that these were the words of Amos.

The Kingdom of the Ten Tribes revolted from the House of David, and now under the Government of Iehu's great Grandson.

Called also Azariah who was smitten with a Leprosie for intruding into the Priests Office, [illegible: 1 letter] Chron. 26.16, 19.

Including the Tribe of Benjamin, and such of the Levites as did adhere to the house of David, the Kingdom of the house of David.

Not Son of Nebat, but Grand-son of Iehu.

Who had some Successes against Syria according to the Prophesie of Elisha, by which successes Israel was rais'd from a declining, to a thriving, prosperous State.

See let. f.

Of which, onely this Text, and Zech. 14.5. do make particular mention, and where somewhat is spoken of it; which see. It is the Tradition of the Iews that this Earthquake happen'd when Vzziah Usurpt the Priests work and offered incense in the Temple, against which violation of Divine Rites God testified thus from Heaven say they. Farther than this we need not enquire in this matter. It was a great and dismal Earthquake, and perhaps by this God did smite the Winter and Summer houses, as chap. 3.14. however as 'twas foretold, two years before it came, so we are sure it did come according to the time prefix'd by the Lord.

Marginal references: [illegible: 2 letters]ap. 7.14.; [illegible: 1 word]. 1.1.; [illegible: 1 word]. 14.5.

2 And he said, the LORD will roar from Zion , and utter his voice from Jerusalem : and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn , and the top of Carmel shall wither .

Amos.

The Almighty and Eternal whom you of the Ten Tribes have forsaken, and thereby have provok'd to displeasure.

The Prophet alluding to what was dreadful, dangerous, and most rowsing to Shepherds, the roaring of an hungry Lion that comes out of his Den for prey, doth express the danger of Israel, and wou[illegible: 1 letter]d awaken them to a sense of it that they might prevent it by Repentance before the Lord tears them in pieces as a Lion tears his prey.

Either the Temple in opposition to Ieroboams Idolatrous [illegible: 1 letter]happels. Or intimating their defection and sin in leaving Sion for Dan and Bethel.

This explains and confirms the former Metaphorical expression of Gods wrath.

The City God had chosen where he dwelt, the seat of Gods instituted Worship in the matters of Religion, and the Royal Seat of the Kingdom as God had setled it, from which in both respects the Ten Tribes had revolted. This whole Paragraph you have Ioel 3.16. which see; and Ier. 25.30.

Where the Shepherds found convenient past[illegible: 1 letter] rage they pitcht their Tents, or built them Cottages, and dwelt therein, that they might attend the care of their Flocks for which they also made Folds. And this was the delight and wealth of these men; now by allusion to these Amos expresseth all the Wealth, Greatness, and Delightfulness of the Kingdom of Israel. Princes are in the Greek Dialect Shepherds of the People, People are the Flock; Towns and Cities are the habitations of both, and so the Scripture, Ier. 2.8. and 3.15. Ezek. 34.2, 7, 8, 9. Nah. 3.18. useth the expression; which see.

Be made desolate and reduced to a sad, mournful and lamentable state, in which men shall see nothing but matter of sadness and tears.

There were two places of this name, and though distant from each other, yet both very fruitful, and much used by Shepherds, the one was in the Northern parts of Canaan whither Elijah resorted, the other in Iudah the Southern parts of Canaan, now this was nearer Tekoa, better known to Amos, and therefore some think this to be here intended, but the other was in Israel which is here threatned, and therefore fitter to be the Emblem of the Ten Tribes, and meant here say others; which ever you choose 'tis no hard thing to accommodate it to the Prophets purpose of Carmel, Vid. Nah. 1.4.

Either blasted, or else dried up with drought, and turn'd into barrenness. So the whole Kingdoms of the people threatned, and of the Ten Tribes, though as fruitful and pleasant as Carmel should be made horrid and desolate as a dry and barren wilderness. Vid. Ioel 1.12. and 17.

3 Thus saith the LORD , For three transgressions of Damascus and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof: because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of Iron .

Amos speaks not by conjecture, or of his own head but as he comes in the Name of the Lord, so he assures us of it by this most solemn attestation.

This certain number is put for an uncertain, Three, i. e. many, especially when as here 'tis join'd with Four; their Transgressions are so multiplied, grown to such height and number.

It was the chief City of the Kingdom of Syria, and very antient, Abrahams steward was of this City, North-east from Canaan conquer'd by David, lost by Solomon, recover'd by Ieroboam the second, though soon after lost again, and was in Ahaz time the Seat Royal of Rezin whom Tiglath Pileser slew, 2 King. 16.9. while it was in its Power and greatness it mightily opprest Israel; it is here by a Synechdoche put for the whole Kingdom of Syria.

Some refer this to the suffering Damascus to be quiet; God threatens that she shall not have rest; others say 'tis a threat that God would not convert it, but leave the Syrians to their impenitent heart; but our Version is full and plain, it is a threat of punishment which they should certainly fall under. God would no longer continue to be patient and gracious towards such sinners, nor divert the menaced punishment foretold by the Prophet, deserved by the people, and which shall be executed by an impartial hand.

The Syrians comprized in the word Damascus, by a Synechdoche.

First gathered (as Husbandmen gather Sheafs into a Floor) next trod them under foot, beat them small, i. e. with utmost cruelty destroyed the Persons, Towns and Cities.

Of this name there was a great Mountain 50 miles in length, saith my Author, there was also a Country of this name, and a City possessed by the Reubenites, Gadites and Manassites; Now the Gilead in this Text is by a very usual figure put for the inhabitants of this Country and City, whom Hazael King of Syria, as was foretold by Eli[illegible: 1 letter]ha, 2 King. 8.12. did most barbarously murther, as appears by the words of this Text.

Rakes or Flailes, or Harrows or Saws, or heavy wheels of Iron, which soever of these were the Instruments intended, 'tis most certain it was a very barbarous and cruel manner of using them.

Marginal references: Isa. 8.4. & 17.1. Jer. 49.23. Zech. 9.1.; Or, yea for four.; Or, convert it, or, let it be quiet.; 2 King. 13.7. so ver. 6. &c.

4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad .

The Lord, avenger of mine oppressed Israel, Iehovah, as v[illegible: 2 letters]se 3. let. z.

Either literally understood, or figuratively Famine, Pestilence, Wars Forreign, or intestine, effects of Gods great, but just displeasure, which destroys all like fire.

The Family, or the material house in which he dwelt, or both; Hazael's stately dwelling place should be consumed by fire, and his whole Family be cut off.

Eat up, so as to leave nothing remaining of either.

The Royal Palaces, or those that descended from Hazael, and dwelt in them.

Whether this were some one of the Syrian Kings be[illegible: 1 letter]ore Hazael, or the Benhadad slain by Hazael, or Son and Successour to Hazael is uncertain, nor can we know particularly who this was by this name Benhadad, which to the Syrian Kings was a common name, as Pharaoh to the Antient Egyptian Kings, Caesar to the Roman Emperours, and Czar to the M[illegible: 1 letter]scovite at this day: Three Benhadads are mentioned in the Books of the Kings, as 1 Kings 15.18. and 2 King. 8.7. and 13.3.

Marginal references: Jer. 49.27.

5 I will break also the bar of Damascus , and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven , and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden : and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir , saith the LORD .

The mighty God, as verse 4. let. h.

Weaken and shake into pieces.

Literally the bar with which the City Gates were shut, and both fastened and strengthned, Iudge 16.3. Neh. 7.3. and Psal. 107.16. Metaphorically it contains all the Munitions, Fortresses and Strength of a place or people; so here.

Vid. verse 3. let. b. It is put here as before for the whole Kingdom, of which 'twas the Metropolis.

By the judgments of War, Pestilence, Famine, or diseases, all commissioned to do this.

For inhabitants, the Singular used for the Plural▪ and may possibly denote the universal excision, and destruction of the Syrians, who shall perish as one man, see the like use of the single number, Exodus 8.6. Ieremiah 8.7.

It is possible this may refer to some peculiar manner which the Syrians observed in their choosing the Valley or Campagne for the place of Worship to their Idols; Israel cho[illegible: 1 letter]e high places, the Syrians chose Valleys 'tis likely, and therefore though beaten in the hills where they thought the Gods which Israel worshipt were strongest, yet are confident that in the Valleys where Syrians Worshipt their Gods, The Syrians would find their Gods the stronger, 1 King. 20.23. for this reason the Valley or Plain hath its name the Plain of Aven, of iniquity and vanity, because in it they Worshipped vain Gods, and their Religion was highest Idolatry, or it may be that Bikath-Aven was the name of some City of Syria well known then, but whose memory is perisht with it a great while ago.

A description of the King of Syria, whose Royal Dignity shall be no security to him.

Some Royal Seat, where the Kings of Sy [illegible: 2 letters]a did think good to build them a house or Palace, for pleasure and delights, and therefore gave it this name Beth-Eden, or the house of Pleasure; all their pleasant seats, the Kings Summer-houses shall be laid waste.

The main body of the subjects and people of Syria; this explains Damascus, verse 3. let. b. and in this verse.

C[illegible: 1 letter]rene of Egypt say some, but without any probability in this place, there was also Kir of Moab, Isa. 15.1 but this not Kir in the Text, this was Kir of Media, Isa. 22.6. now under the Assyrian yoke, and thither did Tiglath Pil[illegible: 1 letter]eser carry the conquered Syrians, 2 Kings 16.9. and placed them Captives in that barren Mountainous Countrey, about fifty years after it was foretold by Amos.

This gives us an assurance tha[illegible: 1 letter] all here threatned should at last be executed.

Marginal references: Or, Bikath-aven.; Or, Beth-eden.

6 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, For three transgressions of Gaza , and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof , because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom .

Vid. ver. 3. let. a.

The principal City of the Philistines, all the rest are to be understood, and here the City is named, but the Inhabitants are meant also with the City, antient and strong, the sea[illegible: 1 letter] of the Anakims, conquered by Iudah, yet lost soon after to the old inhabitants.

Vid. ver. 3. let. c.

This refers to the inroad by the Philistins and Arabians, made upon Iudah in the dayes of Iehoram, the son of Iehoshaphat, the violence and cruelty of which, is set forth 2 Chron. 21.16, 17. about the 3116th year of the World, and this is that which is here threatned, as a sin that should be punisht.

The posterity of Esau, who were inveterate enemies to the posterity of Iacob, and as ill neighbours are, so were these, the worst enemies the Iacobites had, as appears Ezek. 25.12. and Obad. 10.11, 12, 13, 14. and Psal. 137.7. These Edomites were ever ready to oppress, enslave, and tyrannize over the Iewes, if by any means they could by force or fraud get them into their hands.

Marginal references: Jer. 47.4, 5. Zeph. 2.4.; Or, carryed them away with an entire captivity.

7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza , which shall devour the palaces thereof .

Vid. ver. 4. let. h. i. desolating judgments exprest here by fire.

Which was strong, and a mighty defence to the City, this onely mentioned, but all the power and strength of Gaza, and of whole Palestina is here included, and the judgment denounced is here intended against all the munitions of that people.

Vid. verse 6. let. b.

Vid. verse 4. let. l.

Vid. verse 4. let. m. What is here foretold was fulfilled partly by Vzzi[illegible: 2 letters], 2 Chron. 26.6, 7, 8. and partly by Hezekiah, 2 Kings 1[illegible: 1 letter].8. and partly by Sennacherib, Isa. 20.1.

8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod , and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon , and I will turn mine hand against o Ekron , and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish , saith the Lord God .

Vid. verse 5. let. q. r.

Vid. Zeph. 2.4. and [illegible: 2 letters]ch. 9.6. This was one of the five Cities of the Philistines, and had its Roiteler. It was afterwards called Az[illegible: 1 letter]tus, Acts 8.40. In this City was Dagon's Temple and Statue, 1 Sam. 5.1, 2, 3. the like threat against A[illegible: 1 letter]hdod did Ieremiah denounce, chap. 25.16. with ve[illegible: 1 letter]se 20.

Vid. verse 5. let. t.

Another City of the Palisti[illegible: 2 letters] Pentarchy, and a very strong one, of which see Zeph. 2.[illegible: 1 letter]. and Zech. 9.5, 6. which shall perish with the King, and inhabitants thereof, which (besides what Salmaneser, Se[illegible: 2 letters]acheri[illegible: 1 letter] or S[illegible: 2 letters]go[illegible: 1 letter] Kings of Assyria did, and besides what Hezekiah did against A[illegible: 1 letter]hkelon) had some accomplishment in Nabopolassar, and Nebuchad[illegible: 2 letters]zars time, and in Alexander the great, to whom this City, as well as Gaza and Ashdod became subject.

Having destroyed these, saith the Lord, I will proceed on to Ek[illegible: 3 letters], another of the five Cities of the Philistines, strong, but as the rest, cruel to Israel, and very sinfully Idolatrous, worshipping Baal-Z[illegible: 1 letter]bub, for which this shall be destroyed also, see Z[illegible: 1 letter]p[illegible: 1 letter]. 2.4. and Zech. 9.5.

What remaineth either of Cities, Towns or People, not already expresly mentioned and threatned.

Be cut off, and wasted utterly.

When all this shall be done, though perhaps ye may not know, yet know ye this, that assuredly it shall be done in its time, for the Lord hath said it.

9 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four I will not turn away the punishment thereof : because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom , and remembred not the brotherly covenant .

Vid. [illegible: 1 word]. 3. let. z. a. c.

Vid. ver. 6. let. d. e. where these passages are already explained.

Which was between Hiram on the one part, and David and Solomon on the other part, on account whereof these Tyrians ought to have befriended the Iewes, and not betrayed them, so some; others thus, The nearness of Blood between Israel and Edom should have been remembred by the Tyrian[illegible: 1 letter], and they should therefore have perswaded Edom to carry it, as became a Brother, and by their mediation, the Tyrians should have made peace between Israel and E[illegible: 1 letter]om, but they did not so, they took advantage of times, and made Merchandize of Is[illegible: 1 letter]ael, sold such as either [illegible: 1 letter]led for refuge from other enemies, or such as fell into the hands of the Tyrians, joyning with Haza[illegible: 1 letter]l and Benbadad in their wars against Israel. What other sins Ty[illegible: 2 letters] added to this between this time and Nebuchad[illegible: 1 letter]ezzar's besieging and subduing Tyrus, were then punisht, when after 13 years siege it was taken, of which see Ezek. 26.27, and 28. [illegible: 1 word] where at large Tyrus is spoken of.

The Prophet having foretold the destruction of the Sy[illegible: 1 letter]ians, [illegible: 1 letter]nd the Philistines, for the[illegible: 1 letter]r inhumanity▪ and barbarous cruelty against the Iewes, he doth now in the same manner and word[illegible: 1 letter] foretell the destruction of the Tyrians.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]

10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall dev[illegible: 1 letter]ur the palaces thereof.

See verse 4. let. h. i. and verse 7. let. g.

Vid. verse 4. let. l. m.

11 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, For three transgressions of Edom , and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof : because he did pursue his brother with the sword , and did cast off all pity , and his anger did tear perpetually , and kept his wrath for ever .

See verse 3. let. a.

Vid. verse 6. let. e.

See verse 3. let. c.

Watch for, and laid hold on every occasion to oppress I[illegible: 1 letter]rael.

Iacob and his Posterity here are meant, as i[illegible: 1 letter] Esau and his Posterity; Esau personally considered was an enemy to the person of Iacob, and vow'd his ruin, forced him to [illegible: 1 letter]ly into Padan-Aram, and on his return thence frighted Ia[illegible: 2 letters]b too by coming out with four hundred men armed; the Posterity of Esau behaved themselves no whit more friendly.

Either joyning with the enemies, as Psal. 83.6, 7, 8. and 137.7. or setting a war on foot on their own account, as 2 Chron. 28.17. against them.

Common humanity was by Edom cast off, when Iacobs posterity needed it, as appears by their denyal of passage, and selling to them necessaries for their relief in Travelling by their Country, Numb. 20.14. to 21. nay, they arm'd against Israel, verse 20. Common pity would have forborn strangers travelling by our Coasts, how much more Brethren? The inhumanity of the Edomites appeared yet farther in this, that they were Chapmen to buy all the Captive Israelites, and to sell them to the Heathen for slaves, which is certainly the height of inhumanity;

Which is exprest by fierceness, and with vehemency,

as a ravenous, hungry and fierce Lyon tears the prey, so the word.

Though sometime this anger did intermit for want of opportunity, yet on every occasion it revived, and shewed it self again.

Least the fire of his wrath should extinguish, Edom did record, treasure up, and reserved the seeds of his displeasure, as men rake up fire in ashes to blow it up into a flame, such was Edom's wrath, a wrath that exceeded all bounds, as the word imports, and never ceast.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]

12 But I will send a fire upon Teman , which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

Vid. verse 4. let. h. i. and ver. 7. let. f.

Metropolis of Idumea, called from Esau's Grandson of that name; of this see Ezek. 25.13. and Hab. 3.3. And this here taken Synecdochically implyeth the Inhabitants of this City, and of the whole Country which shall perish, when the Judgment here threatned shall be executed.

Vid. verse 4. let. m.

A City bordering on M[illegible: 1 letter]ab and Idumaea, and which sometime belonged to the one▪ sometime to the other, as events of war determined. It may be there might be two Cities of this name, the one in Moab, the other in Edom, or Idumaea; however this was a very strong City, and one of the chiefest in the whole Kingdom, so that in the menace against Bozrah and Teman the strength and glory of Edom is threatned with an utter overthrow, as of that which is burnt up by fire.

Marginal references: Obad. 9.10.

13 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, For three transgressions of the children of Ammon , and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof: because they have ript up the women with child of Gilead , that they might enlarge their border .

This is the fourth Kingdom threatned: A people descended from Lot, by his younger Daughter, of near Kin to Israel ▪ and much like Neighbours, as the Edomites, bitter enemies to the Iewes; vid. Ezek. 25.2.

Vid. verse 4. let. z. a. c.

A most inhumane practice, yet usual in those times and places, of which mention is made 2 Kings 8.12. and 15.16. and Hosea 13.16. which see: When, or in wha[illegible: 1 letter] particular place this was done, is not reported in the History of the Bible. Probably 'twas when Hazael harrassed Israel, 2 Kings 8.12. with whom the Ammonites perhaps joined, but the thing was done, though we read not in any particular story when and where; all could not be written which was done in those Ages.

Vid. Hos. 6.8. and Zech. 10.10. Name both of City and Country about it, and very rich in excellent Spices and Balmes.

By destroying all that dwelt in it, and that hereafter might claim or pretend a title to it.

Marginal references: Jer. 49.1. [illegible: 1 letter]eph. 2.9.; Or, divided [illegible: 1 word] mountains.

14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah , and it shall devour the palaces thereof , with shouting in the day of battel , with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind .

Vid. verse 4. let. h. i. where the phrase is explained, as to the time when this Prophesie was fulfilled, 'twas partly when the Assyrian Kingdom flourisht, and partly by Nebuchadnezzar, as was foretold by Ezekiel, chap. 25.1, 2, 3. &c. which see.

The chief City of the Kingdom of Ammon, 2 Sam. 11.1. and 12.26. which by an usual figure comprizeth all the Ammonites, and all their strength, wealth and glory, all which shall be devoured.

Vid. verse 4. let. l.

A mixt and horrid noise of Trumpets, and alarms of War, with howlings of the distressed, groans of the dying, and acclamations of the Conquerours.

i. e. With irresistible force, and surprising swiftness, as the similitude imports.

15 And their king shall go into captivity, he , and his princes together, saith the LORD .

Or, Milchom, or Moloch the Idol of the Ammonites, so it signifieth, as well as King. I suppose the Prophet may intend both, their God as well as their King shall be carried captive, as was customary with Conquerours, 1 Sam. 5.2. and Isa. 46.2.

This repeats and confirms the threat, whether it refer to the Idol or the King.

Either Nobles and Ministers of State, who attend and serve the King, or the Priests and Ministers of the Idol, here both may be included, and the utter overthrow of their Affairs in Religion, and State be signified and foretold.

This, as elsewhere doth ratifie and ensure all; it shall so be, for God hath spoken it.