Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 8:6

6 That we may buy the poor for silver , and the needy for a pair of shoes , yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat.

Either it speaks the aim of these men in oppressing the poor thus, that they might at last buy their persons for Servants and Drudges, or else it speaks the reason why they would have new Moons and Sabbaths over, that they might to Market to buy the poor.

i. e. a little silver, at undervalue, as Amos. 2.6.

This explains the former, and shews us that these cruel oppressours lay in wait for the needy to buy them for a very trifle, when these poor owed but for a very little and cheap Commodity, as suppose a pair of shoes, these merciless men would take the advantage against them, and make them sell themselves to pay the Debt. All which practices are most directly against the Law of God.

That which is fitter for hogs to mousle, or for horses to eat, the poor must at dear rate either buy or starve, and this another kind of oppression, corrupted Wares at excessive rates, sold to those that were necessitous.

Marginal references: chap. [illegible: 2 letters]