Covenant Accountability and Certain Judgment
Amos 3:1-15
Amo.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- המשפחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- העליתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exodus 20:2 (quotation): Covenant-opening formula declaring God as the one who brought Israel out of Egypt—same identifying motif used to address Israel's special relationship to Yahweh.
- Jeremiah 2:6 (verbal): Uses the same language about God bringing Israel up out of Egypt in a prophetic indictment of Israel's failure to acknowledge the LORD, echoing Amos' summons and charge.
- Isaiah 1:2 (structural): An opening prophetic summons ('Hear, O heavens...') that, like Amos 3:1, calls witnesses and introduces a divine discourse charging the people.
- Hosea 11:1 (thematic): Recalls God’s act of bringing Israel out of Egypt to characterize the special, parental relationship—used elsewhere by prophets to contrast election with subsequent unfaithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hear this word that the LORD has spoken concerning you, O people of Israel—concerning all the family that I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:
- Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O sons of Israel—concerning all the family that I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:
Amo.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- מכל: PREP
- משפחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- אפקד: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- עונתיכם: NOUN,m,pl,cs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:6 (thematic): Affirms Israel’s unique election as God’s chosen/holy people—parallels Amos’ claim that God ‘knew’ only Israel and thus holds them specially accountable.
- Deuteronomy 32:9 (thematic): ‘The LORD’s portion is his people’—similar language of God singling out Israel from the nations, underpinning both privilege and responsibility.
- Psalm 147:19-20 (verbal): States that God has declared his statutes to Jacob and ‘has not done so to any nation,’ echoing the idea that Israel’s unique knowledge/relationship brings distinct treatment.
- Isaiah 1:2-4 (thematic): God summons heaven and earth to witness Israel’s rebellion and announces judgment—parallels Amos’ pattern of special knowledge followed by denunciation and punishment.
- Romans 3:2 (allusion): Paul’s remark that Jews were entrusted with God’s oracles reflects the New Testament echo of Israel’s privileged knowledge—and the corresponding responsibility implied in Amos 3:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Only you I know of all the families of the earth; therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities.
- Only you I have known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will call you to account for all your iniquities.
Amo.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הילכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יחדו: ADV
- בלתי: NEG
- אם: CONJ
- נועדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 18:19 (verbal): Uses similar language of two agreeing — "if two of you agree" — echoing the idea that joint action or efficacy depends on mutual agreement.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (thematic): Affirms the advantage and necessity of partnership — "two are better than one" — paralleling Amos' concern with companionship and cooperative unity.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 (thematic): Warns against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers; thematically parallels Amos' point that walking together requires compatibility or agreement.
- Psalm 133:1 (thematic): Celebrates brethren dwelling together in unity — a positive expression of the harmonious walking together that Amos frames as dependent on agreement.
- Psalm 85:10 (thematic): Portrays virtues meeting in harmony ("mercy and truth have met"), a poetic parallel to Amos' focus on the necessity of agreement for two to walk together.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet?
- Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?
Amo.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הישאג: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אריה: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ביער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וטרף: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- היתן: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כפיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קולו: NOUN,m,sg,poss3ms
- ממענתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בלתי: NEG
- אם: CONJ
- לכד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Amos 3:8 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: the rhetorical question about the lion’s roar is answered—‘the lion has roared’—linking the animal image to YHWH’s voice and prophetic proclamation.
- Hosea 11:10 (verbal): Uses the same lion/roar motif of divine action—‘he will roar like a lion’—to portray God’s voice as a roaring lion that provokes fear and response.
- Nahum 2:11 (verbal): Employs similar vocabulary and imagery (‘den of the lion,’ ‘young lions’) to depict a lion’s lair and prey, echoing Amos’s picture of a lion roaring from its den in relation to judgment.
- Ezekiel 19:2–9 (thematic): Uses lion imagery as a metaphor for rulers and the consequences of their actions; like Amos, it links the lion-figure to judgment, loss, and divine retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl from his lair if he has taken nothing?
- Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?
Amo.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- התפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- צפור: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- פח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ומוקש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- היעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולכוד: CONJ+VERB,niphal,inf
- לא: PART_NEG
- ילכוד: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Proverbs 1:17 (verbal): Uses the same imagery of a bird and a net/trap—'the net is spread in the sight of any bird'—highlighting the folly of a trap without bait and the inevitability of capture when bait is present.
- Psalm 91:3 (verbal): Speaks of the 'snare of the fowler,' using the bird-and-snout/ trap motif; contrasts God's deliverance with the reality of snares set in the world.
- Jeremiah 5:26 (thematic): Describes the wicked laying snares and traps for others—similar metaphor of human plots and entrapment that justify divine judgment.
- Psalm 7:15-16 (thematic): Portrays the evildoer falling into the pit he dug—related theme of people being caught by the very snares they set up.
- Amos 3:6 (structural): Continues the series of rhetorical questions in Amos (e.g., 'Does a trumpet sound in a city and the people not be afraid?'), linking the trap metaphor to the larger argument that calamity is intentional and of divine origin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Does a bird fall into a snare on the ground when there is no bait? Does a trap spring up from the earth and capture nothing?
- Does a bird fall into a snare on the ground where there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground and yet catch nothing?
Amo.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- יתקע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שופר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחרדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אם: CONJ
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Joel 2:1 (verbal): “Blow the trumpet in Zion” — uses the same trumpet/alarm imagery to call people to fear and signal the coming day of the LORD (imminent judgment).
- Exodus 19:19 (verbal): At Sinai the sound of the trumpet grows louder and the people tremble — parallels the association of trumpet-sound with awe/fear before God’s action.
- Ezekiel 7:14 (thematic): Ezekiel’s trumpet-judgment theme (trumpet blown as warning and impending doom) parallels Amos’s linkage of alarms and divine causation of calamity.
- Habakkuk 3:16 (thematic): The prophet’s bodily trembling and fear on hearing of the LORD’s acts echoes Amos’s rhetorical question about people trembling when an alarm is sounded and calamity is God’s work.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a trumpet is blown in a city, does the people not tremble? If disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD done it?
- If a trumpet be blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD brought it about?
Amo.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- גלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- סודו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+poss:3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Numbers 12:6 (allusion): Speaks of God revealing himself to a prophet in visions and dreams—parallels Amos’s claim that the LORD discloses his purposes to his prophets.
- Hosea 12:10 (verbal): Declares that God has 'spoken by the prophets' and multiplied visions—language and idea closely echoing Amos’s statement about revelation through prophets.
- Joel 2:28-29 (thematic): Promises God will pour out his Spirit and people will prophesy and see visions—anticipates the pattern of divine disclosure through prophetic messengers.
- Deuteronomy 18:18-19 (structural): God promises to raise up a prophet and to put his words in the prophet’s mouth; establishes the principle that God’s will is conveyed through chosen spokesmen.
- Psalm 25:14 (verbal): Speaks of 'the secret/companionship of the LORD' being with those who fear him and that he makes his covenant known—echoes Amos’s language about the LORD revealing his 'secret' (sod) to his servants.
Alternative generated candidates
- Surely the LORD GOD does nothing without revealing his counsel to his servants the prophets.
- For the LORD God will do nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
Amo.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אריה: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שאג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יירא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ינבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Amos 1:2 (verbal): Same book and imagery: 'The LORD roars/from Zion'—both verses use the roaring-lion motif to signal God's threatening voice and action.
- Joel 3:16 (verbal): Joel likewise depicts the LORD 'roaring' from Zion and uttering his voice from Jerusalem; closely parallels Amos' picture of God's roar provoking fear and attendant prophecy.
- Hosea 11:10 (thematic): God is described as roaring 'like a lion,' causing trembling—echoes Amos' rhetorical question ('who will not fear?') about the effect of God's roar.
- Micah 3:8 (thematic): Micah speaks of being filled with the Spirit and power to 'declare' judgment—parallels Amos' claim that when the Lord has spoken, prophets are compelled to prophesy ('who can but prophesy?').
- Isaiah 31:4 (thematic): Isaiah compares the LORD to a lion whose roar presages decisive action against enemies; thematically related to Amos' use of the lion-roar image as divine summons and threat.
Alternative generated candidates
- The lion has roared—who will not be afraid? The LORD GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?
- The lion has roared—who will not fear? The LORD God has spoken—who can but prophesy?
Amo.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- השמיעו: VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ארמנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- באשדוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- ארמנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- האספו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הרי: NOUN,m,pl,def
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מהומת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- בתוכה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,fs
- ועשוקים: CONJ+PART,qal,ptcp,m,pl
- בקרבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Amos 5:11-12 (verbal): Same book and prophetic setting: condemns exploitation of the poor and depicts social unrest and injustice within Israel — echoes Amos 3:9’s concern for the oppressed within the city.
- Amos 8:4-6 (verbal): Another close Amos passage denouncing economic abuse (selling the needy, trampling rights) and anticipating judgment — thematically and linguistically linked to the ‘oppressed within’ of 3:9.
- Isaiah 34:1-3 (structural): A call to the nations to ‘hear’ and witness Yahweh’s judgment; parallels Amos 3:9’s summons to foreign cities to observe the tumult and punishment visited on Israel.
- Joel 3:2,12-14 (thematic): Joel envisions gathering nations for judgment in a valley of decision; parallels the motif of assembling peoples to witness or participate in divine judgment, as Amos summons Ashdod and Egypt.
- Ezekiel 25:15-17 (cf. Ezekiel 29:3) (allusion): Ezekiel contains oracles specifically against Philistia/Ashdod and against Egypt — parallels Amos’s naming of Ashdod and Egypt as addressees/witnesses to Israel’s fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- Proclaim it in the palaces at Ashdod and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say: 'Gather yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumult within her and the oppression in her midst.'
- Proclaim it in the palaces of Ashdod and in the palaces of the land of Egypt: "Assemble on the hills of Samaria, and see the tumult within her, and the oppression in her midst."
Amo.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- עשות: VERB,qal,inf
- נכחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- האוצרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- חמס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארמנותיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Micah 3:1-3 (thematic): Condemns leaders who 'hate good and love evil' and who act violently and exploit the people—parallels Amos’ charge that the powerful store up violence and spoil.
- Isaiah 1:23 (verbal): Accuses rulers of rebellion and collusion with thieves and of corrupt, unjust rule—echoes Amos’ picture of elites hoarding violence in their houses.
- Amos 5:11-12 (verbal): Within the same prophetic corpus; denounces trampling the needy, taking houses by extortion, and perverting justice—directly related social-justice critique to 3:10.
- Amos 8:4-6 (thematic): Condemns economic exploitation—trampling the poor, dishonest scales, selling the needy—reinforces Amos’ depiction of accumulated violence and wrongdoing by the powerful.
- Jeremiah 22:13-17 (thematic): Woes against those who build and prosper through injustice and who oppress the poor; promises judgment—thematic parallel in prophetic denunciation of elite exploitation.
Alternative generated candidates
- They do not know how to do right, declares the LORD—those who store up violence and plunder in their palaces.
- They do not know how to do right, declares the LORD—those who store up violence and plunder in their palaces.
Amo.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסביב: CONJ+PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והורד: CONJ+VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- עזך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2fs
- ונבזו: CONJ+VERB,nip,perf,3,pl
- ארמנותיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 6:22 (thematic): Announces an enemy coming against the land (often from the north) who will overrun and devastate the country, echoing Amos’ image of an adversary surrounding the land.
- Isaiah 10:6-7 (thematic): God uses a foreign power to punish a nation; the conqueror seizes spoil and plunders strongholds—paralleling the theme of enemy assault and plunder in Amos 3:11.
- Ezekiel 26:12-14 (verbal): Describes foreign nations attacking a city, stripping its riches and making its towers and palaces a ruin—close verbal and thematic correspondence to ‘strongholds… plundered’ and palaces despoiled.
- Psalm 74:3-4,8 (thematic): Laments enemies roaring in God’s sanctuary and breaking down its carved work and palaces; parallels the motif of hostile forces despoiling fortified places and palatial structures.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: Terror is around the land; I will remove your strength from you, and your palaces shall be despised.
- Therefore thus says the LORD God: An adversary is round about the land; he will bring down your stronghold from you, and your palaces shall be plundered.
Amo.3.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- יציל: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- כרעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- בדל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אזן: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- כן: ADV
- ינצלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הישבים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl,def
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בפאת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- מטה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובדמשק: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ערש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 17:34–36 (verbal): David recounts rescuing a lamb from the lion (and the bear)—a similar verbal motif of rescuing prey from a lion that Amos uses as his simile.
- Isaiah 1:9 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD preserving only a very small remnant—parallels Amos’ image of only a tiny, maimed portion of Israel surviving judgment.
- Ezekiel 34:11–16 (thematic): God as shepherd who seeks, rescues and gathers scattered sheep; echoes Amos’ theme of selective rescue and divine judgment upon Israel.
- Hosea 13:7–8 (verbal): Uses the imagery of God/evil like a lion or wild beast attacking Israel—connects with Amos’ lion-as-predator motif and threatened destruction.
- Isaiah 10:20–22 (thematic): Speaks of only a remnant of Israel returning/being left after judgment—echoes Amos’ prognosis that only a small, crippled remnant in Samaria will be spared.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD: As one snatches from a lion's mouth two leg bones or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel who sit in Samaria on the edge of a couch, and those in Damascus on a bed, be delivered—only a scrap shall be rescued.
- Thus says the LORD: As when a shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or the remnant of an ear, so shall the children of Israel who live in Samaria be rescued—those on the edge of a couch and those on the corner of a bed.
Amo.3.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- והעידו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imper,2,m,pl
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הצבאות: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Amos 3:1 (verbal): Same prophetic summons formula—'Hear this word'—addressed to Israel/Jacob; both verses open an indictment and call for testimony.
- Deuteronomy 32:1 (verbal): Song of Moses begins with a cosmic summons—'Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak'—parallel use of hearing/witness language to present God's charge.
- Isaiah 1:2 (verbal): Isaiah's opening also invokes heaven and earth to 'hear' because the LORD speaks; similar courtroom/witness motif and prophetic audience.
- Ezekiel 3:17 (structural): God appoints the prophet as a watchman/witness to the house of Israel—parallel role to 'testify in the house of Jacob' as one who proclaims God's charge to the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hear, and bear witness in the house of Jacob, declares the LORD God of hosts.
- Hear and bear witness in the house of Jacob, says the LORD God, the God of hosts.
Amo.3.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ביום: PREP
- פקדי: NOUN,m,sg,cs,1s
- פשעי: NOUN,m,sg,suff,1,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ופקדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- על: PREP
- מזבחות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ונגדעו: CONJ+VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- קרנות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 6:4-6 (verbal): God declares the altars and incense-altars will be shattered and defiled as punishment — very close verbal/thematic parallel to cutting off the horns of the altar and altars falling.
- Psalm 74:7-8 (thematic): Speaks of enemies smashing and burning the sanctuary and profaning the place of God's name — parallels the destruction/profanation of altars and sacred sites.
- Amos 5:18-24 (structural): Within the same prophetic framework: denunciation of a hoped-for 'day of the LORD' and rejection of empty cultic worship — connects the theme of coming judgment on Israel's religious practices.
- Hosea 8:11-14 (thematic): Condemns Ephraim's many altars and promises judgment for idolatrous worship — parallels Amos' judgment against altars (Bethel) as sites of transgression.
- 1 Kings 18:30-40 (thematic): Elijah's action at Mount Carmel — dismantling/idol-prosecution and the overthrow of false altars — a narrative example of divine judgment upon illegitimate altars, echoing Amos' imagery of altars being cut down.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the day has come to visit the transgressions of Israel upon him; I will punish the altars at Bethel— the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground.
- For the day is come to punish the transgressions of Israel; I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground.
Amo.3.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והכיתי: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החרף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקיץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואבדו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- השן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 6:4-7 (verbal): Uses similar language about ivory luxury and announces that the complacent houses/bedrooms of the wealthy will be the first to go into exile—direct internal parallel to 'houses of ivory...shall perish.'
- Amos 5:11 (verbal): Condemns those who build grand houses and enjoy luxury (houses of hewn stone, pleasant vineyards) but will not dwell in them—same theme of luxury followed by divine judgment on houses.
- Isaiah 5:8-9 (thematic): Pronounces woe on those who join house to house and lay claim to fields, with judgment that their property will be taken—parallel theme of judgment against prosperous households.
- Micah 2:2-3 (thematic): Criticizes those who covet and take houses and fields and promises their humiliation/exile—echoes Amos's theme that the wealthy's houses will be destroyed.
- Zephaniah 1:13 (thematic): Foretells that the houses of the complacent will be given to others and their fields and wives removed—similar outcome of loss of houses and possessions in divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will strike the winter house with the summer house; the houses of ivory shall perish, and many fine houses shall be ruined, declares the LORD.
- I will smite the winter house with the summer house; the houses of ivory shall perish, and great houses shall be laid waste, declares the LORD.
Hear this word that the LORD has spoken concerning you, O sons of Israel—concerning all the family I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:
Only you I have known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will call you to account for all your transgressions.
Do two walk together unless they have agreed?
Does a lion roar in the forest if he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den unless he has caught something?
Does a bird fall into a snare on the ground where there is no trap? Does a trap spring from the earth and yet catch nothing?
If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people tremble? If disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD done it?
For the Sovereign LORD does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken—who can but prophesy?
Proclaim it in the palaces at Ashdod and in the palaces of the land of Egypt; say, ‘Assemble on the hills of Samaria; see the tumult within her and the oppression in her midst.’
‘They do not know how to do right,’ declares the LORD—‘those who store up violence and plunder in their palaces.’
Therefore thus says the Sovereign LORD: An adversary is round about the land; he will remove your strength from you, and your palaces shall be plundered. Thus says the LORD: As one rescues two legs or a piece of an ear from the mouth of a lion, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be delivered—one on the corner of a couch and one on the edge of a bed in Damascus.
Hear and bear witness in the house of Jacob, declares the Sovereign LORD, the God of hosts.
For on the day I punish the transgressions of Israel I will punish the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground.
I will smite the winter house with the summer house; the houses of ivory shall perish, and great houses shall be destroyed, declares the LORD.