What does Amos 8:4-6 mean?
"Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?" - Amos 8:4-6
The Bible verse Amos 8:4-6, as found in the King James Version (KJV), reads:
"Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?"
This passage is found in the Book of Amos, which is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. Amos was a shepherd and a fruit picker who lived in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, but was called by God to prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He delivered a scathing message of judgment against the people of Israel for their oppression of the poor and their failure to live in accordance with God's laws.
In this particular passage, Amos condemns the wealthy and powerful members of Israelite society for their exploitation of the poor and needy. The Israelites are portrayed as callous and indifferent, more concerned with the passing of religious observances like the new moon and the sabbath than with the suffering of those around them. They eagerly anticipate the end of these sacred times so that they can resume their exploitative practices, manipulating measures of grain and currency in order to profit off the misfortune of the less fortunate.
The overarching theme of this passage is social justice. Amos is proclaiming the wrath of God against the wealthy elite who have grown rich by trampling on the rights of the poor. The prophet indicts them for their greed, dishonesty, and cruelty, and warns them of the impending judgment that will befall them if they do not repent and change their ways. Amos highlights the importance of caring for the less fortunate and living in a way that is consistent with God's values of compassion, honesty, and fairness.
The passage also touches on the theme of religious hypocrisy. The wealthy individuals mentioned in the passage may have observed religious rituals and ceremonies, but their hearts were far from God. They were more interested in making a profit than in honoring the sacred times set aside for worship and rest. Amos is conveying the message that true obedience to God involves not only religious observance, but also a genuine concern for justice and mercy.
Symbolism is also present in this passage. The new moon and the sabbath are symbolic of the sacred times set aside for worship and rest. The fact that the wealthy are eager for these times to end so that they can resume their exploitative practices symbolizes their disregard for the values that these times represent. The manipulation of measures of grain and currency symbolizes their dishonesty and lack of integrity. And the buying and selling of the poor for silver and a pair of shoes, as well as selling the refuse of the wheat, symbolizes their dehumanization and exploitation of the less fortunate.
In conclusion, Amos 8:4-6 is a powerful and challenging passage that calls for a reexamination of our priorities and values. It demands that we confront our own attitudes and behaviors towards the less fortunate, and urges us to align our lives with the principles of justice, compassion, and integrity. It serves as a stark warning against the dangers of greed and the destructive consequences of disregarding the needs of others. It is a timeless message that continues to resonate with relevance and urgency in our own societies today.
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Amos 8:4-6 Artwork
Amos 8:4-6 - "Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”— skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat."
"Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”— skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat." - Amos 8:4-6
Amos 8:6 - "That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?"
Amos 8:4 - "¶ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,"
Amos 6:4 - "That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;"
Amos 4:8 - "So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD."
Amos 6:8 - "The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein."
Amos 4:6 - "¶ And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD."
"¶ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail," - Amos 8:4
"That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?" - Amos 8:6
Amos 6:6 - "That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."
Amos 7:6 - "The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD."
Amos 8:13 - "In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst."
Amos 7:8 - "And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:"
Amos 6:5 - "That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;"
Amos 8:2 - "And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more."
Amos 8:1 - "Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit."
Amos 6:9 - "And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die."
Amos 8:8 - "Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt."
Amos 8:7 - "The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works."
Amos 6:11 - "For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts."
Amos 6:3 - "Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;"
"That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;" - Amos 6:4
Amos 4:4 - "¶ Come to Beth-el, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:"
Amos 3:8 - "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"
Amos 3:6 - "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?"
Amos 1:4 - "But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad."
Amos 2:8 - "And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god."
Amos 4:13 – "He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind."
Amos 5:4 - "¶ For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:"