The Luxury of Israel's Rulers. Extravagance in ritual often indicates a perverted sense of what constitutes a true philosophy of life. The price of luxury is far greater than men realise. The prophet now contrasts the careless luxury of the rich with the misery that is soon to overtake them (cf. Amos 6:8-14). The reference to Zion in Amos 6:1 has been suspected, on the ground that Amos preached exclusively to the Northern Kingdom. But a slight changes gives: Woe to those that are at ease in (their) pride (so Ehrlich). Woe to the rulers of the people in Israel and Samaria, the men of mark of Israel, the first of the nations. Consider the fate of other nations (Isaiah 10:9 *, 2 Kings 18:33-35; 2 Kings 19:12 f.). Look (Amos 6:2) at Calneh, Hamath, and Gath! Amos 6:2 is regarded by some scholars (e.g. Kent) as a later addition, because these cities were not destroyed till after the days of Amos. Hamath was not taken until 720 B.C.; Calneh (if it be the same as Calno) was not conquered much before 701. But the identification of Calneh (cf. Isaiah 10:9; possibly the Kullani of Assyrian inscriptions, a place in the N. of Syria) is very doubtful; and, as Ehrlich says, Hamath may have suffered severely from other foes long before its conquest by Sargon. Hamath (2 Kings 14:25 *) was an important town on the Orontes, about 100 miles N. of Damascus and S. of Arpad. Gath, the identification of which is uncertain, was the fifth of the chief Philistine towns (cf. Amos 1:8). It was destroyed at a later date (2 Chronicles 26:6). The prophet asks: Are ye better than these kingdoms, or is your territory larger than their territory (see below)? What right have ye to expect to escape their fate? Ye who refuse to contemplate the day of calamity, who are installed by violence; who (Amos 6:4) lie upon beds of ivory and sprawl (so translate) on couches; who feed on dainty lambs and stalled calves; who (Amos 6:5) improvise idly to the sound of the harp and like a David compose all sorts of melodies (so Nowack, slightly emending text); who drink bowls of wine and use the most costly ointments. Woe to such triflers! They cannot spare a thought (Amos 6:6) for the ruin of Joseph (cf. Nahum 3:19). But (Amos 6:7) now the revelry of the sprawlers shall come to an end. They have prided themselves on being the first of the nations. Therefore they shall now march into captivity at the head of captured peoples!
Amos 6:2. Read, Are ye better? Read, or is your territory larger than their territory (gל bulekem miggל bulâ m).
Amos 6:3. Oettli reads sceptre (shç bet).
Amos 6:5. Better, all sorts of melodies (kŏ? l for kל lê).