Amos 6:3-6
New English Translation
3 You refuse to believe a day of disaster will come,[a]
but you establish a reign of violence.[b]
4 They lie around on beds decorated with ivory,[c]
and sprawl out on their couches.
They eat lambs from the flock,
and calves from the middle of the pen.
5 They sing[d] to the tune of[e] stringed instruments;[f]
like David they invent[g] musical instruments.
6 They drink wine from sacrificial bowls,[h]
and pour the very best oils on themselves.[i]
Yet they are not concerned over[j] the ruin[k] of Joseph.
Footnotes
- Amos 6:3 tn Heb “those who push away a day of disaster.”
- Amos 6:3 tn Heb “you bring near a seat of violence.” The precise meaning of the Hebrew term שֶׁבֶת (shevet, “seat, sitting”) is unclear in this context. The translation assumes that it refers to a throne from which violence (in the person of the oppressive leaders) reigns. Another option is that the expression refers not to the leaders’ oppressive rule, but to the coming judgment when violence will overtake the nation in the person of enemy invaders.
- Amos 6:4 tn Heb “beds of ivory.”
- Amos 6:5 tn The meaning of the Hebrew verb פָּרַט (parat), which occurs only here in the OT, is unclear. Some translate “strum,” “pluck,” or “improvise.”
- Amos 6:5 tn Heb “upon the mouth of,” that is, “according to.”
- Amos 6:5 sn The stringed instruments mentioned here are probably harps (cf. NIV, NRSV) or lutes (cf. NEB).
- Amos 6:5 tn The meaning of the Hebrew phrase חָשְׁבוּ לָהֶם (khashevu lahem) is uncertain. Various options include: (1) “they think their musical instruments are like David’s”; (2) “they consider themselves musicians like David”; (3) “they esteem musical instruments highly like David”; (4) “they improvise [new songs] for themselves [on] instruments like David”; and (5) “they invent musical instruments like David.” However, the most commonly accepted interpretation is that given in the translation (see S. M. Paul, Amos [Hermeneia], 206-7).
- Amos 6:6 sn Perhaps some religious rite is in view, or the size of the bowls is emphasized (i.e., bowls as large as sacrificial bowls).
- Amos 6:6 tn Heb “with the best of oils they anoint [themselves].”
- Amos 6:6 tn Or “not sickened by.”
- Amos 6:6 sn The ruin of Joseph may refer to the societal disintegration in Israel, or to the effects of the impending judgment.
Amos 6:3-6
New International Version
3 You put off the day of disaster
and bring near a reign of terror.(A)
4 You lie on beds adorned with ivory
and lounge on your couches.(B)
You dine on choice lambs
and fattened calves.(C)
5 You strum away on your harps(D) like David
and improvise on musical instruments.(E)
6 You drink wine(F) by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve(G) over the ruin of Joseph.(H)
Amos 6:3-6
King James Version
3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
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;
5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;
6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
Read full chapter
Amos 6:3-6
New King James Version
3 Woe to you who (A)put far off the day of (B)doom,
(C)Who cause (D)the seat of violence to come near;
4 Who lie on beds of ivory,
Stretch out on your couches,
Eat lambs from the flock
And calves from the midst of the stall;
5 (E)Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments,
And invent for yourselves (F)musical instruments (G)like David;
6 Who (H)drink wine from bowls,
And anoint yourselves with the best ointments,
(I)But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.