Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
A Predator's Greed
Commentators highlight the intense imagery used to describe the oppressors. The Hebrew suggests they "pant for" or "swallow up" the needy, much like a thirsty man gulps water or a wild beast stalks its prey. This isn't passive neglect but an active, aggressive desire to consume the poor and everything they have for personal gain.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Amos
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Amos 8:4
18th Century
Theologian
Hear this, you who swallow— Or, better in the same sense, that pant for the needy; as Job says, the hireling pants for…
Charles Ellicott
On Amos 8:4
19th Century
Bishop
You that swallow up ...—Better, you that pant (or are greedy) for the very ashes on their heads.
…
John Calvin
On Amos 8:3–4
16th Century
Theologian
The Prophet here indirectly rebukes the Israelites for taking such delight in their superstitions as to sing in their prosperity, as if God favored…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
John Gill
On Amos 8:4
17th Century
Pastor
Hear this, O you that swallow up the needy
Like a man that pants after a draught of water when thirsty; and, when he…
Matthew Henry
On Amos 8:4–10
17th Century
Minister
The rich and powerful of the land were the most guilty of oppression, as well as the foremost in idolatry. They were weary of the restraints of the…