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Verse Takeaways
1
Greed Dehumanizes People
Commentators emphasize that the merchants' goal was not just profit, but the complete subjugation of the poor. By seeking to buy people for a trivial price like "a pair of shoes," they showed utter contempt for human life, which is made in God's image. Their greed led them to view the poor not as neighbors, but as commodities to be acquired.
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Book Overview
Amos
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Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Amos 8:6
18th Century
Theologian
That we may buy - Or, indignantly, “To buy the poor!” literally, “the afflicted,” those in “low” estate. First, by dishonesty and oppression…
Charles Ellicott
On Amos 8:6
19th Century
Bishop
On this perverse straining of the Law, compare to Amos 2:6. Their money-making propensity was carried to such unscrupulous lengths, that they even …
John Calvin
On Amos 8:6
16th Century
Theologian
Here he still speaks of the avarice of the rich, who in times of scarcity kept the poor in subjection to themselves and reduced them to slavery. He…
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John Gill
On Amos 8:6
17th Century
Pastor
That we may buy the poor for silver
Thus making them pay dear for their provisions, and using them in this fraudulen…
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…