And make the poor of the land fail,
“When will the New Moon be past,
That we may1 sell grain?
And athe Sabbath,
That we may trade wheat?
bMaking the ephah small and the shekel large,
Falsifying the scales by cdeceit,
And the needy for a pair of sandals—
Even sell the bad wheat?”
And everyone mourn who dwells in it?
All of it shall swell like1 the River,
Heave and subside
bLike the River of Egypt.
| << Amos 8:5 | Amos 8:7 >> |
Amos 8:6
That we may buy - Or, indignantly, "To buy the poor!" literally, "the afflicted," those in "low" estate. First, by dishonesty and oppression they gained their lands and goods. Then the poor were obliged to sell themselves. The slight price, for which a man was sold, showed the more contempt for "the image of God." Before, he said, "the needy" were "sold for a pair of sandals" Amos 2:6; here, that they were bought for them. It seems then the more likely that such was a real price for man.
And sell the refuse - Literally, the "falling of wheat," that is, what fell through the sieve, either the bran, or the thin, unfilled, grains which had no meal in them. This they mixed up largely with the meal, making a gain of that which they had once sifted out as worthless; or else, in a time of dearth, they sold to people what was the food of animals, and made a profit on it. Infancy and inexperience of cupidity, which adulterated its bread only with bran, or sold to the poor only what, although unnourishing, was wholesome! But then, with the multiplied hard-dealing, what manifoldness of the woe!
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Amos 8:6:
Isaiah 43:22
Amos 5:11
Matthew 18:25
| << Amos 8:5 | Amos 8:7 >> |
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Join 137,114+ readers
A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning
Consistent Bible study is hard to start.
The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.
Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.