Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
withholden . . . rain . . . three months to . . . harvest—the time when rain was most needed, and when usually "the latter rain" fell, namely, in spring, the latter half of February, and the whole of March and April (Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23). The drought meant is that mentioned in I Kings 17:1 [GROTIUS].
rain upon one city . . . not . . . upon another—My rain that fell was only partial.
Jehovah details His several chastisements inflicted with a view to reclaiming them: but adds to each the same sad result, "yet have ye not returned unto Me" (Isaiah 9:13; Jeremiah 5:3; Hosea 7:10); the monotonous repetition of the same burden marking their pitiable obstinacy.
cleanness of teeth—explained by the parallel, "want of bread." The famine alluded to is that mentioned in II Kings 8:1 [GROTIUS]. Where there is no food to masticate, the teeth are free from uncleanness, but it is the cleanness of want. Compare Proverbs 14:4, "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean." So spiritually, where all is outwardly smooth and clean, it is often because there is no solid religion. Better fighting and fears with real piety, than peace and respectable decorum without spiritual life.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Amos 4:7:
Deuteronomy 11:14
Isaiah 1:7
Amos 4:1
Amos 4:8
Amos 4:11
Amos 7:4
Amos 7:4
Luke 15:13
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.