HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

AMOS 2

CHAPTER II.

Ver. 1. Ashes. Some think that he alludes to 4 K. iii. 27. or rather to some war, the ashes of the dead were disturbed. C. --- Both these acts of inhumanity deserved severe punishment. W.

Ver. 2. Fire: war under Ozias. C. --- Carioth. Sept. "the cities." Carioth has this meaning, but is was also the name of a great city. Jer. xlviii. 24. H.

Ver. 3. Judge, ruler, or head, shall be no more.

Ver. 4. Walked. After Solomon, scarcely a good prince appeared, till the days of Amos. Juda imitated the idolatry of Israel, hoping thus to find assistance. C. --- His crime was the more grievous, as they had the law. W.

Ver. 5. Fire. Under Joathan, Rasin, &c. invaded the country. Achaz increased the misery, by applying to the Assyrians. C.

Ver. 6. Just man. Joseph, (Rupert) or our Saviour, (Sanct.) or any other. The expression is proverbial. Ezec. xiii. 19. C. --- Israel contemned the law, and adopted the abominations of all. W.

Ver. 7. Humble, provoking him to anger. --- Name. Such incests caused infidels to blaspheme. Lev. xviii. 8. C. --- They must be punished with severity. W.

Ver. 8. Altar. Herein they offended doubly, (Ex. xxii. 26.) as they used the garments of others to hide their shameful actions. 4 K. xxiii. 7. C. --- Sept. "and tying up their garments with cords, they made veils touching the altar, and drank wine procured by calumnies," (H.) or "rapine," &c. Chal. --- Condemned by them unjustly, though some think that a very delicious and intoxicating wine is meant, such as was given to people in grief. Prov. xxxi. 6. Mark xv. 23. Helena learnt in Egypt how to compose such wine. Odys. iv. --- Feasting in temples on carpets was an ancient custom.

Ver. 9. Beneath. The Israelites seemed like locusts in comparison. Num. xiii. 34.

Ver. 11. Nazarites. Some went secretly to Jerusalem for this purpose; or perhaps they performed these rites illegally at Bethel: for many parts of the law were observed, though not perfectly. C. iv. 4. The Nazarites were in high estimation. Lam. iv. 7. But the dissolute Israelites (C.) derided them as well as the prophets, (H.) and attempted to make them transgress. C.

Ver. 13. I will screek. Unable to bear any longer the enormous load of your sins, &c. The Spirit of God, as S. Jerom takes notice, accommodates itself to the education of the prophet, and inspires him with encouragements taken from country affairs. Ch. --- Sept. "I am overturned." Heb. "pressed." C.

Ver. 14. Swift. Jeroboam I. Other kings are described afterwards. S. Jer. --- In the latter times all was in confusion. C.