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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Amos 5:16–20. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. A very terrible threatening of destruction approaching, Amo 5:16, Amo 5:17. Since they would not take the right course to obtain the favour of God, God would take an effectual course to make them feel the weight of his displeasure. The threatening is introduced with more than ordinary solemnity, to strike an awe upon them; it is not the word of the prophet only (if so, it might be made light of) but it is the Lord Jehovah, who has an infinite eternal being; it is the God of hosts, who has a boundless irresistible power, and it is Adonai - the Lord, who has an absolute incontestable sovereignty, and a universal dominion; it is he who says it, who can and will make his words good, and he has said, 1. That the land of Israel shall be put in mourning, true mourning, that all places shall be filled with lamentation for the calamities coming upon them. Look into the cities, and wailing shall be in all streets, in the great streets, in the by-streets. Look into the country, and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! we are all undone! The lamentation shall be so great as not to be confined within doors, nor kept within the bounds of decency, but it shall be proclaimed in the streets and highways, and shall run wild. The husbandman shall be called from the plough by the calamities of his country to the natural expressions of mourning; and, because those who will come short of the merits of the cause, such as are skilful of lamentation shall be called to artificial mourning, to put accents upon the lamentations of the real mourners with their Ahone, ahone. Even in all vineyards, where there used to be nothing but mirth and pleasure, there shall be general wailing, when a foreign force invades the country, lays all waste, and there is no making any head against it, no weapons left but prayers and tears. 2. That the land of Israel shall be brought to ruin, and the advances of that ruin are the occasion of all this wailing: I will pass through thee, as the destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt to destroy the first-born, but then passed over the houses of the Israelites. God's judgments had often passed by them, but now they shall pass through them, shall run them through.
II.A just and severe reproof to those who made light of these threatenings, and impudently bade defiance to the justice of God and his judgments, Amo 5:18. Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord, that really wish for times of war and confusion, as some do who have restless spirits, and long for changes, or who choose to fish in troubled waters, hoping to raise their families, as some had done, upon the ruins of their country; but the prophet tells them that this should be so great a desolation that nobody could get by it. Or it is spoken to those who, in their wailings and lamentations for the calamities they were in, wished they might die, and be delivered out of their misery, as Job did, with passion. The prophet shows them the folly of this. Do they know what death is to those who are unprepared for it, and how much more terrible it will be than any thing that can befal them in this life? Or, rather, it is spoken to those who speak jestingly of that day of the Lord which the prophet spoke so seriously of; they desired it, that is, they challenged it; they said, Let him do his worst; let him make speed, and hasten his work, Isa 5:19. Where is the promise of his coming? Pe2 3:4. It intimates,
1.That they do not believe it. They say that they wish it would come because they do not believe it will ever come; nor will they believe it unless they see it.
2.That they do not fear it; though they may have some belief of it, yet they had so little consideration of it, and their mind is so intent upon other things, that they are under no apprehension at all of peril from it; instead of having the conscience to dread it, they have the curiosity to desire it. In answer to this,
(1.)He shows the folly of those who impudently wished for any of God's judgments, and made a jest of any of the terrors of the Lord: "To what end is it for you that the day of the Lord should come? You will find it both certain and sad; not a thing to be bantered, for it is neither a thing to be questioned whether it will come or no nor a thing to be turned off with a slight when it does come. The day of the Lord is darkness, and not light, Amo 5:18. Shall it not be so? Amo 5:20. Do not your own consciences tell you that it will be so, that it will be very dark, and no brightness in it?" Note, The day of the Lord will be a dark, dismal, gloomy day to all impenitent sinners; the day of judgment will be so; and sometimes the day of their present trouble. And, when God makes a day dark, all the world cannot make it light.
(2.)He shows the folly of those who impatiently wished for a change of God's judgment, in hopes that the next would be better and more tolerable. They desire the day of the Lord, in hopes to better themselves (though their hearts and lives be not amended), or, at least, to know the worst. But the prophet tells them that they know not what they ask, Amo 5:19. It is as if a man did flee from a lion and a bear met him, a beast of prey more cruel and ravenous than a lion, or as if a man, to escape all dangers abroad, went into the house for security, and leaned his hand on the wall to rest himself, and there a serpent bit him. Note, Those who are not reformed by the judgments of God will be pursued by them; and, if they escape one, another stands ready to seize them; fear and the pit and snare surround them, Isa 24:17, Isa 24:18. It is madness therefore to defy the day of the Lord.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
(Verse 16, 17.) Therefore, thus says the Lord God of hosts, the ruler: In all the streets there will be lamentation, and in all the public squares people will say, ‘Alas! Alas!’ They will summon the farmer to mourning and those skilled in lamentation to lament. And in all the vineyards there will be lamentation, for I will pass through your midst, says the Lord. LXX: Therefore, thus says the Lord God Almighty: In all the streets there will be lamentation, and in all the roads people will say, ‘Alas! Alas!’ The farmer will be called to mourning, and those who know lamentation to lament, and in all the streets there will be lamentation: for I will pass through the midst of you, says the Lord. I have commanded you to seek good, and not evil, so that you may live, and the Lord God of hosts will be with you. And again I say (lest you say you were only warned once): Hate evil, and love good, and restore justice in the gates; those who hated the one who rebuked in the gate, let the Lord have mercy on the rest of Joseph; and because you refused to do so, trampling on my commandments and turning against me, a turning away shoulder: therefore the Lord God Almighty, who is the Lord of hosts, says this: everywhere there is lamentation, everywhere there is mourning. The farmers will be called to mourn, and those who know the customs of the province will be called to incite tears, so that there will be mourning and lamentation not in all the streets, as was said above, but in the vineyards; where once there was material for joy, let it be the origin of tears. And all these things will happen, because I will pass through, says the Lord. The Hebrew word, 'I will pass through', which in their language is called Evor (), whenever it is used in the Holy Scriptures in the person of God, is to be understood as punishment, so that it may not remain among them; but let it pass through and leave. And in other places according to the interpretation of Aquila, when God is angry, He calls His fury and wrath 'ἀνυπερθεσία', which can all be applied to heretics, because they have refused to do both what is right and what is just, so there will be mourning in all their streets. For the wide and spacious road leads to destruction (Matthew 7); and each heretic and gentile has their own streets in their sand and fantasies, to which it is subsequently added: 'Woe, woe' will be said about everything that is outside. For those who are in the Church do not listen, which is the ultimate punishment; but if perhaps they have sinned, lamentation will be taken upon them. Therefore, however, it will be said outside or in all ways, woe, woe: because they do not have one way that leads to life, and which is the royal way, but crooked and perverse, and deviating to the right and to the left, while they do not hear the Lord saying: Do not be too righteous. And: The ways that are on the left are perverse. And they encounter a twofold woe, of the flesh and of the spirit, of the present age and of the future. When, on the other hand, ecclesiastics hear: Rejoice, I say again, rejoice (Philip. IV, 4). But even the farmer is called to mourning (for heretics indeed have their farmers, in whose fields thistles and thorns grow), and those who know how to lament are called to mourn, either for their own sins or for the sins of others; although we can take these things in a good sense, so that the man of the Church, powerful to provoke penance, may imitate his Lord saying: We have lamented, and you have not mourned (Luc. VII, 32), and let him mourn for the heretics, as King Saul of Israel once mourned for Samuel (I Reg. XV). And the Apostle says that he mourns over those who have not repented (II Cor. XII). And in all vineyards there will be lamentation, because the vineyards of Sodom are their vineyards. And for the wine of joy, which gladdens the heart of man, they have brought the wine of dragons and the incurable rage of asps. And all these things they will suffer; for the Lord will pass through their midst, so that he does not dwell among them, nor say: I will dwell in them, and walk among them. And behold, I am with you all days even to the consummation of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
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Summary
Amos 5:16 delivers a solemn prophetic declaration from the Lord, announcing a widespread and inescapable judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse vividly portrays a scene of national lamentation, where public spaces, from streets to highways, will be filled with cries of woe. The severity of the impending calamity is underscored by the involvement of ordinary laborers like husbandmen, who will be summoned to mourn, and the necessity of professional mourners, indicating a catastrophe of immense scale and profound sorrow that will permeate every facet of Israelite society.
Context
Literary Context
Amos 5:16 is situated within a series of pronouncements of judgment against Israel, following a lament over their impending downfall (Amos 5:1-3) and a call to repentance (Amos 5:4-6). The preceding verses detail Israel's spiritual apostasy and social injustices, such as their oppression of the poor and perversion of justice (Amos 5:7-13). The "Therefore" at the beginning of verse 16 explicitly links the widespread wailing to the nation's persistent unrighteousness and their refusal to "seek good, and not evil" (Amos 5:14). This verse serves as a direct consequence and a vivid description of the judgment that God will bring upon a people who have forsaken His covenant. It is part of a larger indictment leading up to the promise of exile.
Historical & Cultural Context
The prophet Amos ministered during a period of relative peace and prosperity for the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). However, this economic flourishing was accompanied by severe social injustice, moral decay, and syncretistic religious practices. The rich oppressed the poor, justice was corrupted in the gates, and genuine worship of Yahweh was replaced by empty rituals and idolatry (Amos 4:4-5, Amos 5:21-23). The cultural practice of professional mourners, mentioned in the verse, was common in the ancient Near East, employed to lead public lamentations during funerals or times of national disaster, highlighting the depth of grief anticipated. The "streets" and "highways" refer to public thoroughfares and open spaces where people would gather, emphasizing the public and pervasive nature of the coming sorrow.
Key Themes
Amos 5:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. It powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Justice and Judgment, demonstrating that God's patience has limits and unrepentant sin leads to inevitable consequences. The phrase "the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus" underscores God's absolute sovereignty and power to execute His decrees, a recurring emphasis in Amos (e.g., Amos 4:13). The verse also highlights Pervasive Corruption and its Consequences, showing how Israel's societal breakdown, from the courts to the marketplace, will result in widespread suffering affecting all strata of society. It reinforces the call for True Righteousness and Repentance, implying that the wailing could have been averted had the nation truly turned to the Lord and pursued justice, as exhorted in Amos 5:24.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the root sâphad (to lament), this term (H4553) refers to a lamentation or mourning, specifically a loud, public expression of grief. Its repetition in the verse emphasizes the intensity and pervasiveness of the sorrow. It signifies not just sadness, but a public outcry of distress and despair, often associated with death or national catastrophe.
This interjection (H1930) is an exclamation of woe, distress, or lament. It is a cry of deep sorrow, often used in prophetic contexts to introduce pronouncements of doom or to express profound grief over an impending or realized disaster. Its repetition ("Alas! alas!") amplifies the sense of utter despair and irreversible loss that will grip the nation.
This primitive root (H3045) means "to know," but in this context, it extends to "to ascertain by seeing," "to be acquainted with," or "to be skilled." Here, it refers to those who are proficient or experienced in the art of lamentation, i.e., professional mourners. Their presence signifies the magnitude of the tragedy, requiring trained individuals to lead the expressions of national grief.
Verse Breakdown
"Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus;"
This opening clause firmly establishes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy. "The LORD" (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh) emphasizes God's covenant name and self-existence, while "the God of hosts" (H430, ʼĕlôhîym and H6635, tsâbâʼ) highlights His supreme power and sovereignty over all armies, celestial and earthly. The repetition of "the Lord" (H136, ʼĂdônây) further underscores His absolute dominion. The phrase "saith thus" (H559, ʼâmar) indicates a direct, authoritative declaration, making the ensuing judgment an inescapable divine decree.
"Wailing [shall be] in all streets;"
This signifies that the mourning will be public, pervasive, and unavoidable. "Streets" (H7339, rᵉchôb) refers to broad places or public avenues, implying that no one will be untouched by the calamity, and the grief will be openly displayed in every public space.
"and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas!"
This reinforces the widespread nature of the lamentation. "Highways" (H2351, chûwts) refers to open fields or outer areas, indicating that the cries of woe will extend beyond urban centers, permeating the entire land. The repeated "Alas! alas!" (H1930, hôw) is an intense cry of despair, a funeral dirge anticipating immense loss of life or national devastation.
"and they shall call the husbandman to mourning,"
This illustrates the depth of societal disruption. The "husbandman" (H406, ʼikkâr), or farmer, is typically engaged in daily labor, symbolizing the ordinary populace. Their forced participation in mourning suggests that the calamity will be so severe that even those normally preoccupied with agriculture will be compelled to lament, implying widespread death, famine, or agricultural devastation that halts normal life.
"and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing."
This refers to professional mourners (H3045, yâdaʻ and H5092, nᵉhîy), who were hired in ancient cultures to lead and intensify expressions of grief. Their summoning indicates a tragedy of such immense scale that spontaneous lamentation is insufficient, necessitating expert leadership in public mourning rituals, likely due to a catastrophic loss of life.
Literary Devices
Amos 5:16 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. Hyperbole is evident in the description of "wailing in all streets" and "all the highways," emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of the calamity, suggesting that no corner of the land will be untouched by sorrow. The repetition of "Alas! alas!" functions as Anaphora and Exclamation, intensifying the emotional impact and underscoring the depth of despair. The phrase "the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord" uses Apposition and Divine Titles to magnify God's authority and underscore the inevitability of His judgment. Furthermore, the imagery of calling the "husbandman to mourning" and "such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing" provides Concrete Imagery that makes the abstract concept of national judgment tangible and viscerally impactful, depicting a society utterly consumed by grief.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Amos 5:16 powerfully articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution, demonstrating that God's justice is not merely punitive but restorative, aiming to bring His people back to righteousness, even if through severe means. The widespread lamentation is a direct consequence of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, social injustice, and religious hypocrisy. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It reveals a God who is sovereign over history and who will ultimately hold nations accountable for their moral and spiritual failings, reminding us that true prosperity cannot exist apart from righteousness and justice.
Reflection and Application
Amos 5:16 serves as a stark reminder that God is just and that persistent sin, particularly social injustice and a failure to seek righteousness, will inevitably lead to consequences. While the specific judgment was for ancient Israel, the underlying principle remains timeless: actions have consequences, and God holds nations and individuals accountable. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and societies, to ensure that our faith is not merely outward ritual but is expressed through genuine love for God and our neighbor, especially the vulnerable. It calls us to actively pursue justice, compassion, and righteousness in all spheres of life, rather than relying on superficial religiosity. The profound sorrow described in Amos 5:16 should motivate us to heed God's warnings, to seek Him earnestly, and to live in a manner that honors His character, thereby averting the spiritual and societal wailing that unrepentant sin inevitably brings.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is "the God of hosts" emphasized in this verse?
The title "the God of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is emphasized to underscore God's supreme authority and power. "Hosts" (H6635, tsâbâʼ) refers to armies, whether celestial (angels) or earthly. By using this title, Amos highlights that the impending judgment is not a random misfortune but a deliberate act of the all-powerful, sovereign God who commands all forces. It signifies His absolute capacity to execute His decrees and brings an inescapable weight of divine authority to the prophetic warning, making it clear that His word will be fulfilled, as seen in other prophetic declarations like Isaiah 6:3.
What is the significance of calling the "husbandman" and "skilful of lamentation" to mourning?
The involvement of the "husbandman" (H406, ʼikkâr), or farmer, signifies that the calamity will be so pervasive and devastating that it will disrupt all normal life and labor. Even those typically occupied with daily sustenance will be forced into public mourning, implying widespread death, famine, or agricultural ruin. The summoning of "such as are skilful of lamentation" (H3045, yâdaʻ and H5092, nᵉhîy) refers to professional mourners, a common practice in the ancient Near East. Their presence indicates a tragedy of immense scale, far beyond what spontaneous grief could express. It suggests a national catastrophe so profound that trained individuals are needed to lead and embody the collective sorrow, much like the lamentations described in Jeremiah 9:17-18.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Amos 5:16 prophesies judgment upon ancient Israel for their unrighteousness, its ultimate fulfillment and theological resonance point to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The wailing and lamentation described are a consequence of sin, a theme that finds its ultimate resolution in Christ. Humanity's deepest lamentation is over its separation from God due to sin, a grief that the Lord Jesus took upon Himself. He is the one who "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4), enduring the ultimate judgment on the cross so that those who believe might be spared the eternal wailing of judgment. Instead of a call to professional mourners, the New Testament calls believers to repent and believe in the Gospel, turning from sin to find comfort and joy in Christ, who promises that "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). The judgment pronounced by the "God of hosts" in Amos is fulfilled in Christ's atoning sacrifice, which satisfies divine justice and offers a path to reconciliation, transforming the wailing of despair into the hope of salvation and eternal life, as prophesied in Revelation 21:4.