Amos 6:2

Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: [be they] better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?

Pass {H5674} ye unto Calneh {H3641}, and see {H7200}; and from thence go {H3212} ye to Hamath {H2574} the great {H7227}{H2579}: then go down {H3381} to Gath {H1661} of the Philistines {H6430}: be they better {H2896} than these kingdoms {H4467}? or their border {H1366} greater {H7227} than your border {H1366}?

Travel to Kalneh and see; from there go on to Hamat the great; then go down to Gat of the P'lishtim. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?

Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to the great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?

Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines: are they better than these kingdoms? or is their border greater than your border?

Commentary on Amos 6:2 (KJV)

Amos 6:2 serves as a stark warning from the prophet Amos to the complacent and arrogant elite of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly those in Samaria. In this verse, God, through Amos, challenges Israel's false sense of security by inviting them to compare their perceived greatness with that of other prominent cities and kingdoms.

Context

This verse is part of a "woe" oracle in Amos 6, specifically directed against those who are "at ease in Zion" and "secure in the mountain of Samaria" (Amos 6:1). During Amos's ministry in the 8th century BC, Israel was experiencing a period of significant prosperity under King Jeroboam II, yet this material wealth was accompanied by profound spiritual decay, social injustice, and moral corruption. The people believed their status and covenant relationship with God would shield them from judgment. Amos counters this delusion by urging them to look at the fate of other powerful nations.

The three cities mentioned—Calneh, Hamath the great (or Hamath Rabbah), and Gath of the Philistines—were all notable regional powers, either historically significant or currently prominent. Calneh was an ancient Mesopotamian city, possibly already fallen. Hamath was a powerful Aramean kingdom to the north of Israel, known for its size and strength. Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities, a long-time adversary of Israel, and had seen its fortunes rise and fall. The rhetorical question, "be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?", implies a resounding "no." Israel was not superior or more secure than these kingdoms, many of which had already faced or were destined for divine judgment and conquest, often at the hands of the rising Assyrian Empire.

Key Themes

  • False Security and Complacency: The core message is a direct rebuke of Israel's misguided confidence in their wealth, political stability, and perceived invincibility. They believed their status made them immune to the consequences of their sin.
  • Divine Impartiality in Judgment: God's judgment is not limited to Israel's enemies. If powerful non-Israelite nations faced destruction due to their wickedness, Israel, despite its unique covenant, would also be held accountable for its transgressions (Amos 3:2).
  • Humility vs. Arrogance: The verse calls for a sobering self-assessment. Israel's arrogance prevented them from seeing their true spiritual state and the impending doom. True wisdom lies in humility before God.
  • Historical Precedent: Amos uses the fate of other nations as a prophetic warning. By observing the rise and fall of others, Israel should have recognized the pattern of divine justice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Hamath the great" translates from the Hebrew Hamath Rabbah, emphasizing its significant size and power, making its eventual fall even more impactful as a comparison for Israel. The entire verse is structured as a series of rhetorical questions, designed to force the audience to confront their flawed assumptions. The implicit answer to "be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?" is a resounding "no," highlighting Israel's unfounded pride.

Practical Application

Amos 6:2 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and the danger of relying on material prosperity, social status, or even religious heritage as a shield against God's righteous judgment.

  • Beware of False Security: We must not become so comfortable in our circumstances that we neglect our spiritual walk or ignore injustice around us. Our security should be in God alone, not in our achievements or possessions.
  • Humility in Prosperity: Periods of blessing can breed arrogance. This verse reminds us to remain humble, recognizing that all good things come from God and that we are accountable for how we use our resources and influence.
  • God's Impartiality: The Lord is just, and He holds all people and nations accountable for their actions. This should inspire both reverence and a commitment to righteousness.
  • Learn from History: Just as Israel was urged to consider the fate of other kingdoms, we can learn from the patterns of history and the consequences of sin, both individually and corporately.

Ultimately, Amos 6:2 calls for a spiritual awakening, urging us to examine our hearts and ensure our trust is placed in God's righteousness, not in the fleeting comforts of this world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Nahum 3:8

    ¶ Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, [that had] the waters round about it, whose rampart [was] the sea, [and] her wall [was] from the sea?

  • Genesis 10:10

    And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

  • 2 Kings 18:34

    Where [are] the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?

  • 2 Chronicles 26:6

    And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.

  • Isaiah 10:9

    [Is] not Calno as Carchemish? [is] not Hamath as Arpad? [is] not Samaria as Damascus?

  • Isaiah 10:11

    Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

  • 1 Samuel 17:4

    And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height [was] six cubits and a span.

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