Amos 6:5

KJV

That chant to the sound of the viol, [and] invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

KJV (with Strong's)

That chant {H6527} to the sound {H6310} of the viol {H5035}, and invent {H2803} to themselves instruments {H3627} of musick {H7892}, like David {H1732};

Complete Jewish Bible

You make up wild songs at your parties, playing the lute and inventing other instruments - [imagining that you're] like David!

Berean Standard Bible

You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.

American Standard Version

that sing idle songs to the sound of the viol; that invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 6:5 powerfully denounces the spiritual complacency and self-indulgent luxury of Israel's elite, particularly their frivolous misuse of artistic gifts. Far from using their musical ingenuity for divine worship, they invent instruments and chant to the sound of the viol for their own pleasure, mimicking the legendary musicality of King David but utterly lacking his heart for God. This verse serves as a stark indictment of a people lost in revelry, oblivious to the impending judgment and their moral decay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 6:5 is situated within a series of "woe" oracles (Amos 5:18-6:14) delivered by the prophet Amos, primarily targeting the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria). Chapter 6 specifically opens with a scathing indictment of those who are "at ease in Zion" and "secure in the mountain of Samaria" ([Amos 6:1](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to the Complacent")). This section immediately precedes a prophecy of their imminent exile ([Amos 6:7](/amos/6-7 "Amos 6:7 - Exile for the Complacent")). The verse, therefore, functions as a specific illustration of the moral and spiritual decay that characterizes the complacent elite, showing how their leisure and talents are perverted from their intended purpose, leading to divine judgment. It contrasts their luxurious lifestyle with the suffering of the poor and the warnings of the prophets.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel (c. 793-753 BC), a period of significant economic prosperity and political stability, particularly after the decline of Aram. This era saw a widening gap between the rich and the poor, with the wealthy accumulating vast estates and indulging in extravagant luxuries. Music played a vital role in ancient Israelite culture, used in both worship and secular celebration. However, the context of Amos 6:5 suggests that the elite were not merely enjoying music but were consumed by it as a form of escapism and self-gratification, ignoring the social injustices and spiritual decline around them. Their "invention" of instruments "like David" points to a sophisticated, yet misdirected, artistic culture that had lost its spiritual anchor, becoming a symbol of their moral decadence rather than devotion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Amos. Foremost is **Spiritual Complacency and Indulgence**, highlighting how prosperity can lead to spiritual apathy and a neglect of God's commands and warnings. The elite's excessive entertainment is a symptom of their detachment from God and their responsibilities to the covenant. Another key theme is the **Perversion of Gifts and Tradition**. By mimicking David's musical ingenuity for self-serving revelry rather than worship, they demonstrate a profound misunderstanding and abuse of sacred traditions and God-given talents. This is a powerful example of outward conformity without inward transformation, contrasting sharply with the genuine heart of worship seen in figures like [David](/2-samuel/6-5 "2 Samuel 6:5 - David's Worship with Music"). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Blindness to Impending Judgment**. Their constant pursuit of pleasure and luxury served as a profound distraction, preventing them from acknowledging their sin and the serious consequences that awaited them, as foretold by Amos throughout the book, culminating in the severe judgment described in [Amos 8](/amos/8 "Amos 8 - Judgment and Famine").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **chant (Hebrew, _pâraṭ'_):** H6527. A primitive root meaning "to scatter words," "prate," or "hum." In this context, it describes the act of singing or humming to the accompaniment of musical instruments. It evokes a sense of casual, perhaps even frivolous, vocalization, rather than a solemn or worshipful chant. The word suggests a relaxed, self-satisfied performance, indicative of their leisurely lifestyle.
* **invent (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** H2803. A primitive root meaning "to plait or interpenetrate," or more generally, "to fabricate." Figuratively, it means "to plot or contrive," "to think," "regard," or "compute." Here, it signifies their ingenuity and creativity in designing or devising new musical instruments. While the word itself is neutral, in this context, it highlights the misdirection of their intellectual and creative faculties towards self-gratification rather than godly purposes, contrasting with David's use of such ingenuity for divine worship.
* **David (Hebrew, _Dâvid'_):** H1732. The youngest son of Jesse, the beloved king of Israel, renowned for his musical skill and psalms. The phrase "like David" is a critical point of comparison. While David used his musical gifts and ingenuity to glorify God and lead worship (e.g., [1 Chronicles 23:5](/1-chronicles/23-5 "1 Chronicles 23:5 - David's Organization of Levite Musicians")), the elite in Amos's day mimicked his *actions* (inventing instruments) but lacked his *heart* and *purpose*. This comparison underscores the perversion of a noble tradition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That chant to the sound of the viol":** This clause paints a vivid picture of the elite's leisurely indulgence. The "viol" (Hebrew _nebel_, H5035) was likely a stringed instrument, possibly a harp or lute, associated with pleasant sounds. The act of "chanting" (Hebrew _paraṭ_) to its sound suggests a relaxed, perhaps even self-absorbed, musical performance. It highlights their preoccupation with personal amusement and comfort, rather than any form of spiritual discipline or engagement with God's word. This is a scene of opulent idleness.
* **"and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;":** This second clause intensifies the indictment by drawing a direct, ironic comparison to King David. The phrase "invent to themselves instruments of musick" indicates not just passive enjoyment but active, creative engagement in their revelry. They possess ingenuity and talent, but these are directed towards personal pleasure. The crucial phrase "like David" reveals the prophet's sharp critique. David, a renowned musician and psalmist, used his musical gifts for worship and praise to God, even organizing temple music ([2 Samuel 6:5](/2-samuel/6-5 "2 Samuel 6:5 - David's Worship")). The elite in Amos's time possessed similar artistic flair, but their purpose was diametrically opposed to David's. They imitated his skill but not his piety, using their gifts for self-serving revelry instead of glorifying God.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 6:5 makes powerful use of **Irony** and **Allusion**. The central ironic twist lies in the comparison "like David." David, a man after God's own heart, used his musical genius for worship and to compose psalms that glorified the Lord. The Israelite elite, however, mimic David's *inventiveness* but pervert his *purpose*, using their musical talents for self-indulgent revelry and spiritual complacency. This creates a sharp **Contrast** between genuine devotion and superficial imitation. The **Allusion** to David serves not as commendation but as a severe condemnation, highlighting how far Israel had fallen from the spiritual ideals of its foundational king. The very act of their sophisticated musical innovation becomes a symbol of their spiritual bankruptcy, as their creativity is directed inward rather than upward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 6:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the misuse of God-given gifts and the dangers of spiritual complacency. It underscores the principle that prosperity, when divorced from piety and justice, can lead to moral decay and divine judgment. The elite's perversion of music, a gift intended for worship and expression of devotion, into a tool for self-gratification demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of their covenantal relationship with God. Their actions reveal a heart that prioritizes personal pleasure over God's will and the needs of their community, embodying a superficial religiosity that lacks genuine devotion. This passage calls believers to examine how they steward their talents and resources, ensuring they are used for God's glory and the good of others, rather than for selfish indulgence.

* [Romans 1:21](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21 - Futility of Thought and Darkened Hearts")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [1 Corinthians 10:31](/1-corinthians/10-31 "1 Corinthians 10:31 - Do All to the Glory of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 6:5 offers a timeless mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to critically examine our priorities and the purpose of our lives. In an age of unprecedented comfort and entertainment, it's easy to fall into the same trap of spiritual complacency that ensnared Israel's elite. We must ask ourselves if our leisure, our talents, and our resources are primarily directed towards self-gratification or if they are consecrated to God's glory and the service of others. True faith is not merely about avoiding overt sin, but about the orientation of our hearts and the intentional use of all that God has given us. This verse calls us to cultivate a heart like David's – one that passionately seeks God, even in prosperity, and uses every gift for His praise, rather than merely mimicking external forms of religiosity or artistic expression without genuine devotion. It's a call to vigilance against the subtle dangers of comfort and a reminder that our ultimate purpose is to honor God in all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I use my leisure time and personal resources? Are they primarily for self-indulgence, or do they reflect a heart devoted to God and service to others?**
* **What talents or gifts has God given me, and am I using them for His glory or primarily for personal gain and pleasure?**
* **In what ways might I be mimicking outward forms of faith or spirituality without cultivating a genuine, heartfelt devotion to God?**
* **How can I guard against spiritual complacency in times of personal comfort or prosperity?**

### FAQ
**Why is music, which is often used in worship, condemned here?**

Answer: The condemnation in Amos 6:5 is not against music itself, but against its *misuse* and the *heart* behind it. Music, like any gift, can be used for good or ill. In this context, the Israelite elite were using their musical talents and ingenuity for self-indulgent revelry and luxurious entertainment, completely detached from spiritual devotion, social justice, or awareness of God's impending judgment. They were creating new instruments and chanting for their own pleasure, not for God's glory or the edification of the community. The comparison to David highlights this perversion: David used his musical gifts to worship God and lead the nation in praise ([Psalm 150:3](/psalms/150-3 "Psalm 150:3 - Praise with Musical Instruments")), whereas these individuals used similar talents for a decadent lifestyle that ignored God and the suffering of the poor. It's the spiritual apathy and self-centeredness that the music symbolizes, not the music itself, that is condemned.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 6:5, with its indictment of self-indulgent luxury and the perversion of God-given talents, finds its profound fulfillment and counter-narrative in Jesus Christ. While the Israelite elite mimicked David's musicality without his heart, Jesus is the true Son of David, embodying perfect devotion and humility. He did not come to invent instruments for personal pleasure but to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the law and the prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Unlike those who lived in ease while judgment loomed, Christ, though rich, became poor for our sake, so that by His poverty we might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2-corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He taught His followers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, rather than earthly comforts ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")). Furthermore, Jesus exemplifies the proper use of all gifts and talents: consecrated to God's will and for the service of others, culminating in His perfect obedience even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). In Christ, we see the true "music" of a life lived in complete surrender and worship, a stark contrast to the self-serving revelry condemned by Amos. He calls us to a life of authentic worship, where our gifts are used to build up His body and glorify His name, not to indulge our own desires ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Church's Edification")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 5:12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Amos 5:23

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Amos 8:3

And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: [there shall be] many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast [them] forth with silence.

Genesis 31:27

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

1 Peter 4:3

For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Ecclesiastes 2:8

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, [as] musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

Revelation 18:22

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;