Amos 6:7

KJV

Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore now shall they go captive {H1540} with the first {H7218} that go captive {H1540}, and the banquet {H4797} of them that stretched {H5628} themselves shall be removed {H5493}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore now they will be the first to go into exile with those being exiled, and the revelry of those who lounged, sprawling, will pass away.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, you will now go into exile as the first of the captives, and your feasting and lounging will come to an end.

American Standard Version

Therefore shall they now go captive with the first that go captive; and the revelry of them that stretched themselves shall pass away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 6:7 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against the self-indulgent elite of Israel, specifically those in Samaria, who, despite their lavish lifestyles and false sense of security, have ignored God's covenant and the widespread social injustice. It declares that those who were "first" in prominence and luxury will be the "first" to experience the ignominy of exile, and their extravagant revelry will be abruptly silenced by divine intervention, marking a severe reversal of their privileged status.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 6:7 serves as the climactic pronouncement of judgment within a broader oracle against the complacent and arrogant elite of Israel, particularly those in Samaria. The preceding verses ([Amos 6:1-6](/amos/6-1-6 "Amos 6:1-6 - Indictment of the Complacent Elite")) meticulously detail their luxurious and self-absorbed lifestyle: reclining on ivory beds, feasting on the finest lambs and calves, composing songs, drinking wine by the bowlful, and anointing themselves with costly oils, all while remaining utterly indifferent to the "ruin of Joseph" ([Amos 6:6](/amos/6-6 "Amos 6:6 - Indifference to the Ruin of Joseph")). This verse directly links their excessive indulgence and spiritual apathy to their impending doom, acting as the divinely declared consequence for their unbridled hedonism and neglect of justice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, a period of relative prosperity under King Jeroboam II. This economic boom, however, led to widespread social stratification, with a wealthy elite benefiting at the expense of the poor and vulnerable. Culturally, the "stretching themselves" refers to the common practice of reclining on couches during banquets, a symbol of leisure and luxury. The "banquet" (Hebrew: *mirzach*) was often a boisterous feast, sometimes associated with excessive drinking and revelry. The judgment of "going captive" directly foreshadows the historical reality of the Assyrian conquest and exile of the Northern Kingdom, which occurred in 722 BC, where the leading citizens were indeed among the first to be deported to break the nation's spirit and leadership.

* **Key Themes:** Amos 6:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against injustice and spiritual apathy, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to hold even the most powerful accountable for their actions. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Complacency and Materialism**, showing how a false sense of security derived from wealth and status can blind people to impending divine wrath, as seen in the indictment against those "at ease in Zion" ([Amos 6:1](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to those at ease")). Finally, the verse vividly illustrates the **Reversal of Fortune**, where those who were "first" in privilege and self-indulgence will be "first" in suffering and exile, a stark reminder of God's justice that "brings down the proud and exalts the humble" ([Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - Mary's Song: The Mighty Brought Down")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go captive (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** This word signifies not merely a physical relocation but often implies a stripping away of dignity and status, a disgraceful denuding. It speaks to the forced removal from one's homeland, a profound loss of identity and security, and the public shame associated with being exiled.
* **First (Hebrew, _rôʼsh'_):** Literally meaning "head" or "chief," this term emphasizes the prominence and leadership of those being addressed. It highlights the biting irony that those who were at the pinnacle of society, leading in luxury, would also lead the way into exile, experiencing the judgment first and most severely.
* **Banquet (Hebrew, _mirzach'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to scream," *mirzach* refers to a noisy feast or revelry. It captures the essence of the Israelites' unrestrained, often excessive, and self-indulgent celebrations, highlighting the loud, boisterous nature of their luxury that would soon be replaced by the cries of lament and the silence of desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive":** This clause pronounces the immediate and inevitable judgment. The "they" refers to the complacent elite previously described in Amos 6:1-6. The phrase "with the first that go captive" is highly significant, indicating that those who were "first" in social standing and luxury would be the very first to experience the humiliation and suffering of exile, leading the procession of captives. This is a direct, ironic reversal of their privileged status, emphasizing the severity and certainty of God's judgment.
* **"and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed":** This second clause details the cessation of their opulent lifestyle. "The banquet" (*mirzach*) symbolizes their lavish feasts and unrestrained revelry, while "them that stretched themselves" (*sarach*) vividly depicts their lounging, self-indulgent posture on couches, a clear sign of their excessive comfort and apathy. The declaration that this banquet "shall be removed" signifies a complete and abrupt end to their comfort, luxury, and false sense of security, replaced by the harsh realities of captivity and deprivation.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 6:7 employs powerful **Irony** by declaring that those who were "first" in social prominence and self-indulgence would be the "first" to suffer the ignominy of exile. This reversal of fortune serves as a biting critique of their misplaced priorities and a demonstration of divine justice. The "banquet" and the act of "stretching themselves" function as potent **Symbolism**, representing the Israelites' excessive luxury, spiritual complacency, and utter disregard for justice. The *mirzach*, a noisy revelry, symbolizes their unrestrained hedonism, while the *sarach*, depicting a sprawling posture, highlights their comfortable apathy. The removal of the banquet thus symbolizes the complete cessation of their privileged existence. The verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, grimly predicting the historical reality of the Assyrian deportation of the Northern Kingdom's elite.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 6:7 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His judgment against spiritual apathy and social injustice. It reveals that privilege and prosperity, when divorced from righteousness and compassion, become a snare leading to divine wrath. This verse underscores the theological principle that God does not tolerate a false sense of security built on material wealth or human strength, especially when it leads to the oppression of the vulnerable. It serves as a powerful reminder that true security and blessing come from faithfulness to God's covenant and a life lived in accordance with His righteous standards, rather than from worldly indulgence.

* [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Fall of Samaria and Exile of Israel")
* [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 6:7 stands as a timeless warning for all generations, especially for those living in societies of abundance. It compels us to critically examine our own lives for any signs of spiritual complacency, materialism, or indifference to the suffering of others. Are we, like the elite of Samaria, "at ease" in our comforts, oblivious to the needs around us or the spiritual decay within? This verse challenges us to prioritize God's kingdom and His righteousness above personal indulgence and worldly security. It calls us to cultivate a heart of empathy, to be vigilant against the deceptive allure of wealth, and to remember that true fulfillment and lasting joy are found not in accumulating possessions or pursuing fleeting pleasures, but in a humble, obedient, and compassionate walk with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing spiritual complacency or a false sense of security based on earthly comforts?**
* **How does my lifestyle reflect my priorities regarding material possessions versus spiritual values and social justice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater empathy for the less fortunate and to live more intentionally for God's purposes, rather than for self-indulgence?**

### FAQ
**Who are "the first that go captive" referred to in Amos 6:7?**

Answer: "The first that go captive" refers to the prominent, wealthy, and influential elite of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly those in Samaria, who were the primary targets of Amos's condemnation. These were the individuals who were "at ease in Zion" ([Amos 6:1](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to those at ease")), indulging in lavish banquets and luxurious living while ignoring God's covenant and the widespread social injustice. The prophecy implies a bitter irony: those who were "first" in status and privilege would be the very first to experience the humiliation and suffering of forced exile, leading the procession of captives into Assyrian bondage. This fulfilled the principle that "to whom much is given, much will be required" ([Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 6:7, with its stark pronouncement of judgment against the self-indulgent and complacent, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct prophecy of Jesus, but in the profound contrast between the condemned elite and the person and mission of Christ, as well as in His role as the righteous Judge. While the Israelites pursued earthly banquets and false security, Jesus embodied radical self-denial and compassion, declaring that His kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). He consistently warned against the dangers of wealth and materialism, urging His followers to store up "treasures in heaven" rather than on earth ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). Furthermore, the judgment declared in Amos 6:7 foreshadows the ultimate judgment that Christ, as the Son of Man, will execute at the end of the age, separating those who lived for themselves from those who served Him by caring for "the least of these" ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). In Christ, the reversal of fortunes is fully realized: the "first" in this world's eyes are humbled, and those who humble themselves are exalted, finding their true banquet in the eternal fellowship of God's kingdom ([Matthew 23:12](/matthew/23-12 "Matthew 23:12 - He Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled")).

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

Amos 7:11

For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.

Daniel 5:4

They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

1 Kings 20:16

And they went out at noon. But Benhadad [was] drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

1 Kings 20:20

And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.

Amos 5:5

But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.