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Amos 6:6

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That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

That drink {H8354} wine {H3196} in bowls {H4219}, and anoint {H4886} themselves with the chief {H7225} ointments {H8081}: but they are not grieved {H2470} for the affliction {H7667} of Joseph {H3130}.

You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but feel no grief at the ruin of Yosef.

You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Commentary

Amos 6:6 (KJV) unveils a stark condemnation of the complacent and self-indulgent elite within the northern kingdom of Israel during the prophet Amos's ministry. This verse highlights their excessive luxury and, more importantly, their profound indifference to the suffering and impending doom of their own people.

Context

This verse is part of a "Woe" oracle (starting with Amos 6:1) directed at the privileged and powerful in Israel, particularly those in Samaria, who felt secure in their wealth and status. Amos, a shepherd from Judah, was sent by God to expose the deep moral and spiritual decay that lay beneath the surface of Israel's apparent prosperity. Their luxurious lifestyle stood in stark contrast to the social injustice and oppression rampant among the less fortunate, a reality they willfully ignored.

Key Themes

  • Excessive Luxury and Self-Indulgence: The phrase "drink wine in bowls" suggests not just drinking, but excessive, perhaps even gluttonous consumption from large, ornate vessels, far beyond simple refreshment. "Anoint themselves with the chief ointments" points to the lavish use of expensive perfumes and oils, a symbol of their pursuit of comfort and pleasure at any cost.
  • Profound Apathy and Social Injustice: The core indictment lies in the phrase "but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph." This reveals a chilling lack of empathy for their own kinsmen. "Joseph" here is a poetic or tribal term often used to refer to the northern kingdom of Israel as a whole, symbolizing the collective suffering, spiritual decline, and impending judgment facing their nation. Their revelry blinds them to the deep distress and moral decay around them.
  • Spiritual Blindness and Complacency: Their preoccupation with material pleasures rendered them spiritually insensitive, unable to perceive God's warnings or the impending divine judgment that Amos was proclaiming. This complacency is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, warning against a false sense of security based on material abundance rather than righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "bowls" (מִזְרְקֵי / mizraqei) refers to large basins or sacrificial bowls, emphasizing the extravagant and perhaps even sacrilegious nature of their drinking. "Chief ointments" (רֵאשִׁית שְׁמָנִים / re'shit sh'manim) literally means "first of oils," indicating the finest, most costly, and luxurious anointing oils available. The personification of Israel as "Joseph" is common in prophetic books, linking the current nation to its patriarchal roots and highlighting the tragedy of their spiritual departure.

Practical Application

Amos 6:6 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of affluence without compassion. It challenges believers today to examine their own hearts and lifestyles:

  • Awareness and Empathy: Are we aware of the suffering and injustice around us, both locally and globally? Are we truly "grieved" by the afflictions of others, or are we too consumed by our own comforts and pursuits? This verse calls for a spirit of empathy and solidarity with those who suffer.
  • Stewardship and Simplicity: It prompts reflection on how we use our resources and whether our pursuit of luxury overshadows our call to live justly and love mercy.
  • Spiritual Vigilance: The complacency of Israel led to their downfall. We are reminded to remain spiritually alert and not allow material comfort to dull our sensitivity to God's will or the needs of others.

The message of Amos 6:6 resonates powerfully, urging us to prioritize compassion, justice, and spiritual readiness over self-indulgence and apathy.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 49:22 (3 votes)

    ¶ Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall:

  • Genesis 37:25 (2 votes)

    And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry [it] down to Egypt.

  • Genesis 37:28 (2 votes)

    Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

  • John 12:3 (2 votes)

    Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

  • Ezekiel 9:4 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

  • Romans 12:15 (2 votes)

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

  • Genesis 42:21 (2 votes)

    ¶ And they said one to another, We [are] verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.