Amos 6:1

The Party is over for the Rich

6:1 Woe ¹  to those who live in ease in Zion, ² 

to those who feel secure on Mount Samaria.

They think of themselves as ³  the elite class of the best nation.

The family ⁴  of Israel looks to them for leadership. ⁵ 

Amos 6:13

6:13 You are happy because you conquered Lo-Debar. ⁶ 

You say, “Did we not conquer Karnaim ⁷  by our own power?”

[6:1]  ¹ tn On the Hebrew term הוֹי (hoy; “ah, woe”) as a term of mourning, see the notes in 5:16, 18.

[6:1]  ² sn Zion is a reference to Jerusalem.

[6:1]  ³ tn The words “They think of themselves as” are supplied in the translation for clarification. In the Hebrew text the term נְקֻבֵי (nÿquvey; “distinguished ones, elite”) is in apposition to the substantival participles in the first line.

[6:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “house.”

[6:1]  ⁵ tn Heb “comes to them.”

[6:13]  ⁶ tn Heb “those who rejoice over Lo-Debar.”

[6:13]  ⁷ sn Karnaim was also located across the Jordan River. The name in Hebrew means “double horned.” Since an animal’s horn was a symbol of strength (see Deut 33:17), the Israelites boasted in this victory over a town whose very name symbolized military power.