front:intro ih42 0 # Introduction to Amos\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the Book of Amos\n\n1. Amos introduced (1:1)\n1. Yahweh judges the nations (1:2–2:16)\n * The surrounding nations (1:2–2:3)\n * The southern kingdom (2:4–5)\n * The northern kingdom (2:6–16)\n1. Amos prophesies against the people of Israel (3:1–6:14)\n1. Yahweh shows Amos several visions (7:1–9:10)\n1. Israel is to be restored (9:11–15)\n\n### What is the Book of Amos about?\n\nThe Book of Amos contains the words of Amos, a shepherd of Tekoa. Amos began to prophesy about 760 BC. He spoke Yahweh’s messages against God’s people behaving wickedly. He spoke messages to both the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])\n\nYahweh gave Amos prophecies of judgment (Chapters 1–6) to proclaim to the people. Each of them begins with the phrase “This is what Yahweh says” (ULT).\n\nThree visions of Yahweh coming to judge the people are in the last part of the book (7:1–9:10). A final vision promises that Yahweh will restore Israel (9:11–15). He will restore the “tent of David.” This means a descendant of David would once again be king over Israel.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThe traditional title of this book is “The Book of Amos” or just “Amos.” Translators may also call it the “The Book of the Sayings of Amos.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### Who wrote the Book of Amos?\n\nThe prophet Amos probably wrote this book. He lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. Amos came from a poor family. They grew sycamore trees (7:14, 15) and were shepherds ([Amos 1:1](../../amo/01/01.md)). Though Amos was not trained as a prophet, he knew and understood the law of Moses. Also, Amos skillfully used expressive and meaningful words.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### How is justice described in Amos?\n\nJustice is an important theme in the Book of Amos. Justice means people treating others fairly according to the law of Yahweh. People in Israel were oppressing and taking advantage of poor people, orphans, and widows. Amos explained that Yahweh would prefer that the people act justly rather than sacrifice to him. Truly obeying the law of Moses meant being just to other people. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n### What is a lawsuit?\n\nMany cultures have a process for resolving disputes through the use of courts. These legal disputes are called lawsuits. Amos uses various legal terms. Part of the book presents events in a courtroom. The people are introduced, the problem is explained, the people are examined, witnesses speak, and a verdict is given.\n\n## Part 3: Important Translation Issues\n\n### What is the meaning of the term “Israel”?\n\nThe name “Israel” is used in many different ways in the Bible. Jacob was a son of Isaac. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. In Amos, “Israel” almost always refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])\n\n### Where do the various narratives begin and end?\n\nThe structure of the Book of Amos may make it difficult to understand where Amos ends one thought and begins another. It may be helpful to solve these issues with carefully divided lines or paragraphs.
1:intro v72p 0 # Amos 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis book is written in a poetic form. Because it was written by a farmer, it includes many references to agricultural concepts.\n\n### “For three sins of Judah, even for four”\nThe phrase “For three sins of Judah, even for four,” is used to begin each oracle. This is not intended to be a literal count but is an idiom indicating a large number of sins. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
1:1 zsg5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry 0 # General Information:\n\nGod speaks through Amos using poetic language. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
1:1 e8f1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive These are the things concerning Israel that Amos, one of the shepherds in Tekoa, received in revelation 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “These are the things concerning Israel that God revealed to Amos, one of the shepherds in Tekoa”
1:1 a358 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names in Tekoa 0 “Tekoa” is the name of a town or village.
1:1 t6dv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive He received these things 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave him these things”
1:1 ffc4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and also in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel 0 The words “in the days of” is an idiom and refers to the time when each king reigned. Alternate translation: “when Uzziah was king of Judah, and also when Jeroboam son of Joash was king of Israel”
1:1 vmr4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit two years before the earthquake 0 The assumed knowledge is that the original hearers would be aware of when a large earthquake had affected the area.
1:2 x1sx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Yahweh will roar from Zion; he will raise his voice from Jerusalem 0 These two phrases share similar meanings. Together they emphasize that Yahweh shouts loudly as he prepares to judge the nation.
1:2 q17j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh will roar 0 The author speaks of the voice of Yahweh as if it sounded like the roar of a lion or the roar of thunder.
1:2 ws32 Yahweh 0 This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
1:3 rk7r For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but it indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment.
1:3 rpv5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Damascus 0 Here “Damascus” represents the people of the city of Damascus. Alternate translation: “the people of Damascus”
1:3 cnr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. Alternate translation: “I will certainly punish those people”
1:3 b7ie rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they threshed Gilead with instruments of iron 0 Yahweh speaks of how Damascus treated Gilead as if they had threshed grain with iron tools or weapons.
1:3 z99i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Gilead 0 Here “Gilead” represents the people of the region of Gilead. Alternate translation: “the people of Gilead”
1:4 viv5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will send a fire into the house of Hazael 0 Here Yahweh speaks of his judgment against the house of Hazael as if it were a consuming fire.
1:4 h2l1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Hazael 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Hazael’s descendants, who were rulers of the country where Damascus was located.
1:4 ik4f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will devour the fortresses of Ben Hadad 0 Here Yahweh’s judgment is spoken of as if it were a fire that was consuming the fortresses.
1:4 yi4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Hazael … Ben Hadad 0 These are the names of men.
1:5 j6ku rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor cut off the man 0 Here to “cut off” means either to destroy or to drive away, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “destroy the man” or “drive away the man”
1:5 na9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Valley of Aven 0 This is the name of a place that means “valley of wickedness.” This could mean: (1) this is the name of an actual place in that region or (2) this is a metonym for Damascus or the surrounding region. Alternate translation: “the valley of wickedness” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1:5 aji7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the man who holds the scepter in 0 This is a metonym for the ruler of that city or region. Alternate translation: “the ruler of”
1:5 q6cf rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Eden 0 This is the name of a place that means “house of pleasure.” This could mean: (1) this is the name of an actual place in that region or (2) this is another metonym for Damascus or the surrounding region. Alternate translation: “the house of pleasure” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1:5 zgv6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kir 0 This is the name of a region from which the people of Aram originally came.
1:6 wc1b For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but it indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:6 ir17 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Gaza 0 Here “Gaza” represents the people of the region of Gaza. Alternate translation: “the people of Gaza”
1:6 pd54 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:6 s4mb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Edom 0 Here “Edom” represents the people of the country of Edom. Alternate translation: “the people of Edom”
1:7 s2fy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will devour her fortresses 0 Here Yahweh’s judgment is spoken of as if it were a fire that was consuming the fortresses.
1:8 pn5f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor cut off the man 0 Here to “cut off” means either to destroy or to drive away, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “destroy the man” or “drive away the man”
1:8 z6mc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the man who holds the scepter 0 This is a metonym for the ruler of that city or region. Alternate translation: “the ruler”
1:8 m7rn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I will turn my hand against Ekron 0 Here “hand” represents Yahweh’s power that he would use against Ekron. Alternate translation: “I will strike Ekron” or “I will destroy Ekron”
1:8 w6im rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Ekron 0 Here “Ekron” represents the people of the city of Ekron. Alternate translation: “the people of Ekron”
1:9 dw8j For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:9 m576 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Tyre 0 Here “Tyre” represents the people of the city of Tyre. Alternate translation: “the people of Tyre”
1:9 s55w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:10 q6k1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will devour her fortresses 0 Here Yahweh’s judgment is spoken of as if it were a fire that was consuming the fortresses.
1:11 a393 For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:11 re3j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Edom 0 Here “Edom” represents the people of the country of Edom. Alternate translation: “the people of Edom”
1:11 y8u9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:11 t3ng rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit he pursued his brother 0 The assumed knowledge is that Esau, from whom the people of Edom were descended, was the brother of Jacob, from whom the people of Israel were descended. Here “his brother” represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “he pursued the people of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1:11 hrl2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism His anger raged continually, and his wrath lasted forever 0 These two phrases mean the same thing and are repeated to emphasize his continued anger. The abstract nouns “anger” and “wrath” can be translated using the adjectives “angry” and “furious.” Alternate translation: “He was continually angry and always furious” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
1:11 e4yz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole his wrath lasted forever 0 This is an exaggeration that is meant to express the ongoing nature of his wrath.
1:12 u6m8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Teman … Bozrah 0 These are names of places.
1:12 rv98 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will devour the palaces of Bozrah 0 Here Yahweh’s judgment is spoken of as if it were a fire that was consuming the palaces.
1:13 cc91 For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:13 qdx6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:14 i3cd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will devour the palaces 0 Here Yahweh’s judgment is spoken of as if it were a fire that was consuming the palaces.
1:14 hpu5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind 0 The fighting against the people of Ammon is spoken of as if it were a violent storm. Alternate translation: “and the fighting will be like a great storm”
1:15 s4xt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns Their king will go into captivity 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **captivity**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “capture.” This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Their enemies will capture their king and take him away as a prisoner” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2:intro ibd6 0 # Amos 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter consists of oracles against Moab and Judah by using poetic language and imagery. But the UST translates it using prose. If possible, translate this chapter as poetry, but you may translate as narrative.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Idiom\n\nYou will notice that the phrase “For three sins of Judah, even for four,” is used to begin each of these oracles. This is not intended to be a literal count but is an idiom indicating a large number of sins. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
2:1 g1vl For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
2:1 uc48 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Moab 0 This represents the Moabite people. Alternate translation: “the people of Moab”
2:1 pft8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
2:2 j3zn rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kerioth 0 This is the name of a city or town.
2:2 w2hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Moab will die 0 Here “Moab” represents the people of Moab. Alternate translation: “The people of Moab will die”
2:4 fu1p For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not mean that a specific number of sins had been committed, but indicates that many sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
2:4 csn5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Judah 0 This represents the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”
2:4 gt89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he will punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
2:4 d67w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Their lies 0 This expression here probably refers to worshiping false gods or idols. Alternate translation: “Their worship of idols”
2:4 p387 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor go astray … walked 0 Worshiping false gods is spoken of as if people were walking behind them.
2:5 h9pg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will devour the fortresses of Jerusalem 0 Here Yahweh’s judgment is spoken of as if it were a fire that was consuming the fortresses.
2:6 c6wx For three sins of … even for four 0 This is a poetic device. It does not meaan that a specific number of sins had been committed, but indicates that many of sins had led to God’s judgment. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
2:6 w27a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Israel 0 This represents the Israelite people. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel”
2:6 pk79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I will not turn away punishment 0 Yahweh uses two negatives here to emphasize that he would punish them. See how you translated these words in [Amos 1:3](../01/03.md).
2:6 py15 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the innocent 0 This refers to innocent people in general. Alternate translation: “innocent people”
2:6 pb42 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the needy 0 This refers to needy people in general. Alternate translation: “needy people”
2:7 v5te rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile They trample on the heads of the poor as people trample on dust on the ground 0 How the people of Israel treated the poor is compared to how people step heavily on the ground
2:7 fx7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the poor 0 This refers to poor people in general. Alternate translation: “poor people”
2:7 q5bc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they push the oppressed away 0 This idiom means they refused to listen when the oppressed people said they were being treated unfairly
2:7 lck3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the oppressed 0 This refers to oppressed people in general. Alternate translation: “oppressed people”
2:7 jl29 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism go in to the same girl 0 This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “hav sexual relations with the same girl”
2:8 r53c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive those who were fined 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those who they made to pay a penalty”
2:9 f6cf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole whose height was like the height of cedars; he was strong as the oaks 0 This is an exaggeration. It describes how tall and strong the Amorite people were and compares them to the tallest and strongest trees in that region. Alternate translation: “who were tall and strong like great trees” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
2:9 b3lg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below 0 How Yahweh completely destroyed the Amorites is pictured as a tree being destroyed from top to bottom. Alternate translation: “Yet I destroyed them completely” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
2:11 hfp4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Is it not so, people of Israel? 0 Yahweh asks this question to emphasize what he has said. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “You people of Israel certainly know that what I have said is true!”
2:11 ar32 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
2:13 kk7s Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nYahweh continues his message of judgment on the people of Israel.
2:13 pae9 Look 0 This alerts the reader to pay attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”
2:13 ak7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile I will crush you as a cart that is full of grain can crush someone 0 Yahweh compares his judgment on the people of Israel to crushing them with something very heavy.
2:14 x39h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj The swift … the strong … the mighty 0 These adjectives refer to people in general. Alternate translation: “Swift people … strong people … mighty people” or “The strong person … the strong person … the mighty person”
2:15 q2w6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the fast runner will not escape 0 The implied information is that the fast runner will not escape from his enemies. Alternate translation: “the fast runner will be captured”
2:16 c22v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy flee naked 0 This could mean: (1) this is a metonym for “run away without his weapons” or (2) this is meant literally as “run away wearing no clothes”
2:16 szp1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
3:intro gtz5 0 # Amos 3 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nAmos continues to use poetic form in this chapter to prophesy the disaster coming to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical Questions\n\nThis chapter begins with a number of rhetorical questions. The last question provides the reader with some answers: “Yahweh has certainly spoken through his prophets. So listen to them.” The answer to these rhetorical questions have the expected response of “no” because they are things that are not expected to happen. The writer is helping the reader to conclude that God uses the prophets to speak his message.
3:1 em48 Hear this word 0 Alternate translation: “Hear this message” or “Listen to this message”
3:1 k2d9 that Yahweh has spoken against you … against the whole family 0 Alternate translation: “this word that Yahweh has spoken about you … about the whole family” or “Yahweh’s message about you … about the whole family”
3:1 kc3z you, people of Israel … the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt 0 These two phrases refer to the same group of people. The people God is speaking to are the descendants of those he had taken out of Egypt.
3:1 kg5e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the whole family 0 Here “the whole family” represents to the whole nation. The people of Israel were all descendants of Jacob. Alternate translation: “the whole nation” or “the whole clan”
3:2 zb95 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I have chosen only you from all the families of the earth 0 This implies that they should have obeyed him. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “I have chosen only you from all the families of the earth, so you should have obeyed me”
3:2 d1zb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy all the families of the earth 0 Here “families” represents nations or people groups. Alternate translation: “all the nations of the earth” or “all the clans on the earth”
3:2 a52d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Therefore I will punish you for all your sins 0 It can be stated clearly that they did not obey God. Alternate translation: “But you did not obey me. Therefore I will punish you for all your sins”
3:3 c422 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion 0 # General Information:\n\nAmos uses the questions in verses 3–6 to present examples of things that people already know about what causes things to happen and what are the results of things that happen.
3:3 bg7x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will two walk together unless they have agreed? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what they already know about what must happen in order for two people to walk together. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Two people will walk together only if they have first agreed to walk together.” or “You know that two people will walk together only if they have agreed to do that.”
3:4 hd72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no victim? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what they already know about what causes a lion to roar. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A lion will roar in the forest only when he has a victim.”
3:4 h1hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will a young lion growl from his den if he has caught nothing? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what they already know about what causes a lion to growl. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A young lion will growl from his den only if he has caught something.”
3:5 cw5t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion 0 # General Information:\n\nAmos uses the questions in verses 3–6 to present examples of things that people already know about what causes things to happen and what are the results of things that happen.
3:5 v6h4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Can a bird fall in a trap on the ground when no bait is set for him? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what they already know about what causes a bird to fall into a trap. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A bird can fall into a trap on the ground only when bait has been set for him.”
3:5 j71c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will a trap spring up from the ground when it has not caught anything? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what they already know about what causes a trap to spring up. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A trap will spring up from the ground only when it has caught something.”
3:5 n19f Will a trap spring up from the ground 0 This refers to a trap closing. When an animal steps on a trap, the trap closes and the animal cannot get out of it. Alternate translation: “Will a trap close”
3:6 u2xq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion If a trumpet sounds in a city, will the people not tremble? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what they already know about what happens when a trumpet sounds. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “When the trumpet sounds in the city, the people will tremble.” or “When the trumpet sounds in the city, we expect that people will tremble.”
3:6 yr88 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit If a trumpet sounds in a city 0 The purpose of sounding the trumpet is to warn people that enemies are about to attack the city. Alternate translation: “If someone blows the trumpet in the city to warn the people about an enemy attack” or “If the warning trumpet is blown in the city”
3:6 y7gn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit tremble 0 The reason for trembling can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “tremble because they are afraid” or “be afraid of the enemy and tremble”
3:6 h6pa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion If disaster overtakes a city, has Yahweh not sent it? 0 Amos uses this question to remind the people of what they should already know about what causes a disaster. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “If disaster overtakes a city, Yahweh has sent it.” or “If disaster overtakes a city, we know that Yahweh has sent it.”
3:6 ffj9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor If disaster overtakes a city, 0 Something terrible happening to a city is spoken of as if disaster overtakes it.
3:7 rg1r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing unless … the prophets 0 The relationship between this sentence and the rhetorical questions in [Amos 3:3](../03/03.md) to [Amos 3:6](./06.md) can be shown with the words “So also.” Alternate translation: “So also, the Lord Yahweh will do nothing unless … the prophets”
3:7 v3ey rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing unless he reveals … prophets 0 This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “Surely the Lord Yahweh will reveal … prophets before he does anything” or “So also, the Lord will punish people only if he has revealed his plan to his servants the prophets”
3:8 b8bk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion The lion has roared; who will not fear? 0 Amos uses this question to remind people of what people do when a lion roars. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The lion has roared; so we know that everyone will be afraid.” or “The lion has roared; so of course everyone will be afraid.”
3:8 ext3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion The Lord Yahweh has spoken; who will not prophesy? 0 Amos uses this question to emphasize what people should already know about what prophets do when God speaks. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The Lord Yahweh has spoken; so we know that the prophets will prophesy.” or “The Lord Yahweh has spoken; so of course the prophets will prophesy.”
3:9 qpm1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification see what great confusion is in her 0 The word “her” refers to the city of Samaria. Cities were often spoken of as if they were women.
3:9 s3x8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit what great confusion is in her 0 Here “great confusion is in her” refers to people’s fear because of the fighting and rioting there. The word “confusion” can be translated with a verbal phrase to make this meaning explicit. Alternate translation: “how the people in Samaria riot” or “how the people in Samaria fight against one another” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
3:9 w5vx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns what oppression is in her 0 Here “oppression is in her” refers to leaders in Samaria oppressing the people. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **oppress**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “oppress” or “cause to suffer.” Alternate translation: “how the leaders oppress people” or “and how they cause people to suffer”
3:10 v5xa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy They store up violence and destruction 0 Here “violence and destruction” represent things they have taken by being violent and destructive. Alternate translation: “They store up things that they have violently stolen from others”
3:11 zag9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahweh says 0 It can be stated clearly who God was saying this to. Alternate translation: “Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahweh says to the people of Israel living in Samaria”
3:12 j2v9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile As the shepherd rescues … so will the people of Israel … be rescued 0 The Lord compares the people of Israel being rescued with an unsuccessful attempt to rescue an animal from a lion. They will not be completely rescued.
3:12 d9dl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs only, or a piece of an ear 0 It can be stated clearly that the shepherd tries to rescue the whole animal. Alternate translation: “As the shepherd tries to rescue an animal from the lion’s mouth, but is able to save only two legs or a piece of an ear”
3:12 t7nu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun As the shepherd … the lion 0 Here the phrases “the shepherd” and “the lion” refer to any shepherd or lion. Alternate translation: “As a shepherd … a lion”
3:12 wn55 they will be left with only the corner of a couch or a piece of a bed 0 This phrase shows that they will not be completely rescued. Almost all of their possessions will be stolen. This passage in Hebrew is difficult to understand, and some modern versions interpret it differently.
3:12 ln9g couch 0 This is a soft chair big enough to lie down on.
3:13 u9dn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Jacob 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. They were the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Jacob”
3:13 tw5j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated the similar phrase “this is Yahweh’s declaration” in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, has declared” or “this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, have declared”
3:14 z44y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I will also punish the altars of Bethel 0 People sinned against God by worshiping false gods at their altars. Here “punish the altars” represents punishing the people by destroying their altars. Alternate translation: “I will also destroy the altars at Bethel”
3:14 cy5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Your enemies will cut off the horns of the altars, and the horns will fall to the ground”
3:14 gi8t horns of the altar 0 People worshiped false gods at their altars. At the top corners of the altars there were pieces of metal shaped like bull horns. These horns were a symbol of the strength of their gods.
3:15 r11p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the winter house with the summer house 0 Some of the wealthy people had two houses: one that they lived in during the winter and one that they lived in during the summer. This refers to any winter and summer houses. Alternate translation: “the houses they live in during the winter and the houses they live in during the summer”
3:15 w3z9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification The houses of ivory will perish 0 God speaks of the houses being destroyed as if they were alive and would die. Alternate translation: “The houses of ivory will be destroyed” or “The houses of ivory will collapse”
3:15 law2 The houses of ivory 0 “the houses that are decorated with ivory.” This refers to houses that had decorations made of ivory on the walls and furniture. Ivory was very expensive, so only the wealthy people had things decorated with ivory.
3:15 i8hw ivory 0 the teeth and horns of large animals
3:15 vic1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the large houses will vanish 0 “the large houses will exist no more.” Here “vanish” represents being destroyed. Alternate translation: “the large houses will be destroyed”
3:15 n6kq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
4:intro wy7z 0 # Amos 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter is written in poetic form and is about the people’s refusal to listen to Yahweh even as he tries to point them back to himself.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Repetition\n\nThis chapter contains a repeated sentence: “Yet you have not returned to me —this is Yahweh’s declaration.” Please make sure this sentence is translated the same way each time to show the repetition. This repetition produces a list of sins Yahweh is mounting against his people. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]])
4:1 jn6e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you cows of Bashan, you who are in the mountain of Samaria 0 Amos speaks to the women of Israel who live in Samaria as if they were well-fed cows. Alternate translation: “you wealthy women who live in the mountains of Samaria, you who are like the well-fed cows of Bashan”
4:1 w7hi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj you who oppress the poor 0 The phrase “the poor” refers to poor people. Alternate translation: “you who oppress poor people”
4:1 mg4u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you who crush the needy 0 Hear “crush” is a metaphor that represents treating people badly. The phrase “the needy” refers to people who need help. Alternate translation: “you who treat needy people badly” or “you who hurt needy people” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
4:2 vj2b The Lord Yahweh has sworn by his holiness 0 This means that Yahweh promised that he would do something, and he assured people that he would do what he promised because he is holy.
4:2 znn4 the days will come on you 0 The word “you” refers to the wealthy women of Israel who lived in Samaria, but also includes men.
4:2 d7kr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the days will come on you when they will take you away with hooks 0 A time in the future when bad things will happen to the people is spoken of as if those days will attack the people. The word “they” refers to their enemies. Alternate translation: “There will be a time when your enemies will take you away with hooks”
4:2 xgg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism they will take you away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks 0 These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the enemy will capture the people like people catch fish. Alternate translation: “they will capture you as people capture animals, and they take you away” or “they will defeat you and cruelly force you to go away with them” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4:3 zrg7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive you will be thrown out toward Harmon 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they will throw you out toward Harmon” or “your enemies will force you to leave the city and go toward Harmon”
4:3 zu7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Harmon 0 This is either the name of a place that we do not know, or it refers to Mount Hermon. Some modern versions interpret it in that way.
4:3 th6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated these words in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
4:4 plw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony Go to Bethel and sin, to Gilgal and multiply sin 0 People would go to Bethel and Gilgal to make sacrifices to God, but they kept sinning anyway. God makes these commands to show that he is angry with them for doing these things. These commands can be expressed as statements. Alternate translation: “You go to Bethel to worship, but you sin. You go to Gilgal to worship, but you sin even more”
4:4 rpw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony bring your sacrifices … every three days 0 God makes these commands in order to show the people that he is angry that even though they do these things, they continue to sin against him in other ways. These commands can be expressed as statements. Alternate translation: “You bring your sacrifices … every three days, but it does you no good.”
4:4 nz43 every three days 0 This could mean: (1) on the third day or (2) every third day. Some versions have “every three years,” because the Israelites were supposed to bring their tithes to God once every three years.
4:5 uc1y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice … proclaim freewill offerings; announce them, for this pleases 0 God makes these commands in order to show the people that even though they do these things, he is angry because they continue to sin against him in other ways. Use the form in your language that shows that they will do these things no matter what Yahweh says, but these things will do them no good.
4:5 xk7i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit for this pleases you, you people of Israel 0 Yahweh rebukes them for being proud about their offerings and sacrifices. They think that God should be pleased with them, but he is not. Alternate translation: “for this pleases you, you people of Israel. But it does not please me”
4:5 td4d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated the similar phrase “this is Yahweh’s declaration” in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what the Lord Yahweh declares” or “this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared”
4:6 d7qd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I gave you cleanness of teeth 0 Here having clean teeth represents having no food in the mouth to make the teeth dirty. Alternate translation: “I caused you to starve”
4:6 fi56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy lack of bread 0 Giving them “lack of bread” represents causing them to lack bread, and “bread” represents food in general. Alternate translation: “I caused you not to have enough food”
4:6 j831 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you have not returned to me 0 Returning to God represents submitting again to him. Alternate translation: “you have not submitted again to me”
4:6 vsj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated these words in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
4:7 zv4m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit when there were still three months to the harvest 0 It can be stated clearly that the people needed the rain. Alternate translation: “when there were still three months to the harvest and your crops needed the rain”
4:7 nmf3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive One piece of land was rained on 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The phrase “One piece of land” represents any piece of land.” Alternate translation: “It rained on one piece of land” or “It rained on some pieces of land”
4:7 uw18 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the piece of land where it did not rain 0 This refers to any piece of land where it did not rain. Alternate translation: “the pieces of land where it did not rain”
4:8 sd8l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Two or three cities staggered 0 Here “cities” represents the people of those cities. Alternate translation: “The people of two or three cities staggered”
4:8 ly7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you have not returned to me 0 Returning to God represents submitting again to him. See how you translated this in [Amos 4:6](../04/06.md). Alternate translation: “you have not submitted again to me”
4:8 p5ip rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated these words in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
4:9 cz91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I afflicted you with blight and mildew 0 Here “afflicted you” represents afflicting their crops. Alternate translation: “I afflicted your crops with blight and mildew” or “I destroyed your crops with blight and mildew”
4:9 s18c blight 0 This is a disease that dries and kills plants. It is caused by the hot wind from the desert.
4:9 q9at mildew 0 This is another disease that kills plants.
4:10 e3iy I sent a plague on you as on Egypt 0 Alternate translation: “I sent a plague on you as I did on Egypt” or “I sent a plague on you as I sent plagues on Egypt”
4:10 uqf3 I sent a plague on you 0 Alternate translation: “I caused terrible things to happen to you”
4:10 d4vk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I killed your young men with the sword 0 Here “the sword” represents battle. God killed them by sending enemies to fight against them. Alternate translation: “I made your enemies kill your men in battle”
4:10 g3ig rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy carried away your horses 0 God speaks of causing the enemies to steal their horses as if he carried the horses away. Alternate translation: “I made your enemies take away your horses”
4:10 l8vu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy made the stench of your camp come up to your nostrils 0 A stench is a bad smell. The stench coming up to their nostrils represents them smelling something terrible. It can be stated clearly that the smell was from the dead bodies of those who were killed. Alternate translation: “I made you smell the terrible odor of the dead bodies in your camp” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
4:10 fz6m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you have not returned to me 0 Returning to God represents submitting again to him. See how you translated this in [Amos 4:6](../04/06.md). Alternate translation: “you have not submitted again to me”
4:10 lz2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated these words in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
4:11 cjh1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor You were like a burning stick snatched out of the fire 0 God speaks of those who survived the plague and war as if they were a burning stick that someone pulled out of a fire. Alternate translation: “Some of you survived, like a burning stick that someone pulls out of a fire” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
4:12 p5ze rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person prepare to meet your God 0 God says this to warn the people of Israel that he will judge them. Alternate translation: “prepare to meet me, your God” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
4:13 krg8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person he who forms the mountains … reveals his thoughts … is his name 0 It is not clear whether Amos is speaking about God, or God is speaking about himself. If God is speaking about himself, it can be translated with the words “I” and “me.” Alternate translation: “I who form the mountains … reveal my thoughts … is my name”
4:13 n7pa makes the morning darkness 0 This could mean: (1) God causes the day to be very dark with thick clouds. Alternate translation: “makes the morning dark” or (2) God causes time to pass, so every day becomes night. Alternate translation: “makes morning and evening”
4:13 s3jv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor treads on the high places of the earth 0 God ruling over all the earth is spoken of as if he walks on the highest places of the earth. Alternate translation: “rules over all the earth” or “rules over even the highest places of the earth”
4:13 sha6 Yahweh, God of hosts, is his name 0 By declaring his full name, Yahweh is declaring his power and authority to do these things. Your language may have a way for people to do this.
5:intro w1eh 0 # Amos 5 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter continues to be written in a poetic format and foretells the destruction of the kingdom of Israel.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Place Names\n\nThis chapter refers to various places in land of Israel (i.e. Gilgal, Bethel, Beersheba). Normally these places have good connotations, but here they are referred to negatively. This is most likely because these cities became known for their idol worship. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### City gate\n\nThe “city gate” is mentioned several times. This was a place where people would go with legal and financial issues. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:1 u6w8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of Israel 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants. Alternate translation: “you people of Israel” or “you Israelite people group”
5:2 cqa2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The virgin Israel has fallen … no one to raise her up 0 The phrase “The virgin Israel” represents the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel being destroyed and having no other nation to help them become strong again is spoken of as if it were a young woman who has fallen and has no one to raise her up. Alternate translation: “The nation of Israel is like a woman who has fallen … no one to help her get up”
5:2 lta8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive she is forsaken on her land 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People have forsaken her” or “they have abandoned her”
5:3 ecu7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun The city that went out with a thousand … the one that went out with a hundred 0 These phrases refer to any cities that sent out large numbers of soldiers. Alternate translation: “Cities that went out with a thousand … cities that went out with a hundred”
5:3 z3m4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The city that went out with a thousand will have a hundred left 0 The phrases “a thousand” and “a hundred” refer to a thousand soldiers and a hundred soldiers.
5:3 m7h5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The city that went out with a thousand 0 “The city that went out” represents the soldiers of that city going out. It can be stated clearly why they went out. Alternate translation: “The city out of which a thousand soldiers went to fight” or “The city that sent out a thousand soldiers to fight”
5:3 xna6 will have a hundred left 0 “will have a hundred soldiers who have not been killed” or “will have only a hundred soldiers still alive.” Here being “left” refers to not being killed by the enemy.
5:4 u2lu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Seek me 0 Here “Seek me” represents asking God for help. Alternate translation: “Ask me for help”
5:5 gux2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Do not seek Bethel 0 Here “seek Bethel” represents going to Bethel to ask for help. Alternate translation: “Do not go to Bethel to ask for help”
5:5 ixk2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy For Gilgal will surely go into captivity 0 Here “Gilgal” represents the people of Gilgal, and going into captivity refers to being captured and taken away. Alternate translation: “For the people of Gilgal will surely be captured and taken away” or “For your enemies will surely capture the people of Gilgal and take them away”
5:5 fdq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Bethel will become nothing 0 Here “become nothing” represents being destroyed. Alternate translation: “Bethel will be completely destroyed” or “enemies will completely destroy Bethel”
5:6 a5vv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Seek Yahweh 0 Here “Seek Yahweh” represents asking him for help. Alternate translation: “Ask Yahweh for help” or “Ask me, Yahweh, for help”
5:6 vc8n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile he will break out like fire 0 Here “break out like a fire” represents destroying things as fire destroys things. Alternate translation: “he will become like a fire that breaks out suddenly and destroys everything” or “he will destroy everything like a fire”
5:6 tcz9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Joseph 0 This phrase is a metonym for the descendants of Joseph. Here it represents the northern kingdom of Israel, whose two largest tribes were the descendants of Joseph. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Joseph” or “Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
5:6 it6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor It will devour 0 The word “it” refers to the fire, and “devour” represents destroying everything. God destroying everything is spoken of as if a fire were to destroy everything. Alternate translation: “It will destroy everything” or “He will destroy everything”
5:6 ir1n there will be no one to quench it 0 Alternate translation: “there will no one to stop it” or “there will be no one to stop him from destroying everything”
5:7 eqb9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor turn justice into a bitter thing 0 Here “a bitter thing” represents actions that harm people, and “turn justice into a bitter thing” represents harming people rather than doing for them what is just. Alternate translation: “say that they are doing what is just, but instead they harm people” or “refuse to do what is just and harm people instead”
5:7 jjl7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor throw righteousness down to the ground 0 This represents treating righteousness as if it were worthless. Alternate translation: “treat righteousness as though it were as unimportant as dirt” or “you despise what is righteous”
5:8 uny6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown the Pleiades and Orion 0 People saw patterns in the stars in the sky and gave names to them. These are two of those patterns. Alternate translation: “the stars” or “the groups of stars”
5:8 fkp9 he turns darkness into the morning … day dark with night 0 “he makes the night become morning, and he makes the day become night.” This refers to causing the times of the day.
5:8 jzr4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor calls for the waters … on the surface of the earth 0 This represents God causing the sea water to fall on the earth as rain. Alternate translation: “he takes the waters of the sea and makes them rain down on the surface of the earth”
5:9 u2if rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns He brings sudden destruction on the strong 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **destruction**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “destroy.” The phrase “the strong” refers to strong people, specifically soldiers. Alternate translation: “He suddenly destroys the strong people” or “He suddenly destroys the soldiers” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
5:9 t2g1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns so that destruction comes on the fortresses 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **destruction**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “destroy.” Alternate translation: “so that the fortresses are destroyed” or “and he destroys the fortresses”
5:11 sm1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit you will not drink their wine 0 The word “their” refers to the vineyards. This may imply that no one will make the wine, or even that there will not be enough good grapes to make wine. Alternate translation: “you will not drink the wine that is made from the grapes in your vineyards”
5:12 mkx5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the just 0 The word “just” is a nominal adjective that refers to just people. Alternate translation: “just people” or “righteous people”
5:12 pnt4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit turn aside the needy in the city gate 0 Here “turn aside the needy” represents telling the needy people to leave. It can be made clear why the needy were at the city gate. Alternate translation: “do not allow poor people to bring their cases to the judges in the city gate”
5:12 hqu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the needy 0 The word “needy” is a nominal adjective that refers to people who are in need. Alternate translation: “people in need”
5:13 zgm3 any prudent person is silent 0 Those who do not want the evil people to harm them will not speak out against the evil deeds. Alternate translation: “wise people do not speak about the evil things people are doing”
5:13 nb9w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy for it is an evil time 0 Here “an evil time” represents a time when people are evil and do evil deeds. Alternate translation: “for it is a time when people are evil” or “for people do evil things”
5:14 i1vc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Seek good and not evil 0 Here “Seek good” represents choosing to do what good. “Good” and “evil” represent good actions and evil actions. Alternate translation: “Choose to do what is good and not what is evil”
5:15 tqy7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom establish justice in the city gate 0 Here “establish justice” represents making sure that justice is done. Alternate translation: “make sure that justice is done in the city gates” or “make sure that the judges make just decisions in the city gates”
5:15 jkw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit in the city gate 0 City gates were where business transactions occurred and judgments were made, because city walls were thick enough to have gateways that produced cool shade from the hot sun Alternate translation: “in your courts”
5:15 eb3d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the remnant of Joseph 0 Here “remnant” refers to people who are still living in Israel after the others are killed or taken away as captives. Here “Joseph” represents the northern kingdom of Israel, whose two largest tribes were the descendants of Joseph. See how you translated “house of Joseph” in [Amos 5:6](../05/06.md). Alternate translation: “the descendants of Joseph who are still alive” or “those of Israel who survive”
5:16 n1g7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis the mourners to wail 0 The phrase “they will call” is understood from the beginning of the sentence. Alternate translation: “they will call the mourners to wail”
5:17 gr4q I will pass through your midst 0 God speaks of punishing the people as if he were to come and punish them while walking through the group of them. Alternate translation: “I will come and punish you” or “I will punish you”
5:18 k3dk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why do you long for the day of Yahweh? 0 God uses this question to rebuke the people for saying that they want the day of Yahweh to be soon. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You long for the day of Yahweh.” or “You should not long for the day of Yahweh!”
5:18 e1im rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor It will be darkness and not light 0 Here “darkness” represents a time when disasters happen, and “light” represents a time when good things happen. Alternate translation: “It will be a time of darkness and disaster, not of light and blessing” or “On that day there will be disasters, not blessings”
5:20 azx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will not the day of Yahweh be darkness and not light? 0 This question emphasizes that bad things will happen then. It can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “The day of Yahweh will certainly be darkness and not light!” or “Bad things, not good things, will certainly happen on the day of Yahweh!”
5:20 l68z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Gloom and no brightness? 0 The words “Will not the day of Yahweh be” is understood from the previous sentence. Like the previous question, it emphasizes that terrible things, not good things, will happen on the day of Yahweh. It can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “It will be a time of when terrible things, not good things, will happen. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
5:21 t6lg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet I hate, I despise your festivals 0 The word “despise” is a strong word for “hate.” Together the two words emphasize the intensity of Yahweh’s hatred for their religious festivals. Alternate translation: “I hate your festivals very much”
5:23 i5jv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Remove from me the noise of your songs 0 This speaks of the noise of songs as if it could be put somewhere else. It represents stopping singing. Alternate translation: “Stop singing your noisy songs”
5:24 nn21 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile let justice flow like water, and righteousness like a constantly flowing stream 0 This represents causing there to be much justice and righteous. Alternate translation: “let there be so much justice that it is like flowing water, and let there be so much righteousness that it is like a constantly flowing stream” or “let justice abound like a flood, and let righteousness abound like a stream that never stops”
5:25 a3v7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did you bring me sacrifices … Israel? 0 This could mean: (1) God uses this question to rebuke them because they did not offer sacrifices. Alternate translation: “You did not bring me sacrifices … Israel.” or (2) God uses this question to remind them that the sacrifices were not the most important part about their relationship. Alternate translation: “You did not have to bring me sacrifices … Israel.”
5:25 ye8l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Did you bring 0 God speaks as though the Israelites he is speaking to were part of the group that wandered in the wilderness. Alternate translation: “Did your ancestors bring”
5:25 fma5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of Israel 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants. See how you translated it in [Amos 5:1](../05/01.md). Alternate translation: “you people of Israel” or “you Israelite people group”
5:26 qnx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy You have lifted up the images of Sikkuth … and Kaiwan 0 Here “lifted up the images” represents worshiping them. Alternate translation: “You have worshiped the images of Sikkuth … and Kaiwan”
5:26 tjr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Sikkuth … Kaiwan 0 These are the names of two false gods. The people had made images to represent them.
6:intro cn1s 0 # Amos 6 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter continues to be written in poetic style except for verses 9–10, which are in prose. These two verses contain many interested features.\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\nVerses 9–10 will probably be difficult to translate because the situation is vague and details don’t appear to align easily. It is appropriate to translate these verses with some ambiguity remaining. It may be helpful to read many different versions prior to translating these verses.
6:1 ut6j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony the notable men of the best of the nations 0 “the most important men of this great nation.” Yahweh may be using irony to describe how these men think of themselves. Alternate translation: “the men who think they are the most important people in the best nation”
6:1 s17g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Israel comes 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants. Alternate translation: “the Israelites come” or “the Israelite people group comes”
6:1 zhm4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go comes for help 0 Here “comes” can be stated as “goes.” Alternate translation: “goes for help”
6:2 w9i9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kalneh 0 This is the name of a city.
6:2 fd2m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are they better than your two kingdoms? 0 The notable men use this question to emphasize that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah are better than those other kingdoms. Alternate translation: “Your two kingdoms are better than they are.”
6:2 h68z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is their border larger than your border? 0 The notable men use this question to emphasize that their kingdoms are larger than those other kingdoms. Alternate translation: “Their border is smaller than yours.” or “Those countries are smaller than Judah and Samaria.”
6:3 hft9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor to those who put off the day of disaster 0 Refusing to believe that Yahweh will cause disaster is spoken of as if the “day of disaster” were an object the people could put far from themselves. Alternate translation: “to those who refuse to believe that I will cause them to experience disaster”
6:3 k8kh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy and make the throne of violence come near 0 Here “throne” is a metonym that represents reign or rule. The people doing evil things, which causes Yahweh to bring disaster on them, is spoken of as if they were causing “violence” to rule them. Alternate translation: “but who are actually causing me to send violent people to destroy you” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6:4 t9gg couches 0 soft seats large enough to lie down on
6:5 x1kv they improvise on instruments 0 This could mean: (1) they invent new songs and ways of playing the instruments or (2) they invent new instruments.
6:6 wq23 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit drink wine from bowls 0 This implies that they drink a lot of wine because they drink it from a large bowl rather than a regular wine cup.
6:6 dxk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy they do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph 0 Here “Joseph” represents his descendants. Alternate translation: “they do not grieve about the descendants of Joseph whom enemies will soon destroy”
6:7 p1et they will now go into exile with the first exiles 0 Alternate translation: “they will be among the first ones to go into exile” or “I will send them into exile first”
6:7 g684 the feasts of those who lounge about will pass away 0 Alternate translation: “there will be no more feasts for people to lie around at ease”
6:8 kz1e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in [Amos 3:13](../03/13.md). Alternate translation: “this is what the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, has declared” or “this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, have declared”
6:8 l8fw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I detest the pride of Jacob 0 Here “Jacob” represents his descendants. Alternate translation: “I hate the descendants of Jacob because they have become arrogant”
6:8 n646 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I hate his fortresses 0 It is implied that Yahweh hates the fortresses because the people believed the fortresses would keep them safe. Alternate translation: “I hate the people of Israel because they trust in their fortresses, not in me, to protect them”
6:9 y9m6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo 0 # General Information:\n\nIn 6:9–10 Amos describes a hypothetical situation of what it will be like when Yahweh hands the people of Israel over to their enemies.
6:9 rz49 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit if there are ten men left in one house, they will all die 0 This seems to imply that something terrible is happening, and these ten men go into the house to hide. Alternate translation: “if ten men are hiding inside of a house, they will all still die”
6:10 s8i5 a man’s relative comes to take their bodies up—the one who is to cremate them after bringing the corpses out of the house—if he says to the person in the house, “Is … you?” 0 The meaning of these words is not clear. This could mean: (1) the “man’s relative” is the one who will “take their bodies up” and “cremate … the corpses,” and he speaks to a person who hid in the house after the ten family members died or (2) the “man’s relative” who “comes to take their bodies up” is a different person from “the one who is to cremate … the corpses,” and they talk to each other in the house. Alternate translation: “a man’s relative comes to take their bodies up, and the one who will burn the corpses after they have been brought out of the house is with him—if while they are in the house the relative says to the burner of the corpses, ‘Is … you?’”
6:10 qj51 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Then he will say, “Be quiet, for we must not mention Yahweh’s name.” 0 The meaning of this is not clear. It seems to imply that the one who asked the question is afraid the one answering will mention Yahweh’s name carelessly. If he does this, it may draw Yahweh’s attention to them, and he may kill them too.
6:11 q1t3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism the big house will be smashed to pieces, and the little house to bits 0 These two phrases share similar meanings. The contrast between “the big house” and “the little house” means that this refers to all houses. Alternate translation: “all the houses will be smashed into small pieces” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
6:11 j5da rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the big house will be smashed to pieces 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the enemy will smash the big house to pieces”
6:11 q1uc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis the little house to bits 0 This can be stated with the understood information included. Alternate translation: “enemies will smash the little house to bits”
6:12 i1av rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Do horses run on the rocky cliffs? 0 It is impossible for a horse to run on rocky cliffs without getting hurt. Amos uses this rhetorical question to rebuke them for their actions. Alternate translation: “Horses do not run on rocky cliffs.”
6:12 v9sc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Does one plow there with oxen? 0 One does not plow on rocky ground. Amos uses this rhetorical question to rebuke them for their actions. Alternate translation: “A person does not plow with oxen on rocky ground.”
6:12 fbq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yet you have turned justice into poison 0 Distorting what is just is spoken of as if the leaders “turned justice into poison.” Alternate translation: “Yet you distort what is just” or “But you make laws that hurt innocent people”
6:12 w7di rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism the fruit of righteousness into bitterness 0 This means basically the same thing as the first part of the sentence. Distorting what is right is spoken of as if righteousness were a sweet fruit that the people made bitter tasting. Alternate translation: “you distort what is right” or “you punish those who do what is right” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
6:13 dfq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Lo Debar … Karnaim 0 These are names of towns.
6:13 c8kb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Have we not taken Karnaim by our own strength? 0 The people use a question to emphasize that they believe they captured a city because of their own power. Alternate translation: “We captured Karnaim by our own power!”
6:14 u8j4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in [Amos 3:13](../03/13.md). Alternate translation: “this is what the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, has declared” or “this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, have declared”
6:14 alt4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from Lebo Hamath to the brook of the Arabah 0 Here “Lebo Hamath” represents the northern border of Israel, and “brook of the Arabah” represents the southern border. Alternate translation: “from the northern border of your nation to the southern border”
6:14 jfe8 brook 0 a small river that flows only during the wet season
7:intro vkd3 0 # Amos 7 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter is mainly written as a narrative about the prophet Amos interacting with Yahweh. Yahweh presents three different scenarios of judgment before Amos who pleads with God and he does not carry out His judgment. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Reported speech\n\nIn the latter part of the chapter, it is important to follow the conversation carefully to understand who is speaking. There are some instances of “reported speech.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
7:2 w1h8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis please forgive 0 The words “your people” or “us” are understood. Alternate translation: “please forgive your people” or “please forgive us”
7:2 wj76 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy how will Jacob survive? For he is so small. 0 Here “Jacob” represents his descendants the Israelites. Alternate translation: “how will we Israelites survive? We are so small and weak!”
7:5 l5ir rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy how will Jacob survive? For he is so small. 0 Here “Jacob” represents his descendants the Israelites. See how you translated this in [Amos 7:2](../07/02.md). Alternate translation: “how will the Israelites survive? We are so small and weak!”
7:8 tbb9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion what do you see? 0 Yahweh uses a question to teach Amos. Alternate translation: “tell me what you see.”
7:8 t5nq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will put a plumb line among my people Israel 0 Judging the people and determining they are wicked is spoken of as if the Israelites were a wall, and Yahweh determines the wall is not straight by using a plumb line. Alternate translation: “my people Israel are wicked. They are like a wall that is not straight up and down”
7:9 j2t3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The high places of Isaac will be destroyed, the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword 0 Here “sword” represents an army. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will send an army to attack the house of Jeroboam, and the army will destroy the high places of Isaac and the sanctuaries of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
7:9 u5md rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Isaac … Israel 0 Both of these represent the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Isaac … the people of Israel”
7:9 g5em rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Jeroboam 0 Here “house” represents “family.” Translate “Jeroboam” as you did in [Amos 1:1](../01/01.md). Alternate translation: “Jeroboam and his family”
7:10 g3gt Amaziah, the priest of Bethel 0 This could mean: (1) Amaziah was the only priest at Bethel or (2) Amaziah was the leader of the priests at Bethel.
7:10 wue4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Amaziah 0 This is the name of a man.
7:10 xez3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Amos has conspired against you in the middle of the house of Israel 0 Here “house” represents “people.” Alternate translation: “Amos is right here among the Israelites, and he is planning to do bad things to you”
7:10 zcx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The land cannot bear all his words 0 Here “land” represents “people.” Disrupting the peace is spoken of as if Amos’s words were a heavy object that the land could not carry. Alternate translation: “What his is saying disturb the peace among the people” or “His message will cause trouble among the people” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
7:11 s5sq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Jeroboam will die by the sword 0 Here “sword” represents the enemies. Alternate translation: “Enemies will kill Jeroboam”
7:12 bi7d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom there eat bread and prophesy 0 Here “eat bread” is an idiom that means to earn money or make a living for doing something. Alternate translation: “see if you can get the people there to pay you for prophesying” or “prophesy there and let them provide you with food”
7:13 f3rq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal house 0 Here “king’s sanctuary” and “royal house” refer to the same place. Alternate translation: “this is where the national temple is, the place where the king worships”
7:14 geh3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown sycamore fig trees 0 Sycamores are broad trees that grow up to 15 meters tall. Alternate translation: “fig trees”
7:16 dz72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy do not speak against the house of Isaac 0 Here “house” represents the family or descendants of Isaac. Alternate translation: “do not speak against the descendants of Isaac”
7:17 c3rd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword 0 Here “sword” represents enemies. Alternate translation: “enemies will kill your sons and daughters”
7:17 sqs6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive your land will be measured and divided up 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “other people will take your land and divide it up among themselves”
7:17 mr3m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor an unclean land 0 A land full of people that are unacceptable to God is spoken of as if the land were physically unclean. Here it means a land other than Israel. Alternate translation: “a foreign land”
8:intro h32s 0 # Amos 8 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter is written in poetic form and it shows the way Yahweh’s people are sinning and\nhow he is going to respond. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### “This is the declaration of Yahweh”\n\nThis phrase is used to introduce prophecy. It highlights what God is proclaiming. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])
8:1 m4g1 Look, a basket of summer fruit! 0 The word “look” here shows that Amos saw something interesting. Alternate translation: “I saw a basket of summer fruit!”
8:1 i65f summer fruit 0 Alternate translation: “ripe fruit”
8:2 ixx6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What do you see, Amos? 0 Yahweh uses a question to teach Amos. Alternate translation: “Tell me what you see, Amos.”
8:3 y5rl in that day 0 Alternate translation: “at that time”
8:3 zv6m Silence! 0 This could mean: (1) Yahweh is to telling the people to be silent as they hear about the severity of his punishment or (2) the people will be silent because of their grief after Yahweh’s punishment.
8:4 jya8 Listen to this 0 Amos is speaking to the wealthy merchants who harm those who are poor.
8:4 sm8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj you who trample the needy and remove the poor of the land 0 This can be restated to remove the nominal adjectives “the needy” and “the poor.” Alternate translation: “you who trample those who are in need and remove those in the land that are poor”
8:4 jhz4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you who trample 0 Harming people is spoken of as if it were stomping on people. Alternate translation: “you who harm” or “you who oppress”
8:5 p2sp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion They say, “When will the new moon be over, so we can sell grain again? When will the Sabbath day be over, so that we can sell wheat? 0 The merchants use theses question to emphasize that want to start selling their items again. This can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “They are always asking when the new moon will be over or when the Sabbath will be over so that can sell their grain and wheat again.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
8:5 t9jd We will make the measure small and increase the price, as we cheat with false scales 0 The merchants would use false scales that showed that the amount of grain they were giving was greater than it really was and that the weight of the payment was less than it really was.
8:6 y683 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis the needy for a pair of sandals 0 The words “and buy” are understood. Alternate translation: “buy the needy for a pair of sandals”
8:7 by14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh has sworn by the pride of Jacob 0 Here “pride of Jacob” is a title for Yahweh. Also “Jacob” represents his descendants, the Israelites. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has sworn by himself, saying” or “Yahweh, of whom the Israelites are so proud, has sworn”
8:8 dgd5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will not the land quake for this, and every one who lives in it mourn? 0 Amos uses a question to emphasize that these things will certainly happen. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will cause the land to shake, and every one who lives in it will mourn.”
8:8 phh2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile All of it will rise up like the Nile River … like the river of Egypt 0 Amos compares the rising and sinking of the waters of the Nile River to how Yahweh will cause the land to shake when he judges the people.
8:10 ng1i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction have baldness on every head 0 A person shaves his head to show that he is grieving. Alternate translation: “cause you all to shave your heads”
8:10 tj9n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis like mourning for an only son 0 It is understood that the only son has died. Alternate translation: “like mourning for an only son who has died”
8:10 g3j6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor a bitter day to its end 0 Terrible and sad things happening during a day is spoken of as if the day had a bitter taste. Alternate translation: “everything that happens at that time will cause you great sorrow”
8:11 f43n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the days are coming 0 This speaks of a future time as if “days are coming.” Alternate translation: “there will be a time” or “in the future”
8:11 i4s1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor when I will send a famine in the land … but for hearing the words of Yahweh 0 Yahweh refusing to give messages when the people want to hear from him is spoken of as if there would be a famine of his words. Alternate translation: “when I will cause something like a famine in the land … but for hearing the words of Yahweh”
8:11 f1wu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person the words of Yahweh 0 This can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: “words from me, Yahweh” or “my messages”
8:12 ez94 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism They will stagger from sea to sea; they will run from the north to the east to seek the word of Yahweh 0 Here “sea to sea” and “the north to the east” represent all of the land of Israel. Alternate translation: “They will wander here and there and search all over for the word of Yahweh”
8:12 g73n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit from sea to sea 0 This implies the Dead Sea in the south and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
8:14 sg5b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy by the sin of Samaria 0 Here “sin” represents the false god the people worship in Samaria. Alternate translation: “by the false god of Samaria”
8:14 xsl2 As your god lives, Dan 0 This is a way of making a solemn oath. The people declare that they believe the god of Dan is certainly alive to emphasize that they will certainly do what they promise to do.
8:14 bfm8 As the way to Beersheba exists 0 This is probably a reference to the roads that pilgrims would take to Beersheba in order to worship idols there. Again, this is a way of making a solemn oath. They state that the way to Beersheba certainly exists in order to emphasize that they will certainly do what they promise to do.
9:intro ych5 0 # Amos 9 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter is written in poetic form and continues to show the awesome and terrible judgment of Yahweh on his people. In verse 11, the writer writes about the forgiveness and mercy of God on the kingdom of Israel. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/forgive]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### “The declaration of Yahweh”\nThis phrase is used to introduce prophecy. It highlights what God is proclaiming. Try to remain consistent in translating this phrase throughout the book. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])
9:1 rj89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Strike the tops of the pillars so that the foundations will shake 0 It is implied that Yahweh is speaking about the pillars and foundations of a temple.
9:1 bl1r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche so that the foundations will shake 0 Here “foundations” represents the whole temple. Alternate translation: “so that the whole temple will shake”
9:1 x4lx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Break them in pieces on all of their heads 0 Here “heads” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “Break the pillars so that the temple falls on all of the people and kills them”
9:1 r9h6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I will kill the last of them with the sword 0 Here “sword” represents an army attacking with their weapons. Alternate translation: “I will send an enemy army to kill the rest of them”
9:2 gx89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Though they dig into Sheol, there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to heaven, there I will bring them down 0 Yahweh uses an exaggerated image of people fleeing to Sheol or heaven to try to escape being killed. Here “Sheol” and “heaven” are a merism that represents all places. Alternate translation: “Even if they were to flee to Sheol or to heaven, they would not be able to escape me” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
9:2 v2qa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy there my hand will take them 0 Here “hand” represents Yahweh’s power. Alternate translation: “I will pull them up from there”
9:3 lgc3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Though they hide on the top of Carmel … Though they are hidden from my sight in the bottom of the sea 0 Yahweh gives an exaggerated image of the people fleeing to the top of mount Carmel or to the bottom of the sea to escape being killed. Here “top of Carmel” and “bottom of the sea” are a merism that represents all places. Alternate translation: “Even if they were to hide on the top of Carmel … Even if they tried to go the bottom sea, thinking that I could not see them” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
9:4 z1fj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Though they go into captivity, driven by their enemies before them 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Though enemies capture them and force them to go to a foreign land”
9:4 rm94 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy there will I give orders to the sword, and it will kill them 0 Here “sword” represents their enemies. Alternate translation: “there I will cause their enemies to kill them”
9:4 p2p1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I will keep my eyes on them for harm and not for good 0 Here “eyes” represents seeing. The phrase “keep my eyes on them” is an idiom that means to watch closely. Alternate translation: “I will watch closely and make sure only bad things happen to them and not good things” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
9:5 v6tg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile all of it will rise up like the River, and sink again like the river of Egypt 0 Here “the River” and “river of Egypt” both refer to the Nile river. Yahweh causing the land to shake violently is compared to the waters of the Nile river rising and sinking.
9:6 mvb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy he who builds his steps in the heavens 0 These are probably the steps that ancient people imagined led up to God’s palace in the heavens. However, some modern versions wish to read a different Hebrew word meaning “palace” or “rooms.” Here “his steps” probably is a metonym for God’s palace.
9:6 i2gt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit has established his vault over the earth 0 Here “vault” refers to the sky which biblical writers described as being a dome over the earth. Alternate translation: “he sets the sky over the earth”
9:6 c441 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He calls for the waters of the sea … on the surface of the earth 0 This represents God causing the sea water to fall on the earth as rain. See how you translated this in [Amos 5:8](../05/08.md). Alternate translation: “He takes the waters of the sea and makes them rain down on the surface of the earth”
9:6 l573 Yahweh is his name 0 By declaring his name, Yahweh is declaring his power and authority to do these things. See how you translated this in [Amos 5:8](../05/08.md).
9:7 zrb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are you not like the people of Cush to me, & Israel—this … declaration—did I not bring up Israel … the Philistines … the Arameans from Kir? 0 Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that the people of Israel are no more special to him than the people of Cush, the Philistines, and the Arameans. Alternate translation: “You people of Israel, you are certainly no more important to me than the people of Cush—this … declaration—I brought up Israel … the Philistines … the Arameans from Kir.”
9:7 g7zv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated these words in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this i what I, Yahweh, have declared”
9:8 c978 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the eyes of the Lord Yahweh are on the sinful kingdom 0 Here “eyes” represents seeing. Also, Yahweh speaks of himself in third person. Alternate translation: “I, the Lord Yahweh, see that the people of this kingdom are very sinful” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
9:8 exs8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I will destroy it from the face of the earth 0 The idiom “from the face of the earth” means “completely.” Alternate translation: “I will completely destroy this kingdom”
9:8 qv9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Jacob 0 Here “house” represents a family. And, “Jacob” represents his descendants. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Jacob”
9:9 ka3c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Israel 0 Here “house” represents the people. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel”
9:9 m5bp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile I will shake the house of Israel … as one shakes grain in a sieve, so that not the smallest stone will fall to the ground 0 The picture here is of grain falling through the sieve and stones being kept out. The idea is that Yahweh will remove all of the sinful people from Israel.
9:10 rxt3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy All the sinners of my people will die by the sword 0 Here “sword” represents their enemies. Alternate translation: “Enemies will kill all the sinners of my people”
9:10 rgi9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Disaster will not overtake or meet us 0 Experiencing disaster is spoken of as disaster could overtake or meet someone. Alternate translation: “We will not experience disaster” or “Bad things will not happen to us”
9:11 m4ub rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will raise up the tent of David that has fallen 0 Causing the people of Israel to be great again is spoken of as if David’s kingdom were a tent that fell down and Yahweh will set it back up. Alternate translation: “David’s kingdom will be like tent that has fallen down, but I will raise it back up again”
9:11 gh6q close up its breaches 0 Alternate translation: “I will repair its walls”
9:11 pje4 I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old 0 Alternate translation: “I will rebuild its ruins and make it strong like it was long ago”
9:11 b46a breaches 0 parts of a wall that have fallen down
9:12 fi4l the remnant of Edom 0 Alternate translation: “the remaining part of Edom’s territory”
9:12 gc63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy all the nations that are called by my name 0 Here “name” represents Yahweh. The idiom “called by my name” means they once belonged to Yahweh. This means that in the past the people had conquered and taken control of these territories. Alternate translation: “all the nations that once belonged to me” or “all the nations that I caused the people of Israel to conquer in the past” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
9:13 q7il rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the days will come … when the plowman 0 A future time is spoken of as if “days will come.” Alternate translation: “there will be a time … when the plowman” or “in the future … the plowman”
9:13 yi58 when the plowman … him who plants seed 0 These are two images of Yahweh restoring prosperity in Israel. This means grain will grow faster than the people can harvest it, and there will be so many grapes, those crushing the grapes will still be working when farmers start planting more vineyards.
9:13 s1fu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person this is Yahweh’s declaration 0 Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in [Amos 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
9:13 i41r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism The mountains will drip sweet wine, and all the hills will flow with it 0 These two lines mean basically the same thing. The huge amount of grapes and wine in Israel is spoken of as if wine flows down the hills and mountains. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
9:15 cl8k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will plant them upon their land, and they will never again be uprooted from the land 0 Bringing the people back to their land and keeping them safe from enemies is spoken of as if Israel were a plant that Yahweh would put in the ground and not let anyone pull the plant up from the ground. Alternate translation: “I will cause them to live in the land forever like a plant that is never uprooted”
9:15 xry4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive they will never again be uprooted from the land 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will ever again uproot them from the land”
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