Matthew Henry on Amos 5:16-20
Here is, I. A very terrible threatening of destruction approaching, Amo 5:16, Amo 5:17. Since they would not take the right course to obtain the favour of God, God would take an effectual course to make them feel the weight of his displeasure. The threatening is introduced with more than ordinary solemnity, to strike an awe upon them; it is not the word of the prophet only (if so, it might be made light of) but it is the Lord Jehovah, who has an infinite eternal being; it is the God of hosts, who has a boundless irresistible power, and it is Adonai - the Lord, who has an absolute incontestable sovereignty, and a universal dominion; it is he who says it, who can and will make his words good,…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 5:17
in all vineyards . . . wailing--where usually songs of joy were heard.
pass through thee--taking vengeance (Exo 12:12, Exo 12:23; Nah 1:12). "Pass over" and "pass by," on the contrary, are used of God's forgiving (Exo 12:23; Mic 7:18; compare Amo 7:8).
Adam Clarke on Amos 5:17
And in all vineyards shall be wailing - The places where festivity especially used to prevail.
I will pass through thee - As I passed, by the ministry of the destroying angel, through Egypt, not to spare, but to destroy.
John Gill on Amos 5:17
And in all vineyards shall be wailing,.... The vines being destroyed, and no grapes to be gathered, and put into the press; when there used to be great shoutings, and large expressions of joy, at the gathering in of the vintage, and pressing the grapes; but now there shall be a different tone; see Jeremiah 48:32;
for I will pass through thee, saith the Lord; through their cities, towns, and country, fields and vineyards, and destroy all in his way, as he passed through Egypt when he destroyed their firstborn.
John Calvin on Amos 5:17
Amos 5:17
17. And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the Lord
17. Et in omnibus vineis lamentum, quia transibo in medio tui, inquit Jehova.
A reason is now added, why the whole country would be taken up with lamentation and mourning; for the Lord would pass through the whole land. Surely nothing was more to be desired, than that God should visit his own land; but he here declares that he would pass through as an enemy. As then an enemy runs through a country and spreads devastation wherever he comes, such would be the passing through, which the Prophet now threatens. "God, then, of whom ye boast, as dwelling in the midst of you, will come forth, lay was…
