Amos 2:13
Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.
Original Language Analysis
תַּחְתֵּיכֶ֑ם
H8478
תַּחְתֵּיכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
4 of 10
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָעֲגָלָ֔ה
under you as a cart
H5699
הָעֲגָלָ֔ה
under you as a cart
Strong's:
H5699
Word #:
7 of 10
something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle
Historical Context
Amos prophesied during Jeroboam II's prosperous reign (793-753 BC) when Israel experienced territorial expansion and economic boom. The agricultural metaphor would resonate with his audience—harvest carts piled dangerously high with grain represented wealth but also potential disaster if overloaded. The subsequent Assyrian invasion (722 BC) fulfilled Amos's prophecy: Israel's military might proved useless against divine judgment executed through human agents.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of God 'pressed down' by accumulated sin challenge modern assumptions that God's patience is unlimited?
- In what ways do we overload God's patience through persistent, unrepentant sin while presuming His grace has no boundaries?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves (הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מֵעִיק תַּחְתֵּיכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר תָּעִיק הָעֲגָלָה הַמְלֵאָה לָהּ עָמִיר)—This vivid agricultural metaphor has challenged translators. The Hebrew me'iq (מֵעִיק) from 'uq means "to press" or "cause to totter." Some render it "I will press you down" (ESV), while KJV maintains "I am pressed under you." Either way, the image is of an overloaded cart groaning under excessive weight, ready to collapse.
The metaphor likely depicts God's patience strained to breaking by Israel's sins—like a cart groaning under sheaves at harvest. The phrase ha'agalah hamle'ah lah 'amir (the cart full of sheaves) creates the image of maximum capacity exceeded. Just as the overloaded cart must eventually break or dump its load, so God's forbearance has limits. Amos has catalogued Israel's sins: oppressing the poor (2:6-7), sexual immorality at pagan shrines (2:7), extortion and temple defilement (2:8), ingratitude for God's redemption (2:9-11), and silencing prophets (2:12). The accumulation becomes unbearable.
This verse introduces the judgment oracle (vv. 13-16) where God describes the coming devastation. The warriors' flight, the archer's inability to stand, the swift unable to escape, the mighty losing strength, and even horsemen failing to deliver themselves—all demonstrate total military collapse. When God rises in judgment, human strength proves utterly insufficient. The metaphor warns that divine patience, though great, has boundaries. Accumulated sin eventually brings catastrophic judgment.