Amos 2:8
And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חֲבֻלִים֙
laid to pledge
H2254
חֲבֻלִים֙
laid to pledge
Strong's:
H2254
Word #:
3 of 12
to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e., to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of partur
יַטּ֔וּ
And they lay themselves down
H5186
יַטּ֔וּ
And they lay themselves down
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
4 of 12
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲנוּשִׁים֙
of the condemned
H6064
עֲנוּשִׁים֙
of the condemned
Strong's:
H6064
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to urge; by implication, to inflict a penalty, specifically, to fine
Historical Context
Israel maintained elaborate worship at Bethel, Dan, and other shrines, complete with sacrifices, festivals, and priestly rituals. But this worship was both idolatrous (golden calves) and hypocritical (combined with injustice). Jesus condemned similar hypocrisy in Matthew 23. Paul warned that religious observance without love is worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The prophets consistently teach that God values justice and mercy over ritual (Hosea 6:6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does participation in worship while ignoring injustice mock God rather than honor Him?
- What modern religious practices might parallel Israel's combination of elaborate worship and economic oppression?
Analysis & Commentary
"And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god." This verse exposes hypocritical worship. Wealthy Israelites took poor people's clothes as collateral for loans (explicitly forbidden—Exodus 22:26-27, Deuteronomy 24:12-13 required returning cloaks by night), then used these garments as cushions during temple worship. They drank wine bought with money extracted through unjust fines ("wine of the condemned"). The phrase "in the house of their god" reveals the tragedy: they practiced empty religion while violating covenant law. God despises worship accompanied by injustice (Isaiah 1:11-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). The Reformed doctrine of justification by faith alone doesn't minimize good works—genuine faith necessarily produces love and justice (James 2:14-26, 1 John 3:17-18).