Amos 4:1
Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְע֞וּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֞וּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
הַבָּשָׁן֙
of Bashan
H1316
הַבָּשָׁן֙
of Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
5 of 16
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּהַ֣ר
that are in the mountain
H2022
בְּהַ֣ר
that are in the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
7 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָעֹשְׁק֣וֹת
which oppress
H6231
הָעֹשְׁק֣וֹת
which oppress
Strong's:
H6231
Word #:
9 of 16
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
דַּלִּ֔ים
the poor
H1800
דַּלִּ֔ים
the poor
Strong's:
H1800
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
הָרֹצְצ֖וֹת
which crush
H7533
הָרֹצְצ֖וֹת
which crush
Strong's:
H7533
Word #:
11 of 16
to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
לַאֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֖ם
to their masters
H113
לַאֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֖ם
to their masters
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
14 of 16
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
Cross References
Psalms 22:12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.Amos 6:1Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!Amos 5:11Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.Ezekiel 39:18Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.Ecclesiastes 4:1So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
Historical Context
Samaria, Israel's capital, featured palatial estates and luxury goods (confirmed archaeologically—ivory furniture, fine pottery, imported items). The wealthy lived lavishly while the poor faced debt slavery and exploitation. Amos's ministry targeted this inequality ruthlessly. His denunciation of elite women would have been shocking—prophets typically addressed male rulers and priests, but Amos holds everyone accountable.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we participate in or demand lifestyles funded by exploitation of others, even unwittingly?
- What does it mean to examine whether our comforts come at others' expense?
Analysis & Commentary
Amos addresses elite women: "Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink." "Kine of Bashan" compares wealthy women to well-fed cattle from Bashan's fertile region—an insult highlighting their pampered, self-indulgent lifestyle. These women "oppress the poor" and "crush the needy"—actively participating in injustice, not just passively benefiting. The phrase "say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink" depicts demanding luxury while others suffer. Their husbands ("masters") oppressed the poor to fund wives' extravagance. This teaches that injustice isn't only a male problem—women participating in or demanding lifestyle funded by oppression share guilt. The Reformed doctrine of sin affirms all humans, regardless of gender, are fallen and capable of evil.