Amos 4:3

Authorized King James Version

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And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וּפְרָצִ֥ים at the breaches H6556
וּפְרָצִ֥ים at the breaches
Strong's: H6556
Word #: 1 of 8
a break (literally or figuratively)
תֵּצֶ֖אנָה And ye shall go out H3318
תֵּצֶ֖אנָה And ye shall go out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 2 of 8
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אִשָּׁ֣ה every H802
אִשָּׁ֣ה every
Strong's: H802
Word #: 3 of 8
a woman
נֶגְדָּ֑הּ H5048
נֶגְדָּ֑הּ
Strong's: H5048
Word #: 4 of 8
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
וְהִשְׁלַכְתֶּ֥נָה cow at that which is before her and ye shall cast H7993
וְהִשְׁלַכְתֶּ֥נָה cow at that which is before her and ye shall cast
Strong's: H7993
Word #: 5 of 8
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
הַהַרְמ֖וֹנָה them into the palace H2038
הַהַרְמ֖וֹנָה them into the palace
Strong's: H2038
Word #: 6 of 8
a castle (from its height)
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 7 of 8
an oracle
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

Ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her (וּפְרָצִים תֵּצֶאנָה אִשָּׁה נֶגְדָּהּ)—Following Amos's scathing address to Samaria's elite women as 'kine of Bashan' (v. 1), this verse depicts their humiliating exile. Peratsim (breaches) refers to gaps smashed in city walls during siege warfare. Each woman exits straight ahead through the nearest breach—no orderly evacuation but panicked flight. Ye shall cast them into the palace (וְהִשְׁלַכְתֶּנָה הַהַרְמוֹנָה)—The Hebrew harmonah is difficult; some translate it as 'Harmon' (unknown location), others as 'the heap/dunghill,' indicating these pampered aristocrats will be dumped like refuse.

The imagery reverses Israel's conquest under Joshua. Then, God breached Jericho's walls for Israel's entrance (Joshua 6:20); now He breaches Samaria's walls for their exit into exile. The 'cows of Bashan' who oppressed the poor (v. 1) and demanded luxury are reduced to stampeding cattle—dehumanized, stripped of dignity, herded through rubble. Fulfilled literally when Assyria besieged Samaria (722 BC), deporting the population to Mesopotamia (2 Kings 17:6).

Historical Context

Bashan (modern Golan Heights) was famous for well-fed cattle on lush pastures. Calling Samaria's wealthy women 'cows of Bashan' condemned their self-indulgent luxury funded by oppression. Ancient Near Eastern sieges ended with wall demolition, through which captives were marched to exile. Archaeological evidence from Samaria shows massive destruction layers from the Assyrian conquest.

Questions for Reflection