Amos 6:5
That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֣י
to the sound
H6310
פִּ֣י
to the sound
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
3 of 9
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
הַנָּ֑בֶל
of the viol
H5035
הַנָּ֑בֶל
of the viol
Strong's:
H5035
Word #:
4 of 9
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
חָשְׁב֥וּ
and invent
H2803
חָשְׁב֥וּ
and invent
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
Cross References
Isaiah 5:12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.Amos 5:23Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.Amos 8:3And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence.
Historical Context
David invented musical instruments for temple worship (2 Chronicles 7:6). Israel's elite perverted this legacy, using music for self-indulgent entertainment rather than God-honoring worship. They maintained religious forms while hearts pursued pleasure—form without power (2 Timothy 3:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How might modern worship music focus more on entertainment and emotional experience than genuine encounter with God?
- What does it mean to remain absorbed in entertainment and leisure while the church or world faces crisis?
- How can Christians discern between enjoying God's gifts (music, food, comfort) and self-indulgent excess that blinds us to others' needs?
Analysis & Commentary
That chant to the sound of the viol (הַפֹּרְטִים עַל־פִּי הַנָּבֶל, haforetim al-pi hanavel)—פָּרַט (parat) means to improvise or play frivolously. And invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David (חָשְׁבוּ לָהֶם כְּלֵי־שִׁיר כְּדָוִיד, chashvu lahem klei-shir k'David)—they compare their frivolous entertainment to David's sacred psalmody. This isn't condemning music but mocking their pretension: they think their drunken songs equal David's Spirit-inspired worship.
The sin is twofold: trivializing worship by equating entertainment with praise, and remaining absorbed in pleasure while the nation faces judgment. Like those on the Titanic playing music as the ship sank, they feast and sing while catastrophe approaches. Revelation 18:22 pronounces similar judgment on Babylon—music ceases when God judges.