Amos 5:16
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Amos 5:16
16 Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.
Chapter Context
Amos 5 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of judgment, holiness, prayer. Written during the prosperous period of Jeroboam II (c. 760-750 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Economic prosperity masked serious social injustice and religious hypocrisy.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Amos and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Amos 5:16
16 Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.
Analysis
Wailing shall be in all streets... and they shall call the husbandman to mourning—This verse depicts comprehensive national lamentation when judgment arrives. God speaks as the LORD, the God of hosts (Adonai YHWH Elohei-Tzeva'ot, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה אֱלֹהֵי־צְבָאוֹת), emphasizing His sovereignty over heavenly armies—the one announcing judgment has power to execute it. The phrase misped (מִסְפֵּד, "wailing/mourning") appears twice, along with nehi (נְהִי, "lamentation") and the cry ho-ho (הוֹ־הוֹ, "Alas! alas!")—Hebrew onomatopoeia for grief.
The imagery is striking: mourning will be so widespread that they shall call the husbandman to mourning—even farmers untrained in formal lamentation rites must be conscripted because professional mourners cannot handle the volume of death. Such as are skilful of lamentation (yod'ei nehi, יֹדְעֵי נְהִי) refers to professional mourners hired for funerals, but their expertise will be overwhelmed. Every street, every highway will echo with grief. This fulfills covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28:65-67—no rest, trembling heart, anguish of soul.
Historical Context
Professional mourning was common in the ancient Near East—families hired skilled lamenters for funerals (Jeremiah 9:17-18; Matthew 9:23). Amos predicts judgment so severe that professionals cannot manage it alone; amateurs must join. This was fulfilled when Assyria conquered Israel (722 BC)—mass slaughter, deportation, and exile produced exactly this overwhelming grief. The phrase "I will pass through thee" (e'evor beqirbeka, אֶעֱבֹר בְּקִרְבֶּךָ, v. 17) echoes the Passover (Exodus 12:12), but instead of passing over Israel, God will pass through in judgment.
Reflection
- How does the certainty of coming judgment affect how we should live and speak today?
- What is the relationship between covenant privilege and covenant accountability in this passage?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 9:10, Joel 1:11