Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi
List of Abbreviations xiii
A Note on the Translation and Transliteration xix
Introduction 1
I Aim and Profile of This Commentary 3
II From the Prophet Amos to the Book of Amos 5
The Quest for the Historical Amos 5
Attempts of Date the Activities of Amos with Precision 6
Amos as a Cultic Professional or as an Anti-Cultic Prophet 6
Calling Off the Quest: Outline of an Alternative Approach 7
III The Book of Amos as a Literary Composition 8
Genres within the Book 8
Structural Symmetry 10
Thematic Threads 11
Reading the Book of Amos as a Drama 13
IV History of Composition and Redaction 15
Theological Diversity and Questions Regarding Authorship 15
Historical Contexts for the Book's Messages 16
On the Advantages and Limitations of Redaction Criticism 20
Before the Book: The Very First Stage 23
Three Versions of the Book: A Tentative Reconstruction 24
Amos and the Book of the Twelve 26
V Ancient and Modern Interpretations of the Book of Amos 27
Early Amos Reception 27
Amos at Qumran 27
Amos in the New Testament 28
Amos in Premodern Jewish and Christian Exegesis 29
Amos in the Modern Era: A Spokesman for the Poor 30
Interpretive Guidelines for This Commentary 31
VI Text and Translation 32
The Masoretic Text 32
Fragmentary Manuscripts from the Judean Desert 32
The Septuagint and the Other Ancient Versions 33
Bibliography 35
Translation 77
Notes and Comments 89
Oracles against the Nations (1-2) 91
Introducing Amos: Superscription and Motto (1:1-2) 91
Introduction to 1:1-2 91
Notes 92
Comments 93
Oracles against Neighboring Nations (1:3-2:3) 98
Introduction to the Cycle of Oracles against the Nations 99
The Function and Meaning of the Introductory Refrain 101
Notes 103
Comments 104
The Oracle against Judah (2:4-5) 110
Introduction to the Judah Oracle 111
Comments 111
The Oracle against Israel (2:6-16) 112
Introduction to the Israel Oracle 112
Notes 113
Comments 114
The Words of Amos (3-6) 121
A Call to Listen (3:1-2) 122
Introduction to 3:1-2 122
Notes 122
Comments 123
Lions and Traps: A Discourse on Prophecy and Disaster (3:3-8) 123
Introduction to 3:3-8 124
Notes 125
Comments 125
Oracles against Samaria and Bethel (3:9-15) 129
Introduction to 3:9-15 129
Notes 130
Comments 131
Concerning the Wealthy Women in Samaria (4:1-3) 135
Introduction to 4:1-3 136
Notes 136
Comments 138
A Sarcastic Call to Transgress through Worship (4:4-5) 140
Introduction to 4:4-5 140
Notes 140
Comments 141
Disasters with Didactic Dimensions (4:6-12) 143
Introduction to 4:6-12 143
Notes 145
Commebts 145
Interlude: The First Doxology (4:13) 148
Introduction to 4:13 and the Doxologies in the Book of Amos 148
Notes 149
Comments 150
A Concentric Centerpiece (4:1-17) 151
Introduction to 5:1-17 152
Notes 153
Comments 154
Beware of the Day of YHWH (5:18-20) 162
Introduction to 5:18-20 163
Notes 163
Comments 164
Rejected Sacrific (5:21-24) 166
Introduction to 5:21-24 166
Notes 167
Comments 170
The Party Is Over (6:1-7) 172
Introduction to 6:1-7 with a Discussion of marzeah Banquets 173
Notes 175
Comments 175
Death, Destruction, and Deception (6:8-14) 182
Introduction to 6:8-14 182
Notes 183
Comments 183
Visions (7-9) 190
The First Pair of Visions: Canceled Calamities (7:1-6) 191
Introduction to 7:1-6 and to the Series of Four Vision Reports 191
Notes 193
Comments 194
The Third Vision: A Riddle Made of Metal (7:7-8) 197
Introduction to the Second Pair of Visions (7:7-8 and 8:1-2) 197
Notes 198
Comments 198
A Bridge between Two Passages (7:9) 201
Comments 201
A Narrative Interlude: Amos versus Amaziah (7:10-17) 202
Introduction to 7:10-17 202
Notes 206
Comments 206
The Fourth Vision: A Basketful of Bad News (8:1-3) 213
Notes 213
Comments 214
Reinterpretations of the Words of Amos (8:4-14) 215
Introduction to 8:4-14 216
Notes 217
Comments 217
A Vision of Inescapable Destruction (9:1-4) 223
Introduction to 9:1-4, the So-Called Fifth Vision 224
Notes 226
Comments 226
The Last Doxology (9:5-6) 230
Introduction to 9:5-6 231
Notes 231
Comments 232
The Turning Point (9:7-10) 233
Introductin to 9:7-10 233
Notes 233
Comments 234
A Hopeful Epilogue (9:11-15) 238
Introduction to 9:11-15 238
Notes 239
Comments 240
Notes 245
Index of Subjects 269
Index of Authors 274
Index of Ancient Sources 280
