Amos 6:10

The Pride of Israel · Amos 6:8–14
Read Amos 6

Translations

Modern
And when the relative who is to burn the bodies picks them up to remove them from the house, he will call to one inside, “Is anyone else with you?” “None,” that person will answer. “Silence,” the relative will retort, “for the name of the LORD must not be invoked.”
Traditional
And a man’s uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the Lord.
Literal
And his loved one lifts him up, even his burner, to bring out the bones from the house; and he will say to the one inside the house, “Are there any with you?” And he will say, “None.” And he will say, “Hush, for must not make mention of the name of YHWH.”
Latin
Et tollet eum propinquus suus, et comburet eum, ut efferat ossa de domo; et dicet ei, qui in penetralibus domus est: Numquid adhuc est penes te? Et respondebit: Finis est. Et dicet ei: Tace, et non recorderis nominis Domini.

Original

Hebrew
English
And when the relative who is to burn the bodies picks them up to remove them from the house, he will call to one inside, “Is anyone else with you?” “None,” that person will answer. “Silence,” the relative will retort, “for the name of the LORD must not be invoked.”

Notes

to burn the bodies: Burning the dead (cremation) was rare in the ancient Near East (see study note on Amos 2:1). Because of this, some interpret this phrase to mean "burn a memorial fire" (see Jeremiah 34:5). Others believe it means "dispose of the remains" without cremation. However, the context (the need to dispose of many bodies to prevent decay and disease; Amos 6:9; see 8:3) supports the idea of cremation.

These verses vividly describe the widespread killing due to military conquest as promised in Amos 6:8.

The pronouncements of sorrow in this section develop two main themes:

  1. Israel’s apostasy (turning away from God) would make the day of the Lord a day of judgment, not salvation; and

  2. Judah’s spiritual complacency (feeling satisfied and unconcerned about faithfulness to God) would also bring judgment.

Events

Glossary

Book of Amos God, Names of

Topics

Cremation: General Scriptures Concerning The Plague or Pestilence: Desolating Effects of War: Evils of