Amos 6:6

Woe to Those at Ease in Zion · Amos 6:1–7
Read Amos 6

Translations

Modern
You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
Traditional
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
Literal
…those drinking from bowls of wine, and with the finest ointments they anoint themselves—and they are not grieved over the breach of Joseph!
Latin
…bibentes vinum in phialis, et optimo unguento delibuti, et nihil patiebantur super contritione Joseph.

Original

Hebrew
English
You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

Notes

  • wine by the bowlful: The word translated as bowl (Hebrew mizraq) is related to a verb meaning "sprinkle" or "splash" (Hebrew zaraq; see Exodus 24:6). The same word describes the basins used for sprinkling blood or water in religious ceremonies (see 2 Kings 12:13; 25:15), adding a sense of sacrilege to this description of their drunkenness.

  • over the ruin of Joseph: The Hebrew text reads of Joseph, referring to the northern kingdom of Israel; see study note on Amos 5:6.

These verses describe people celebrating with excessive drinking and loud behavior.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

James, Brother of Jesus

Events

Parallels

Luke 6:24–26

People

Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt

Glossary

Banquet Book of Amos Perfume Prophecy Samaria

Topics

Amusements and Worldly Pleasures: Disregard of the Judgments and Works of God Anointing of the Body Anointing was Used for The Jews Were Very Fond of Anointing: Ointment For: Most Expensive Beds used for Reclining on at Meals Confidence: False Drunkenness: General Scriptures Concerning Drunkenness: Punishment of Gluttony: General Scriptures Concerning Ointment: Not Sacred The Rich: General Scriptures Concerning Wine: The Jews Frequently Drank, to Excess Wine: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning Worldly Amusements and Pleasures: Lead to Disregard of the Judgments and Works of God