Amos 6

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to…” Naming Israel and Samaria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;” The line’s distinctive content terms include cause, evil, near. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include beds, calves, couches. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction…” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his…” Naming Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.