Amos 1:12-14

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Amos 1:12 sn Teman was an important region (or perhaps city) in Edom.
2. Amos 1:12 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the fire mentioned in the previous line) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3. Amos 1:12 sn Bozrah was a city located in northern Edom.
4. Amos 1:13 tn Traditionally, “transgressions” (KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV) or “sins” (NIV). For an explanation of the atrocities outlined in this oracle as treaty violations of God’s mandate to Noah in Gen 9:5-7, see the note on the word “violations” in 1:3.
5. Amos 1:13 tn Heb “Because of three violations of the Ammonites, even because of four.” On the three…four style that introduces each of the judgment oracles of chaps. 1-2 see the note on the word “four” in 1:3.
6. Amos 1:13 tn Heb “I will not bring it [or “him”] back.” The translation understands the pronominal object to refer to the decree of judgment that follows; the referent (the decree) has been specified in the translation for clarity. For another option see the note on the word “judgment” in 1:3.
7. Amos 1:13 sn The Ammonites ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women in conjunction with a military invasion designed to expand their territory. Such atrocities, although repugnant, were not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern warfare.
8. Amos 1:14 sn Rabbah was the Ammonite capital.
9. Amos 1:14 sn The city wall symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.
10. Amos 1:14 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the fire mentioned in the previous line) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
11. Amos 1:14 tn Heb “with a war cry in the day of battle.”
12. Amos 1:14 tn Heb “with wind in the day of the windstorm.”sn A windstorm is a metaphor for judgment and destruction in the OT (see Isa 29:6; Jer 23:19) and ancient Near Eastern literature.