What does Amos 8:5 mean?
"Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?" - Amos 8:5
Amos 8:5 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?"
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Amos, which is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, a small town in Judah, who was called by God to deliver a message of judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel. The book of Amos is primarily concerned with social justice and the consequences of moral corruption and oppression.
In Amos 8:5, the prophet is condemning the people of Israel for their greed and exploitation of the poor. The verse depicts a scene where the merchants are impatiently waiting for the new moon and the Sabbath to be over so that they can resume their business of selling grain and wheat. The new moon and the Sabbath were sacred times in the Israelite calendar, set aside for rest, worship, and reflection. However, the merchants are more concerned with making a profit than honoring these sacred days. They are eager to "make the ephah small, and the shekel great," which means they are cheating their customers by giving them less product for a higher price. They are also "falsifying the balances by deceit," which refers to the use of dishonest weights and measures in trade.
This verse reveals the moral decay and social injustice that had taken hold of Israel at the time of Amos. The merchants' disregard for the sacredness of the new moon and the Sabbath reflects a broader attitude of selfishness and greed that permeated society. The people were more concerned with their own material gain than with upholding ethical and moral principles.
The themes present in this verse are relevant and timeless. The pursuit of wealth and material gain at the expense of others is a recurring problem throughout history, and it is one of the primary reasons for social inequality and injustice. Amos 8:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and ethical conduct in business and daily life. It challenges us to consider the ways in which we may prioritize profit over righteousness and to reflect on the impact of our actions on others.
The context of this verse is also significant. During the time of Amos, Israel was enjoying a period of economic prosperity, but this prosperity had come at the cost of widespread social injustice and moral decay. The wealthy elite were exploiting the poor and vulnerable for their own gain, and the religious leaders were complicit in this oppression. Amos, as a prophet called by God, was charged with confronting the people with their sins and calling them to repentance. His words were a warning of the impending judgment of God if they did not change their ways.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful and evocative. The new moon and the Sabbath symbolize the sacred and the divine, representing a time of rest, reflection, and spiritual renewal. The merchants' impatience to be done with these holy days reflects a broader disregard for spiritual values and a preoccupation with worldly pursuits. The image of "making the ephah small, and the shekel great" and "falsifying the balances by deceit" symbolizes the perversion of justice and the manipulation of truth for personal gain.
In conclusion, Amos 8:5 is a poignant and powerful verse that addresses issues of social justice, ethical conduct, and spiritual values. It serves as a timeless admonition against the dangers of greed and exploitation and the importance of upholding moral integrity in all aspects of life. The verse also underscores the enduring relevance of the prophetic message of Amos, challenging us to examine our own attitudes and actions in light of its timeless truths.
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Amos 8:5 Artwork
Amos 8:5 - "Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?"
"Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?" - Amos 8:5
"Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:" - Amos 5:8
Amos 5:8 - "Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:"
Amos 5:21-27
Amos 8:13 - "In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst."
Amos 5:24 - "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."
Amos 5:13 - "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time."
Amos 5:10 - "They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly."
Amos 7:8 - "And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:"
Amos 5:20 - "Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?"
Amos 6:5 - "That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;"
Amos 8:2 - "And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more."
Amos 5:7 - "Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,"
Amos 2:5 - "But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem."
Amos 5:17 - "And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD."
Amos 5:9 - "That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress."
Amos 8:1 - "Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit."
Amos 8:8 - "Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt."
Amos 8:7 - "The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works."
Amos 8:4 - "¶ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,"
Amos 5:5 - "But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought."
Amos 3:8 - "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"
Amos 8:6 - "That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?"
Amos 5:4 - "¶ For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:"
Amos 5:21 - "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."
Amos 2:8 - "And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god."
Amos 5:25 - "Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?"
Amos 5:23 - "Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols."
Amos 5:18 - "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light."