Bible Strands
Amos 6:1
Woe to those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria, the distinguished ones of the foremost nation, to whom the house of Israel comes.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Amos pronounces judgment against the elite leaders of Israel and Judah who live in complacent security in Jerusalem and Samaria. This declaration occurs during a period of national prosperity when the ruling class believes itself untouchable.
The words — The Hebrew הַשְּׁאַנָּנִים (haššəʾannānîm) literally means "the at ease," describing a state of untroubled comfort. The phrase נְקֻבֵי רֵאשִׁית (neqūḇê reʾšît) translates to "distinguished ones of the foremost nation," identifying the targeted social class.
The thread — This warning against complacency echoes in Isaiah 32:9, which addresses complacent women, and James 5:5, which condemns living in luxury and self-indulgence. The theme of trusting in material security rather than God also appears in Luke 12:17.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers examine their own reliance on comfort and status instead of divine authority. It requires a sober recognition that prosperity does not grant immunity from judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
Cross-references
- Isaiah 32:9 Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters.
- James 5:5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
- Luke 12:17 So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’
- Amos 4:1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
- Zephaniah 1:12 And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’
- Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
- Judges 18:7 So the five men departed and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living securely, like the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler. And they were far away from the Sidonians and had no alliance with anyone.
- Jeremiah 49:31 Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, one that dwells securely,” declares the LORD. “They have no gates or bars; they live alone.
- James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
- Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”