Amos 6:1
in Amos 6Woe 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.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and to them that are secure in the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come!
KJV
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!
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This verse in Amos 6
Commentary
9 notes on this verse(Chapter 6, Verse 1) Woe to those who are rich in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the nations, who enter pompously into the house of Israel. The Septuagint version says: Woe to those who despise Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, they have gathered the first fruits of the nations for themselves.
This site's exposition
at ease in Zion
on Amos 6:1-3
The woe names both capitals at once, "those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria," two kingdoms sharing one complacency. They "dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence," putting judgment off in the mind while inviting violence in practice.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
Jesus' miracle was performed in the district of Samaria, to which country also belonged one of the lepers. Samaria, however, had revolted from Israel, carrying with it the disaffected nine tribes, which having been alienated by the prophet Ahijah, Jeroboam settled in Samaria. Besides, the Samaritans were always pleased with the mountains and the wells of their ancestors. Thus, in the Gospel of John, the woman of Samaria, when conversing with the Lord at the well, says, "No doubt yours are greater," and again, "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Accordingly, he who said "woe unto them that trust in the mountain of Samaria," promising now to restore that very region, purposely requests the men "to go and show themselves to the priests," because these were to be found only there where the temple was, submitting the Samaritan to the Jew, inasmuch as "salvation was of the Jews," whether to the Israelite or the Samaritan.
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
At ease - That neither fear nor believe the threatened judgments of God. In Zion - That is put for the kingdom of the two tribes, and principally the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Samaria - Woe to them also who rely upon the strength, wealth, and policy of the kingdom of Samaria or Israel.
The house of Israel came to them, that is, was divided into those kingdoms, of which Zion and Samaria were the mother cities. Those that were at ease were the princes and rulers, the great men, that were chief of the nations, chief of those two kingdoms, and to whom, having their residence in Zion and Samaria, the whole house of Israel applied for judgment.
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Woe to them that are at ease - The word always means such as are recklessly at their ease, “the careless ones,” such as those whom Isaiah bids Isa 32:9-11, “rise up, tremble, be troubled, for many days and years shall ye be troubled.” It is that luxury and ease, which sensualize the soul, and make it dull, stupid, hard-hearted. By one earnest, passing word, the prophet warns his own land, that present sinful ease ends in future woe. “Woe unto them that laugh now: for they shall mourn and weep” Luk 6:
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
named chief of the nations--that is, you nobles, so eminent in influence, that your names are celebrated among the chief nations [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU]. Hebrew, "Men designated by name among the first-fruits of the nations," that is, men of note in Israel, the people chosen by God as first of the nations (Ex 19:5; compare Nu 24:20) [PISCATOR]. to whom . . .
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
Wo to them that are at ease in Zion - For השאננים hashshaanannim, “who dwell at ease,” it has been proposed to read השעננים hashshaanannim, “who confidently lean,” the two words differing only in one letter, an ע ain for an א aleph. They leaned confidently on Zion; supposing that, notwithstanding their iniquities they should be saved for Zion’s sake. Thus the former clause will agree better with the latter, “leaning upon Zion,” and “trusting in the mountain of Samaria.” Those that are at ease may mean those who have no concern about the threatened judgments, and who have no deep concern for the salvation of their own souls. Houbigant would read, “Go to them who despise Zion, and trust in Samaria.” So the Septuagint, reading שנאים soneim, hating, instead of שאננים shaanannim, being at rest, tranquil Calmet first proposed this conjecture; Houbigant follows him. Are named chief - Newcome renders, “That are named after the chief of the nations;” and observes, that the Hebrew word נקבי nekubey is an allusion to marking a name or character by punctures. See on Isa 44:5 (note). They call themselves not after their ancestors, but after the chief of the idolatrous nations with whom they intermarry contrary to the law. Perhaps the words here rather refer to the mountains and their temples, than to the people. The mountain of Zion, and the mountain of Samaria, were considered the chief or most celebrated among the nations, as the two kingdoms to which they belonged were the most distinguished on the earth.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
those called the first of the nations —You were called the most praiseworthy of the nations.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 2 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
13 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ה֚וֹי | ho | woe to! | H1945 → | |
| הַשַּׁאֲנַנִּ֣ים | hashaananim | the [people] at ease | H7600 → | |
| בְּצִיּ֔וֹן | betziyon | in Zion | H6726 → | |
| וְהַבֹּטְחִ֖ים | vehabotechim | and those [who] trust | H982 → | |
| בְּהַ֣ר | behar | in [the] mountain of | H2022 → | 546 times |
| שֹׁמְר֑וֹן | shomeron | Samaria | H8111 → | 109 times |
| נְקֻבֵי֙ | nekuvei | [the] distinguished [people] of | H5344 → | |
| רֵאשִׁ֣ית | reshit | [the] first of | H7225 → | |
| הַגּוֹיִ֔ם | hagoyim | the nations | H1471 → | 561 times |
| וּבָ֥אוּ | uvau | and they will come | H935 → | 2568 times |
| לָהֶ֖ם | lahem | to them | ||
| בֵּ֥ית | beit | [the] house of | H1004 → | 2046 times |
| יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ | yisrael | Israel | H3478 → | 2507 times |
ה֚וֹיwoe to!
hoH1945 →
הַשַּׁאֲנַנִּ֣יםthe [people] at ease
hashaananimH7600 →
בְּצִיּ֔וֹןin Zion
betziyonH6726 →
וְהַבֹּטְחִ֖יםand those [who] trust
vehabotechimH982 →
בְּהַ֣רin [the] mountain of
beharH2022 →546 times
שֹׁמְר֑וֹןSamaria
shomeronH8111 →109 times
נְקֻבֵי֙[the] distinguished [people] of
nekuveiH5344 →
רֵאשִׁ֣ית[the] first of
reshitH7225 →
הַגּוֹיִ֔םthe nations
hagoyimH1471 →561 times
וּבָ֥אוּand they will come
uvauH935 →2568 times
לָהֶ֖םto them
lahem
בֵּ֥ית[the] house of
beitH1004 →2046 times
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Israel
yisraelH3478 →2507 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
James 5:5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 5:6
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
- Luke 16:25
But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.
- Luke 16:19
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
- 1 Timothy 5:6
Through
Zephaniah 1:12And 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.’
it leads to
- Jeremiah 48:11
Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and…
- Ezekiel 8:12
“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are…
- Ezekiel 9:9
He replied, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of perversity. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken…
- Jeremiah 48:11
Through
Amos 4:1Hear 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.”
it leads to
- Psalms 22:12
Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
- Ezekiel 39:18
You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan.
- Psalms 22:12
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Amos
Who and where
2 names in this verse with a page on the site.
- PlaceThe northern hill countrySamariaThe hill Omri bought and built his capital on, where Ahab raised a temple to Baal, where the four lepers found the Aramean camp em…
- PlaceJerusalemZionThe eastern ridge David took from the Jebusites and made his stronghold, the name the Psalms and the prophets give the city the LO…
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Carl Friedrich Keil, The Twelve Minor Prophets; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Amos; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Tertullian, AGAINST MARCION 4.35.