Amos 6 1

Amos 6:1 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!

Amos 6:1 nkjv

Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, And trust in Mount Samaria, Notable persons in the chief nation, To whom the house of Israel comes!

Amos 6:1 niv

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!

Amos 6:1 esv

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes!

Amos 6:1 nlt

What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem,
and you who feel secure in Samaria!
You are famous and popular in Israel,
and people go to you for help.

Amos 6 verses

Amos 6 1 Meaning

Amos 6:1 declares a divine lament and condemnation, denoted by "Woe," upon the privileged and leading citizens of both the southern kingdom of Judah (represented by Zion/Jerusalem) and the northern kingdom of Israel (represented by Mount Samaria). Their grave sin lies in a dangerous complacency and a presumptuous sense of security, stemming from their perceived peace and prosperity. This state of spiritual and moral ease led them to disregard God's commands, perpetuate social injustice, and ignore repeated warnings of impending judgment. It is a powerful denunciation against spiritual lethargy and a false confidence rooted in anything other than genuine faithfulness to God.

Amos 6 1 Context

Amos delivered his prophecy during the 8th century BC, a period characterized by remarkable economic prosperity and national expansion for both the northern kingdom of Israel (under Jeroboam II) and the southern kingdom of Judah (under Uzziah). However, this material abundance coexisted with deep social injustice, moral decadence, and pervasive religious hypocrisy. The affluent elite, the specific target of Amos 6:1, were living in immense luxury, achieved often through the oppression and exploitation of the poor. Despite maintaining superficial religious rituals, their hearts were far from God's covenant, ignoring prophetic warnings and failing to uphold righteousness. The "Woe" oracle is a formal prophetic indictment, functioning as a lament over their inevitable doom and a solemn declaration of divine judgment against their dangerous complacency and arrogance in the face of God's impending righteous wrath. This verse specifically introduces Amos's critique of Israel and Judah's self-indulgence before detailing the coming destruction.

Word Analysis

• "Woe" (Hebrew: Hôy): This powerful interjection is more than an expression of sorrow; it is a prophetic denunciation, a pronouncement of judgment or a solemn lament over an impending disaster. It serves as an indictment, foreshadowing inescapable calamity, often acting as a funeral dirge for those who are spiritually dead or doomed, despite being physically alive. It demands urgent attention and indicates that severe divine reckoning is near.

• "at ease" (Hebrew: sha'anan from the root sha'an): This term signifies a state of complacent, careless security, unconcerned tranquility, or smug indifference. It describes a dangerous mental and spiritual state where individuals presume immunity from danger or divine consequence, often due to their material prosperity, political stability, or fortified status. It reflects a profound spiritual lethargy and disregard for the Lord's commands and prophetic warnings.

• "in Zion": This refers to Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah. Zion was profoundly significant as the site of the Lord's Temple and the city of David. Its inclusion here condemns Judah's spiritual and political elite, highlighting that even those dwelling in the perceived holy city were not exempt from God's judgment if their leadership led to sin and complacency. It underscores the severity that judgment often begins with God's own household.

• "feel secure" (Hebrew: bōṭăḥîm from the root bātaḥ): Similar to "at ease," this word conveys trust or reliance, but in this context, it points to a misplaced confidence. The elite of Samaria felt secure not in God's protection or faithfulness, but in their own strength, their capital's strategic location, wealth, or human alliances. It denotes an arrogant self-assurance that led them to forget their dependence on God and disregard His commands.

• "in Mount Samaria": This refers to Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim). Founded by King Omri, Samaria was a powerful center of wealth and, notoriously, a focal point for the idolatrous worship practices promoted by Israel's kings, even if the primary golden calf shrines were elsewhere. Its inclusion demonstrates that Amos's pronouncement of judgment targets the corrupt leadership and opulent citizens across both Israel and Judah, signifying that no one was immune to the divine accounting for their sin.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion": This phrase targets the spiritual and social complacency prevalent among the privileged classes in Jerusalem. It implies that their comfort and perceived divine favor had led them into a state of spiritual slumber, ignoring the true state of their covenant with God and the cries of the oppressed within their own land. Their "ease" had become a destructive apathy, presumptuously believing their holy city protected them from accountability.
  • "And to those who feel secure in Mount Samaria": This parallels the indictment of Judah, extending the "Woe" to the equally presumptuous and self-assured elite in the northern kingdom. Their sense of "security" was based on worldly attainments, military strength, and possibly their strategic location, leading them to neglect widespread idolatry and social injustice. Together, these two phrases deliver a comprehensive indictment against the pervasive, dangerous self-confidence that gripped the leadership and affluent citizens of both kingdoms, revealing a common spiritual failing regardless of specific religious or political center.

Amos 6 1 Bonus section

This "Woe" oracle marks a shift in Amos's prophetic messages, moving into the final main section (Amos 6-9) which delivers even harsher judgment pronouncements and visions of inevitable destruction. The deliberate parallel denunciation of both Zion and Samaria underscores a key biblical theme: God's covenant demands apply to all His people, regardless of their status or location, shattering any false sense of unique exemption from accountability. Their shared sin was a hubris born of comfort, reflecting a shocking spiritual ignorance or deliberate dismissal of God's holy character and His unwavering commitment to justice. The very state of being "at ease" for those in positions of power and wealth, in a society rife with injustice, became the central accusation against them.

Amos 6 1 Commentary

Amos 6:1 delivers a scathing prophetic judgment against the elite of both Judah and Israel. The "Woe" is not a lament for the people, but an pronouncement of their imminent doom due to their self-indulgence and misplaced security. During a time of material abundance, these leaders and wealthy citizens were "at ease" – not genuinely peaceful, but dangerously complacent, morally callous, and spiritually asleep. Their "security" was not found in their faithful covenant relationship with God, but in their opulent lifestyles, strongholds, and perceived invulnerability, blinding them to their nation's deep-seated injustice and the impending divine reckoning. This verse highlights the profound spiritual danger of prosperity and comfort when they lead to forgetfulness of God, neglect of righteousness, and oppression of the vulnerable. It's a reminder that true peace comes from God alone and genuine security is found in obedience, not in worldly advantages.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • A warning against becoming overly comfortable with one's personal achievements or blessings, to the point of spiritual complacency and neglect of others' needs or God's calling.
  • A call for leaders in any context, particularly within the faith community, to actively resist the temptation to rest on past laurels and remain vigilant against moral decay and injustice within their spheres of influence.