Amos 3:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In either interpretation, the words of Scripture remain undeniably true, which we can demonstrate by elucidating the relevant context. This context is similar to the narrative found in the fourth book of Kings and the second book of Chronicles. I will summarize this brief account so as not to overwhelm those already familiar with it.

Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, reigned in Jerusalem, possessing a disposition quite distinct from his father and markedly lacking in piety. He was deeply morally corrupt, indulging in all manner of shameful acts, worshipping false deities, and steeped in demonic delusions. He constructed altars to Baal, adored all the heavenly hosts, and even sacrificed his children through fire. He surrounded himself with deceitful charlatans masquerading as knowledgeable individuals, who spoke nonsense despite their pretensions. There seemed to be no depth of wickedness that he did not embrace. During his reign, God spoke through the prophet regarding Jerusalem and the entirety of Judah, declaring: "I will bring upon this people evil things; every one that hears shall tingle his ears" (4 Kings 21:12).

After the death of Manasseh, his son Amon ascended to the throne, sharing his father’s moral depravity and reigning for only two years. Following him, his son Josiah, a wise and reverent king, was anointed to lead. His coming had been foretold by a man of God who had visited Bethel during a feast led by Jeroboam. The prophecy stated: "Behold, a son is born to the house of David, Josiah is his name; and he shall consume the priest of the high places, and burn the bones of men upon thee" (3 Kings 13:2). When Josiah ruled, he eradicated idol worship, dismantled altars, destroyed sacred groves, burned the chariot of the sun, and executed the priests of the high places in Bethel. He honored the laws of Moses throughout Israel. He sought counsel from the prophetess Oldama to determine if the Lord of Hosts would relent in His wrath and whether Israel would experience peace, and if the prophets’ warnings would come to pass. Her response was: "Thus says the Lord God of Israel, 'Tell the man who sent you to me: Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read; because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, provoking me with the works of their hands; therefore my anger will be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched. And to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, say to him: Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Regarding the words which you have heard, since your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse; and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I have also heard you, says the Lord. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place" (4 Sam. 22:15-20).

This promise was fulfilled, as the Lord withheld His wrath until Josiah's reign came to an end—thirty-one years total. Toward the end of his reign, Pharaoh Necho of Egypt waged war against Babylon, marching against them with his entire army. Fearing for the land of Judah, Josiah prepared for battle, confronting Pharaoh and urging him to return, explaining he was hastening to the Euphrates and intending to attack the Assyrians. However, in a reckless battle, Josiah was killed and returned to Jerusalem deceased. His son Joahaz was then anointed king. After only three months, Pharaoh Necho deposed him, binding him in Egypt while yielding the kingship to Eliakim, also known as Jehoiakim, son of Josiah. Jehoiakim harshly oppressed Israel, levying taxes on the entire nation.

While Jehoiakim ruled, Nebuchadnezzar came and seized Jerusalem, making Eliakim his vassal and taxing him while thoroughly ravaging the city. Yet God did not limit the calamities upon these wicked men to this alone; He compounded their suffering with bands of robbers from surrounding regions—Syria, Tyre, Azotus, Idumea, and Moab—plundering various parts of Judah. As noted in the Chronicles, "Then the land began to be brought under tribute to give silver according to the word of Pharaoh; and every man according to his strength extracted silver and gold from the people of the land to give to Pharaoh Necho. Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned ten years in Jerusalem, doing evil before the Lord according to all his fathers had done. In his days, Nebuchadnezzar came up against the land, and he served him three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him, and sent against them the Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites" (2 Chronicles 36:4-5).

Israel faced these trials because they arrogantly profaned the glory of God and debased themselves by turning to the idols of their own making. Having recounted this narrative in sufficient detail, let us distill the essence of the words: "Lead the nations into the Assyrians, and into the lands of Egypt, and proclaim, Gather ye together unto the mountain of Samaria, and witness the many wonders within, and the violence therein." As it is said, let someone urgently call out to the Egyptians and Assyrians, urging them to approach the mountainous regions of Samaria, which territory is known for its hills. Upon their arrival, they will behold a remarkable multitude and unexpected violence; for the former victors shall find themselves in a wretched state, enslaved and defeated, experiencing unbearable oppression. Ever prouder, they once lifted their heads high against all nations but will now be rendered low, reduced to considering mere survival and tribute payment as a rare mercy. Yet Samaria shall be blind to its own fate. Where then are those who hoard injustice and strife in their communities? What benefit has come from their greed and the proliferation of their sins, as they neglected to discern God’s will? Will the misfortunes of sinful individuals cease merely with the invasion from Assyrians and Egyptians? No, He affirms. "For this reason, says the Lord God, Tyre, your land shall be devastated, and your strongholds will be taken from you, and your territories shall be pillaged." The phrase "Tyre and the neighborhood" signifies that the desolation will extend from Tyre and its surroundings when raiding bands assail. Your stronghold will be removed, and all your might will be shattered as if exhausted. Thus, whether the Hebrew states "Lead the nations into Azoteh" or the Seventy mentions "into the Assyrians," both interpretations convey truth; for not only the Assyrians but also the Tyrians and Azotians besieged the Israelites, continually executing raids and devastations.

My Jewish instructor on the Scriptures interpreted it as ‘attack,’ and we do not dismiss his view; indeed, even Simmachus, adhering to a standard method of interpretation, denotes it as ‘siege and oppression of the land.’ In place of ‘siege,’ which he termed πολιορκία, Theodotion utilized ‘force’ (fortitudo), suggesting a reading not of ‘sar’ or ‘sor’ meaning ‘enemy’ or ‘Tyre’ but rather ‘sur,’ which signifies ‘strong stone’ (ἀκρότομος in Greek), also known as ‘silicem’ (flint) in Latin. Let us examine each statement in detail. The LXX states, ‘Tyre and the neighboring land is yours.’ To clarify the meaning, they added: ‘shall be desolate.’ The translators are not to be blamed for errors, as the term is inherently ambiguous and could signify both ‘attack’ and ‘Tyre.’ The implication is clear: My people have indulged in many misdeeds upon the heights of Samaria, conspiring without understanding justice, amassing transgressions and theft among them. Thus, they will be besieged, their land will be surrounded by the Assyrian forces, and ‘your strength shall be crushed,’ declares He, ‘you shall inherit,’ Samaria, the ten tribes once considered My own, and what you have accumulated through deception and the tears of the downtrodden will be taken from your homes. Furthermore, the heretics will face judgment, their power diminished, and all they have gained through oppression will be stripped away, allowing the nations they have misled to be set free. Perhaps they will be continually besieged by members of the Church, encircled by the truths of Scripture, and the strength of their arguments and deceit—upon which they have built their doctrine—will be dismantled. Their estates will be plundered, enabling those who have strayed from the Church to return once more to her fold.