Amos 1:11

Footnotes

1. 51 Traditionally, “transgressions” (, , , ) or “sins” (). For an explanation of the atrocities outlined in this oracle as treaty violations of God’s mandate to Noah in Gen 9:5–7, see the note on the word “violations” in .
2. 52 Heb “Because of three violations of Edom, even because of four.” On the three … four style that introduces each of the judgment oracles of chaps. 1–2 see the note on the word “four” in .
3. 53 Heb “I will not bring it [or “him”] back.” The translation understands the pronominal object to refer to the decree of judgment that follows; the referent (the decree) has been specified in the translation for clarity. For another option see the note on the word “judgment” in .
4. 54 It is likely that “brother” refers here to a treaty partner (see the note on the word “brotherhood” in ). However, it is possible, if Israel is in view, that Edom’s ancient blood relationship to God’s people is alluded to here. Cf. , “their relatives, the Israelites.”
5. 55 Or “He stifled his compassion.” The Hebrew term רָחֲמָיו (rakhamayv) is better understood here (parallel to “brother/treaty partner”) as a reference to “allies” which Edom betrayed. An Aramaic cognate is attested (see 2:1069–70). See M. Fishbane, “The Treaty Background of Amos 1:11 and Related Matters,” 89 (1970): 313–18; idem, “Critical Note: Additional Remarks on rḥmyw (Amos 1:11),” 91 (1972): 391–93; and M. Barré, “Amos 1:11 reconsidered,” 47 (1985) 420–27. Some argue that the clause is best translated as “and destroyed his womenfolk.” רַחַם (rakham) means “womb”; the plural here would be a metonymy for “women” and could establish a parallel with the atrocity of 1:13. See S. M. Paul, Amos (Hermeneia), .
6. 56 Heb “his anger tore continually.” The Hebrew verb טָרַף (taraf, “tear apart”) is often used of an animal tearing apart its prey. The word picture here is that of a vicious predator’s feeding frenzy.
7. 57 Traditionally, “he kept his fury continually.” The Hebrew term שְׁמָרָה (shémarah) could be taken as a Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular with 3rd person feminine singular suffix (with mappiq omitted), “he kept it” (, , ). It is also possible in light of the parallelism that שָׁמַר (shamar) is a rare homonym cognate to an Akkadian verb meaning “to rage; to be furious.” Repointing the verb as שָׁמְרָה (shamérah, third person feminine singular), one could translate literally, “his fury raged continually” (, ).