1 The expression cows of Bashan is used by the prophet to address the wealthy women of Samaria, who demand that their husbands satisfy their cravings. The derogatory language perhaps suggests that they, like the livestock of Bashan, were well fed, ironically in preparation for the coming slaughter. This phrase is sometimes cited to critique the book’s view of women.
2 Heb “the ones who” (three times in this verse).
3 Heb “their.”
4 Some commentators relate this scene to the description of the marzeah feast of 6:3–6, in which drinking played a prominent part (see the note at ).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan,

who are on the mountain of Samaria,

who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,

who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria,

you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy

and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan

who are on the hill of Samaria,

women who oppress the poor

and crush the needy,

who say to their husbands,

“Bring us something to drink.”

NLTNew Living Translation

Listen to me, you fat cows

living in Samaria,

you women who oppress the poor

and crush the needy,

and who are always calling to your husbands,

“Bring us another drink!”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who live on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the powerless, who crush the poor, who say to their husbands, “Bring something so that we may drink!”

KJV 1900King James Version

Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria,

Which oppress the poor, which crush the needy,

Which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

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