Amos 2:12
New International Version
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

New Living Translation
“But you caused the Nazirites to sin by making them drink wine, and you commanded the prophets, ‘Shut up!’

English Standard Version
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’

Berean Standard Bible
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

King James Bible
But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

New King James Version
“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, And commanded the prophets saying, ‘Do not prophesy!’

New American Standard Bible
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine, And you commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’

NASB 1995
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine, And you commanded the prophets saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’

NASB 1977
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine, And you commanded the prophets saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’

Legacy Standard Bible
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine, And you commanded the prophets saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’

Amplified Bible
“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink [despite their vows] And commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’

Christian Standard Bible
But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets, “Do not prophesy.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets,” Do not prophesy.”

American Standard Version
But ye gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

Contemporary English Version
But you commanded the prophets not to speak their message, and you pressured the Nazirites into drinking wine.

English Revised Version
But ye gave the Nazirites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You made the Nazirites drink wine. You commanded the prophets to stop prophesying.

Good News Translation
But you made the nazirites drink wine, and ordered the prophets not to speak my message.

International Standard Version
"But you forced the Nazirites to drink wine, and commanded the prophets, 'You are not to prophesy!'

Majority Standard Bible
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

NET Bible
"But you made the Nazirites drink wine; you commanded the prophets, 'Do not prophesy!'

New Heart English Bible
"But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, 'Do not prophesy.'

Webster's Bible Translation
But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

World English Bible
“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And you cause the Nazarites to drink wine, "" And on the prophets you have laid a charge, "" Saying, Do not prophesy!

Young's Literal Translation
And ye cause the Nazarites to drink wine, And on the prophets ye have laid a charge, Saying, 'Do not prophecy!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye will give the Nazarites wine to drink; and ye commanded to the prophets, saying, Ye shall not prophesy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you will present wine to the Nazarites: and command the prophets, saying: Prophesy not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet you would offer wine to the Nazirites, and you would command the prophets, saying: “Do not prophesy.”

New American Bible
But you made the nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, “Do not prophesy!”

New Revised Standard Version
But you made the nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, “You shall not prophesy.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets that they should not prophesy.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you gave wine to drink to the Nazarites, and the Prophets you commanded not to prophesy
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But ye gave the Nazirites wine to drink; And commanded the prophets, saying: 'Prophesy not.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But ye gave the consecrated ones wine to drink; and ye commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel
11I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. 12“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. 13Behold, I am about to crush you in your place as with a cart full of grain.…

Cross References
Isaiah 5:11-12
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.

Jeremiah 35:5-6
Then I set pitchers full of wine and some cups before the men of the house of the Rechabites, and I said to them, “Drink some wine.” / “We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine.

Hosea 4:11
to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.

Micah 2:11
If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!

Isaiah 28:7
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

Matthew 23:29-31
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ / So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.

Luke 11:47-48
Woe to you! For you build tombs for the prophets, but it was your fathers who killed them. / So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.

1 Thessalonians 2:15-16
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Nehemiah 9:26
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.

Ezekiel 13:22
Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies, even though I have caused them no grief, and because you have encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives,

Isaiah 30:10-11
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”

Jeremiah 11:21
Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, “You must not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand.”

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.


Treasury of Scripture

But you gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

ye gave.

Exodus 32:21-23
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? …

wine.

Numbers 6:3
He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

and commanded.

Amos 7:12,13
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: …

Isaiah 30:10,11
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: …

Jeremiah 11:21
Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

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Cause Charge Commanded Drink Longer Nazarites Nazirites Prophecy Prophesy Prophets Separate Wine
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Amos 2
1. God's judgments upon Moab,
4. upon Judah,
6. and upon Israel.
9. God complains of their ingratitude.














But
The term "But" introduces a contrast or exception to what has been previously stated. In the context of Amos, God is addressing the Israelites' transgressions. This conjunction highlights the gravity of their actions, setting the stage for a specific indictment against them. It serves as a pivot from general accusations to a particular grievance, emphasizing the seriousness of their sin.

you made
indicates a deliberate action taken by the Israelites. This phrase suggests coercion or influence, implying that the Israelites actively led the Nazirites astray. The Hebrew root here conveys a sense of causation, underscoring the responsibility and culpability of the people in leading others into sin.

the Nazirites
refers to individuals who took a vow of consecration to God, as outlined in Numbers 6:1-21. The Nazirite vow included abstaining from wine, not cutting one's hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. Nazirites were symbols of holiness and dedication, set apart for God's service. By targeting the Nazirites, the Israelites were not only corrupting individuals but also desecrating a sacred institution.

drink wine
directly violates the Nazirite vow. Wine, in this context, represents indulgence and a departure from spiritual discipline. The act of making Nazirites drink wine is symbolic of leading them away from their commitment to God. Historically, wine was a common part of social and religious life in ancient Israel, but for Nazirites, it was a forbidden substance. This phrase highlights the Israelites' disregard for God's commandments and their willingness to undermine spiritual integrity.

and commanded
implies an authoritative directive, reflecting the Israelites' audacity in attempting to control divine communication. The Hebrew root suggests a forceful imposition of will, highlighting the people's arrogance in trying to dictate the terms of their relationship with God.

the prophets
were God's messengers, called to deliver His word to the people. Prophets played a crucial role in guiding, warning, and correcting the nation. By targeting the prophets, the Israelites were rejecting divine guidance and choosing to follow their own path. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible of humanity's resistance to God's authority.

not to prophesy
is a direct attempt to silence God's voice. Prophecy was a means through which God communicated His will, warnings, and promises. By commanding the prophets not to prophesy, the Israelites were effectively rejecting God's word and choosing to live according to their own desires. This act of rebellion is a profound rejection of divine authority and a refusal to heed God's call to repentance.

Verse 12. - Ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink. Far from profiting by their example, or acknowledging the grace of God displayed in their holy lives, ye tried to get rid of their testimony by seducing or forcing them to break their vow. Prophesy not. Israel was impatient of the continued efforts of the prophets to warn and to win; and, unmindful of the fact that the man of God had a message which he was bound to deliver (comp. Jeremiah 20:9; 1 Corinthians 9:16), this ungrateful nation systematically tried to silence the voices which were a standing rebuke to them. Thus Amos himself was treated (Amos 7:10, etc.). (For proof of this opposition, see 1 Kings 13:4; 1 Kings 18:10, etc.; 1 Kings 19:2; 22:26, 27; 2 Kings 6:31; 2 Chronicles 25:15, 16; and comp. Isaiah 30:10, etc.; Micah 2:6; Matthew 23:37.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“But you made the Nazirites
הַנְּזִרִ֖ים (han·nə·zi·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5139: Nazirite -- one consecrated, devoted

drink
וַתַּשְׁק֥וּ (wat·taš·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

wine
יָ֑יִן (yā·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

and commanded
צִוִּיתֶ֣ם (ṣiw·wî·ṯem)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

the prophets
הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (han·nə·ḇî·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

not
לֹ֖א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to prophesy.
תִּנָּבְאֽוּ׃ (tin·nā·ḇə·’ū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration


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OT Prophets: Amos 2:12 But you gave the Nazirites wine (Amo. Am)
Amos 2:11
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