Amos 6:4
New International Version
You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.

New Living Translation
How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall.

English Standard Version
“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall,

Berean Standard Bible
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

King James Bible
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

New King James Version
Who lie on beds of ivory, Stretch out on your couches, Eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall;

New American Standard Bible
Those who lie on beds of ivory, And lounge around on their couches, And eat lambs from the flock, And calves from the midst of the fattened cattle,

NASB 1995
Those who recline on beds of ivory And sprawl on their couches, And eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall,

NASB 1977
Those who recline on beds of ivory And sprawl on their couches, And eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall,

Legacy Standard Bible
Those who lay down on beds of ivory And sprawl on their couches And eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall,

Amplified Bible
Those who lie on [luxurious] beds of ivory And lounge around out on their couches, And eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall,

Christian Standard Bible
They lie on beds inlaid with ivory, sprawled out on their couches, and dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They lie on beds inlaid with ivory, sprawled out on their couches, and dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

American Standard Version
that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

Contemporary English Version
You rich people lounge around on beds with ivory posts, while dining on the meat of your lambs and calves.

English Revised Version
that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How horrible it will be for those who sleep on ivory beds. They sprawl out on their couches and eat lambs from their flocks and calves from their stalls.

Good News Translation
How terrible it will be for you that stretch out on your luxurious couches, feasting on veal and lamb!

International Standard Version
lying on ivory beds, stretching out on your couches, eating lambs from the flock, and fattened calves from the stall,

Majority Standard Bible
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

NET Bible
They lie around on beds decorated with ivory, and sprawl out on their couches. They eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the middle of the pen.

New Heart English Bible
Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

Webster's Bible Translation
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the midst of the stall;

World English Bible
who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of the stall,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who are lying down on beds of ivory, "" And are spread out on their couches, "" And are eating lambs from the flock, "" And calves from the midst of the stall,

Young's Literal Translation
Who are lying down on beds of ivory, And are spread out on their couches, And are eating lambs from the flock, And calves from the midst of the stall,

Smith's Literal Translation
Lying upon beds of ivory, and stretching out upon their couches, and eating the lambs from the flock, and the calves from the midst of the stall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You that sleep upon beds of ivory, and are wanton on your couches: that eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the herd;

Catholic Public Domain Version
You sleep on beds of ivory, and you are lustful on your couches. You devour lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the herd.

New American Bible
Those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge upon their couches; Eating lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall;

New Revised Standard Version
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who lie upon beds of ivory, and give themselves to pleasures upon their couches, and eat the fatlings from the flock and calves from the midst of the herd;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they lie on beds of ivory and they seize greedily on their couches who eat fatlings of the flocks and calves from within the herds
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
That lie upon beds of ivory, And stretch themselves upon their couches, And eat the lambs out of the flock, And the calves out of the midst of the stall;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
who sleep upon beds of ivory, and live delicately on their couches, and eat kids out of the flocks, and sucking calves out of the midst of the stalls;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woe to those at Ease in Zion
3You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence. 4You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall. 5You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.…

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.

Ezekiel 16:49
Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy.

Luke 16:19-25
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...

James 5:1-5
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

Isaiah 22:12-14
On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth. / But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” / The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing: “Until your dying day, this sin of yours will never be atoned for,” says the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Jeremiah 5:26-28
For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Hosea 4:7-10
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. / They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. / And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. ...

1 Timothy 5:6
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

Micah 2:1-3
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. / Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I am planning against this nation a disaster from which you cannot free your necks. Then you will not walk so proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.

Revelation 18:7
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’

Proverbs 21:17
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

Matthew 24:38-39
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Isaiah 3:16-24
The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— / the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.” / In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; ...

1 Corinthians 10:7
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”

Zephaniah 1:12
And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’


Treasury of Scripture

That lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of the stall;

lie.

Isaiah 5:11,12
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! …

Isaiah 22:13
And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

Luke 16:19
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

beds.

stretch themselves upon their couches.

1 Samuel 25:36-38
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light…

Psalm 73:7
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Luke 12:19,20
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry…

Jump to Previous
Beds Calves Choice Couches Dine Eat Eating Fattened Feasting Flock Inlaid Ivory Lie Lying Midst Oxen Recline Resting Seats Soft Spread Stall Stretch Stretched Themselves Woe Young
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Beds Calves Choice Couches Dine Eat Eating Fattened Feasting Flock Inlaid Ivory Lie Lying Midst Oxen Recline Resting Seats Soft Spread Stall Stretch Stretched Themselves Woe Young
Amos 6
1. The wantonness of Israel,
7. shall be plagued with desolation;
12. and their incorrigibleness shall end in affliction.














You lie on beds inlaid with ivory
This phrase highlights the opulence and luxury enjoyed by the wealthy in Israel during Amos's time. Ivory was a rare and expensive material, often imported from distant lands, indicating significant wealth and trade connections. Archaeological findings in Samaria have uncovered ivory carvings, supporting the historical context of such luxury. The use of ivory in furniture suggests a focus on comfort and indulgence, contrasting with the call for justice and righteousness in the prophetic tradition. This opulence is condemned as it reflects a disregard for the poor and needy, aligning with the broader biblical theme of social justice found in passages like Isaiah 3:14-15 and James 5:1-6.

and lounge upon your couches
The image of lounging suggests idleness and complacency, a lifestyle of ease that neglects the pressing issues of justice and righteousness. In the cultural context, couches were symbols of leisure and status, often used during banquets and feasts. This behavior is criticized by Amos as it reflects a self-indulgent lifestyle disconnected from the covenantal responsibilities of caring for the marginalized. The prophets frequently warned against such complacency, as seen in Isaiah 32:9-11 and Ezekiel 16:49, where neglect of the poor is equated with sin.

You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall
This phrase underscores the excessive consumption and indulgence in fine foods, which were typically reserved for special occasions or sacrifices. Lambs and calves were considered delicacies, and their consumption by the wealthy highlights a disregard for moderation and the needs of others. In the historical context, such feasting was often associated with pagan practices and idolatry, which the prophets condemned. The imagery here contrasts with the biblical ideal of stewardship and sharing resources, as seen in Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and Luke 16:19-31. The prophetic critique is not against wealth per se but against the misuse of resources and neglect of justice and mercy, which are central to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Amos
A prophet from Tekoa, a small town in Judah, who was called by God to deliver messages of judgment to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, which was experiencing a time of prosperity and complacency, leading to moral and spiritual decay.

3. Ivory Beds and Couches
Symbols of luxury and excess, representing the opulence and self-indulgence of the wealthy elite in Israel.

4. Choice Lambs and Fattened Calves
Indicative of extravagant feasting and indulgence, highlighting the disparity between the rich and the poor.

5. Judgment
The impending consequence of Israel's complacency and neglect of justice and righteousness.
Teaching Points
Complacency in Prosperity
Prosperity can lead to spiritual complacency and a false sense of security. Believers must remain vigilant and prioritize their relationship with God over material wealth.

Social Responsibility
Wealth and resources should be used to promote justice and support those in need, rather than for self-indulgence.

Judgment and Accountability
God holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions, especially when they neglect justice and righteousness.

Contentment and Stewardship
Christians are called to be content with what they have and to be good stewards of their resources, using them to glorify God and serve others.

Awareness of Spiritual Decay
It is crucial to recognize signs of spiritual decay in our lives and communities and to address them through repentance and renewal.(4) Of ivory--i.e., inlaid with that material.

Verse 4. - That lie upon beds of ivory; couches inlaid with ivory (see note on Amos 3:15) at meals. The prophet substantiates his denunciation by describing their selfish luxury and debauchery. Stretch themselves literally, are poured out; Septuagint, κατασπαταλῶντες, "wantoning." Out of the midst of the stall. Calves put up to be fattened. They do this presumably net on festivals, when it would have been proper and excusable, but every day.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You lie
הַשֹּֽׁכְבִים֙ (haš·šō·ḵə·ḇîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7901: To lie down

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

beds
מִטּ֣וֹת (miṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier

inlaid with ivory,
שֵׁ֔ן (šên)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 8127: A tooth, ivory, a cliff

and lounge
וּסְרֻחִ֖ים (ū·sə·ru·ḥîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5628: To go free, be unrestrained, overrun, exceed

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your couches;
עַרְשׂוֹתָ֑ם (‘ar·śō·w·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6210: A couch, divan

You dine on
וְאֹכְלִ֤ים (wə·’ō·ḵə·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

lambs
כָּרִים֙ (kā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3733: A ram, a, battering-ram, a meadow, a pad, camel's saddle

from the flock
מִצֹּ֔אן (miṣ·ṣōn)
Preposition-m | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and calves
וַעֲגָלִ֖ים (wa·‘ă·ḡā·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5695: A, calf, one nearly grown

from
מִתּ֥וֹךְ (mit·tō·wḵ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the stall.
מַרְבֵּֽק׃ (mar·bêq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4770: A stall


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OT Prophets: Amos 6:4 Who lie on beds of ivory (Amo. Am)
Amos 6:3
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