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…

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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
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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 paints a vivid picture of opulence and excess. The Hebrew word for "beds" (מִטּוֹת, mittot) suggests a place of rest and comfort, but here it is associated with luxury beyond necessity. Ivory, a precious material often imported from distant lands, signifies wealth and status. Archaeological findings have uncovered ivory carvings and inlays in ancient Israelite sites, indicating the presence of such luxury. This imagery serves as a critique of the Israelites' indulgence and complacency, highlighting their focus on material wealth rather than spiritual richness. In a conservative Christian perspective, this can be seen as a warning against the dangers of prioritizing earthly treasures over heavenly ones, echoing Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing treasures in heaven.

and lounge on your couches
The word "lounge" (סָרַח, sarach) implies a sense of laziness and self-indulgence. Couches, or "divans," were symbols of leisure and relaxation, often associated with banquets and feasting. This phrase suggests a lifestyle of ease and neglect of duty, where the people are more concerned with their comfort than with justice or righteousness. Historically, this reflects a period of prosperity in Israel under King Jeroboam II, where economic success led to moral and spiritual decline. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and stewardship, urging believers to remain active in their faith and service to God, rather than succumbing to complacency.

You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves
"Dine" (אָכַל, akal) indicates not just eating, but feasting. The "choice lambs" and "fattened calves" represent the best and most luxurious of foods, reserved for special occasions or the wealthy elite. In the context of ancient Israel, such feasting was a sign of prosperity but also of excess when it became a regular indulgence. The sacrificial system in Israel often involved the offering of lambs and calves, yet here, the focus is on consumption for pleasure rather than worship. This highlights a distortion of values, where the gifts of God are used for self-gratification rather than His glory. In a conservative Christian context, this serves as a caution against the misuse of God's blessings, encouraging believers to practice gratitude and generosity, aligning their lives with God's purposes rather than personal indulgence.

(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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