Amos 9:11

The Restoration of the Davidic Dynasty

9:11 “In that day I will rebuild the collapsing hut ¹  of David.

I will seal its ²  gaps,

repair its ³  ruins,

and restore it to what it was like in days gone by. ⁴ 

Amos 9:14

9:14 I will bring back my people, Israel; ⁵ 

they will rebuild the cities lying in rubble ⁶  and settle down. ⁷ 

They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce; ⁸ 

they will grow orchards ⁹  and eat the fruit they produce. ¹⁰ 

[9:11]  ¹ tn The phrase translated “collapsing hut” refers to a temporary shelter (cf. NASB, NRSV “booth”) in disrepair and emphasizes the relatively weakened condition of the once powerful Davidic dynasty. Others have suggested that the term refers to Jerusalem, while still others argue that it should be repointed to read “Sukkoth,” a garrison town in Transjordan. Its reconstruction would symbolize the rebirth of the Davidic empire and its return to power (e.g., M. E. Polley, Amos and the Davidic Empire, 71-74).

[9:11]  ² tc The MT reads a third feminine plural suffix, which could refer to the two kingdoms (Judah and Israel) or, more literally, to the breaches in the walls of the cities that are mentioned in v. 4 (cf. 4:3). Some emend to third feminine singular, since the “hut” of the preceding line (a feminine singular noun) might be the antecedent. In that case, the final nun (ן) is virtually dittographic with the vav (ו) that appears at the beginning of the following word.

[9:11]  ³ tc The MT reads a third masculine singular suffix, which could refer back to David. However, it is possible that an original third feminine singular suffix (יה-, yod-hey) has been misread as masculine (יו-, yod-vav). In later Hebrew script a ה (he) resembles a יו- (yod-vav) combination.

[9:11]  ⁴ tn Heb “and I will rebuild as in days of antiquity.”

[9:14]  ⁵ tn This line can also be translated “I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel” and is a common idiom (e.g., Deut 30:3; Jer 30:3; Hos 6:11; Zeph 3:20). This rendering is followed by several modern English versions (e.g., NEB, NRSV, NJPS).

[9:14]  ⁶ tn Or “the ruined [or “desolate”] cities.”

[9:14]  ⁷ tn Or “and live [in them].”

[9:14]  ⁸ tn Heb “drink their wine.”

[9:14]  ⁹ tn Or “gardens.”

[9:14]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “eat their fruit.”