Amos 9:6

9:6 He builds the upper rooms of his palace ¹  in heaven

and sets its foundation supports ²  on the earth. ³ 

He summons the water of the sea

and pours it out on the earth’s surface.

The Lord is his name.

[9:6]  ¹ tc The MT reads “his steps.” If this is correct, then the reference may be to the steps leading up to the heavenly temple or the throne of God (cf. 1 Kgs 10:19-20). The prefixed מ (mem) may be dittographic (note the preceding word ends in mem). The translation assumes an emendation to עֲלִיָּתוֹ (’aliyyato, “his upper rooms”).

[9:6]  ² tn Traditionally, “vault” (so ASV, NAB, NRSV). The precise meaning of this word in this context is unclear. Elsewhere it refers to objects grouped or held together. F. I. Andersen and D. N. Freedman (Amos [AB], 845-46) suggest the foundational structure of a building is in view.

[9:6]  ³ sn Verse 6a pictures the entire universe as a divine palace founded on the earth and extending into the heavens.