Amos 6:3

6:3 You refuse to believe a day of disaster will come, ¹ 

but you establish a reign of violence. ² 

Amos 6:6

6:6 They drink wine from sacrificial bowls, ³ 

and pour the very best oils on themselves. ⁴ 

Yet they are not concerned over ⁵  the ruin ⁶  of Joseph.

[6:3]  ¹ tn Heb “those who push away a day of disaster.”

[6:3]  ² tn Heb “you bring near a seat of violence.” The precise meaning of the Hebrew term שֶׁבֶת (shevet, “seat, sitting”) is unclear in this context. The translation assumes that it refers to a throne from which violence (in the person of the oppressive leaders) reigns. Another option is that the expression refers not to the leaders’ oppressive rule, but to the coming judgment when violence will overtake the nation in the person of enemy invaders.

[6:6]  ³ sn Perhaps some religious rite is in view, or the size of the bowls is emphasized (i.e., bowls as large as sacrificial bowls).

[6:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “with the best of oils they anoint [themselves].”

[6:6]  ⁵ tn Or “not sickened by.”

[6:6]  ⁶ sn The ruin of Joseph may refer to the societal disintegration in Israel, or to the effects of the impending judgment.