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Woe to Those at Ease in Zion
Amos 6:1–7 warns people in Zion and Samaria who feel safe, important and comfortable while ignoring the affliction of Joseph. This prophecy shows that ease and status can hide serious danger.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage opens with a woe against notable people in Zion and Samaria. It compares them with Calneh, Hamath and Gath, then describes their luxurious living, music, food, drink and oils. It ends by saying captivity will come first to them, and their feasting will stop.
Amos 6:1–7Main takeaway
This passage warns that comfortable self-confidence, especially without grief for the affliction of Joseph, is a dangerous kind of security.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A woe for those at easeThe passage begins with “Woe”, announcing trouble for people “at ease in Zion” and “secure on the mountain of Samaria”.
Explanation
The passage begins with “Woe”, announcing trouble for people “at ease in Zion” and “secure on the mountain of Samaria”. They are “notable men” of the chief nation, people to whom the house of Israel come. Their importance and confidence are named, but not praised.
02A comparison that challenges confidenceThey are told to look at Calneh, Hamath the great and Gath of the Philistines. Then come two questions: are those kingdoms better, and is their border greater?
Explanation
They are told to look at Calneh, Hamath the great and Gath of the Philistines. Then come two questions: are those kingdoms better, and is their border greater? The comparison presses hearers to question whether their own position is really as secure as they assume.
03Luxury while danger is pushed awayThe woe continues for those who “put far away the evil day”, language that suggests they treat coming trouble as distant, while “the seat of violence” comes near.
04Not grieved for Joseph, then taken captiveThe deepest fault is that “they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph”. Their comfort sits beside a lack of sorrow for others.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who is the woe aimed at in verse 1?
Notice the passage points to those “at ease”, “secure”, and described as notable men to whom the house of Israel come.
02What do the questions about Calneh, Hamath and Gath do in the passage?
They challenge the hearers to reconsider whether their kingdom and borders make them better or safer.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Amos 6:1–7
1Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who are secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come!
2Go to Calneh, and see. From there go to Hamath the great. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better than these kingdoms? Is their border greater than your border?
3Alas for you who put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near,
4who 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,
5who strum on the strings of a harp, who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;
6who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best oils, but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
7Therefore they will now go captive with the first who go captive. The feasting and lounging will end.