Amos 8:5 - Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;
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What does "Amos 8:5" mean?
This verse from Amos 8:5 is a powerful indictment of the corrupt business practices of the people of Israel during the time of the prophet Amos. Let's break down what each part of the verse means:
"Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat...'": This reveals their impatience and disdain for religious observance. The new moon and the Sabbath were days of rest and worship, but these merchants were eager for them to end so they could resume their business activities. They prioritize profit over religious duty, demonstrating a lack of genuine piety.
"...making the ephah small, and the shekel large...": The ephah was a dry measure used for grain, and the shekel was a unit of weight used for currency. By "making the ephah small," they were cheating their customers by giving them less grain than they were paying for. By "making the shekel large," they were demanding a higher price for the grain.
"...and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;": This is a direct accusation of using rigged scales to further cheat their customers. They were manipulating the weight and measurement tools to ensure they always profited unfairly.
In summary, the verse accuses the merchants of:
Profaning the sacred: They disregard religious observances like the New Moon and the Sabbath in their eagerness to make money.
Deception and Dishonesty: They used dishonest business practices, including manipulating weights and measures, to cheat their customers and increase their profits.
Greed: Their actions were motivated by a relentless pursuit of wealth, even at the expense of fairness and ethical behavior.
Significance:
Amos, as a prophet of social justice, condemns these practices as a violation of God's covenant with Israel. The verse highlights the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable by the wealthy and powerful. It underscores the importance of ethical behavior in all aspects of life, including business, and warns of the consequences of injustice and oppression. The verse is a condemnation of social injustice, where those who are in a position of power exploit the less fortunate for their own gain. It serves as a warning against prioritizing wealth over ethical behavior and genuine faith.
Amos 8:5 - Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;
What does "Amos 8:5" mean?
This verse from Amos 8:5 is a powerful indictment of the corrupt business practices of the people of Israel during the time of the prophet Amos. Let's break down what each part of the verse means:
"Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat...'": This reveals their impatience and disdain for religious observance. The new moon and the Sabbath were days of rest and worship, but these merchants were eager for them to end so they could resume their business activities. They prioritize profit over religious duty, demonstrating a lack of genuine piety.
"...making the ephah small, and the shekel large...": The ephah was a dry measure used for grain, and the shekel was a unit of weight used for currency. By "making the ephah small," they were cheating their customers by giving them less grain than they were paying for. By "making the shekel large," they were demanding a higher price for the grain.
"...and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;": This is a direct accusation of using rigged scales to further cheat their customers. They were manipulating the weight and measurement tools to ensure they always profited unfairly.
In summary, the verse accuses the merchants of:
Profaning the sacred: They disregard religious observances like the New Moon and the Sabbath in their eagerness to make money.
Deception and Dishonesty: They used dishonest business practices, including manipulating weights and measures, to cheat their customers and increase their profits.
Greed: Their actions were motivated by a relentless pursuit of wealth, even at the expense of fairness and ethical behavior.
Significance:
Amos, as a prophet of social justice, condemns these practices as a violation of God's covenant with Israel. The verse highlights the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable by the wealthy and powerful. It underscores the importance of ethical behavior in all aspects of life, including business, and warns of the consequences of injustice and oppression. The verse is a condemnation of social injustice, where those who are in a position of power exploit the less fortunate for their own gain. It serves as a warning against prioritizing wealth over ethical behavior and genuine faith.