notes on 6:8-11

Form

Verse 8 makes up a sensible little speech on its own, it is a divine oath (as in 4:2). In verses 9-11 there is a short narrative which provides commentary on the judgment of v.8. These verses describe what "I will deliver up the city" means.

Source-critical approaches

The passage most similar to 9-11 is the little story in 5:19-20, however there the style was poetic and structured. Here the story is prosaic, while v.8 has a poetic feel. For this reason historico-critical scholarship has suspected these verses to be an addition.

This page is part of the Hypertext Bible Commentary - Amos , if you have reached it as a standalone page, to view it in context, go to www.bible.gen.nz
© Tim Bulkeley, 1996-2005, Tim Bulkeley. All rights reserved.