Amos 4:1
New International Version
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!”

New Living Translation
Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!”

English Standard Version
“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’

Berean Standard Bible
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”

King James Bible
Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

New King James Version
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, Who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, “Bring wine, let us drink!”

New American Standard Bible
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who exploit the poor, who oppress the needy, And say to their husbands, “Bring now, that we may drink!”

NASB 1995
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, “Bring now, that we may drink!”

NASB 1977
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, “Bring now, that we may drink!”

Legacy Standard Bible
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to their husbands, “Bring now, that we may drink!”

Amplified Bible
Hear this word, you [well-fed, pampered] cows (women) of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to their husbands, “Bring [the wine] now, and let us drink!”

Christian Standard Bible
Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who are on the hill of Samaria, women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to their husbands, “Bring us something to drink.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who are on the hill of Samaria, women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to their husbands,” Bring us something to drink.”

American Standard Version
Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, that oppress the poor, that crush the needy, that say unto their lords, Bring, and let us drink.

Contemporary English Version
You women of Samaria are fat cows! You mistreat and abuse the poor and needy, then you say to your husbands, "Bring us more drinks!"

English Revised Version
Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say unto their lords, Bring, and let us drink.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who live on Mount Samaria. You women oppress the poor and abuse the needy. You say to your husbands, "Get some wine! Let's drink!"

Good News Translation
Listen to this, you women of Samaria, who grow fat like the well-fed cows of Bashan, who mistreat the weak, oppress the poor, and demand that your husbands keep you supplied with liquor!

International Standard Version
"Listen to this message, you fat cows from Bashan, who live on the Samaritan mountains, who oppress the poor, who rob the needy, and who constantly ask your husbands for one more drink!"

Majority Standard Bible
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”

NET Bible
Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who live on Mount Samaria! You oppress the poor; you crush the needy. You say to your husbands, "Bring us more to drink!"

New Heart English Bible
Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husbands, "Bring us something to drink."

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear this word, ye heifers of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

World English Bible
Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husbands, “Bring us drinks!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, "" Who [are] on the mountain of Samaria, "" Who are oppressing the poor, "" Who are bruising the needy, "" Who are saying to their lords: “Bring in, and we drink.”

Young's Literal Translation
Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, Who are in the mountain of Samaria, Who are oppressing the poor, Who are bruising the needy, Who are saying to their lords: 'Bring in, and we do drink.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Hear this word, ye heifers of Bashan, which are upon the mountain of Shomeron, oppressing the poor, breaking in pieces the needy, saying to their lords, Bring, and we will drink.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hear this word, ye fat kine that are in the mountains of Samaria: you that oppress the needy, and crush the poor: that say to your masters: Bring, and we will drink.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Listen to this word, you fat cows that are on the mountain of Samaria, you who make false accusations against the destitute and crush the poor, who say to your nobles, “Bring, and we will drink.”

New American Bible
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who live on the mount of Samaria: Who oppress the destitute and abuse the needy; Who say to your husbands, “Bring us a drink!”

New Revised Standard Version
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on Mount Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to their husbands, “Bring something to drink!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
HEAR this word, O vicious men of Bashan, who are in the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to their lords, Bring, and let us drink:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear this answer, heifers of Bayshan that are on the hills of Samaria, who oppress the poor and afflict the afflicted, and they say to their Masters: ”Bring to us, let us drink!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, That are in the mountain of Samaria, That oppress the poor, that crush the needy, That say unto their lords: 'Bring, that we may feast.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hear ye this word, ye heifers of the land of Basan that are in the mountain of Samaria, that oppress the poor, and trample on the needy, which say to their masters, Give us that we may drink.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Punishment Brings No Repentance
1Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.” 2The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.…

Cross References
Isaiah 3:16-26
The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— / the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.” / In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; ...

Ezekiel 34:20-22
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. / Since you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them abroad, / I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another.

Hosea 4:1-3
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. / Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.

Micah 3:1-3
Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? / You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. / You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”

Jeremiah 5:26-29
For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. ...

Isaiah 32:9-13
Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters. / In a little more than a year you will tremble, O secure ones. For the grape harvest will fail and the fruit harvest will not arrive. / Shudder, you ladies of leisure; tremble, you daughters of complacency. Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists. ...

Ezekiel 13:18-23
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own? / You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people who would listen, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not have lived. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I am against the magic charms with which you ensnare souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. So I will free the souls you have ensnared like birds. ...

Zechariah 7:10-11
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ / But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.

Isaiah 10:1-3
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. / What will you do on the day of reckoning when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?

Jeremiah 22:13-17
“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, / who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. / Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. ...

Matthew 23:23-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. / You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ...

Luke 6:24-25
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. / Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”


Treasury of Scripture

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

ye kine.

Deuteronomy 32:14,15
Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape…

Psalm 22:12
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

Jeremiah 50:11,27
Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; …

the mountains.

Amos 6:1
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

1 Kings 16:24
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

which oppress.

Amos 2:6,7
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; …

Amos 3:9,10
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof…

Amos 5:11
Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

crush.

Deuteronomy 28:33
The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:

Job 20:19
Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;

Jeremiah 51:34
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.

Bring.

Amos 2:8
And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.

Joel 3:3
And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

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Bashan Cows Crush Crushed Drink Drinks Ear Feast Hear Hill Husbands Kept Lords Masters Mount Mountain Need Needy Oppress Poor Samaria Sama'ria Women Word
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Bashan Cows Crush Crushed Drink Drinks Ear Feast Hear Hill Husbands Kept Lords Masters Mount Mountain Need Needy Oppress Poor Samaria Sama'ria Women Word
Amos 4
1. He reproves Israel for oppression,
4. for idolatry,
6. and for their incorrigibleness.














Hear this word
The phrase "Hear this word" is a prophetic call to attention, a common introduction in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שְׁמַע" (shema), which implies not just listening but also obeying. This call is a divine summons, urging the audience to heed the message from God. It reflects the seriousness and authority of the prophetic message, demanding a response from the hearers.

you cows of Bashan
The "cows of Bashan" is a metaphorical expression referring to the wealthy and indulgent women of Samaria. Bashan was a region known for its fertile land and well-fed cattle, symbolizing prosperity and excess. The use of "cows" here is not merely descriptive but carries a tone of rebuke, highlighting the self-indulgence and moral decay of those addressed. This metaphor underscores the contrast between their physical abundance and spiritual poverty.

on Mount Samaria
Mount Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a place of political and religious significance. It was a center of idolatry and corruption, often criticized by the prophets. The mention of "Mount Samaria" situates the prophecy in a specific historical and geographical context, emphasizing the accountability of those in positions of power and influence.

you women who oppress the poor
The phrase "you women who oppress the poor" highlights the social injustice prevalent in Israel at the time. The Hebrew word for "oppress" is "עָשַׁק" (ashaq), meaning to exploit or crush. This accusation points to the moral failure of those who, despite their wealth, lack compassion and justice. It serves as a reminder of God's concern for the marginalized and His call for righteousness.

and crush the needy
"Crush the needy" further emphasizes the severity of the social injustice. The Hebrew root "רָצַץ" (ratsats) conveys a sense of breaking or shattering, illustrating the destructive impact of their actions. This phrase underscores the theme of divine justice, as God holds accountable those who abuse their power at the expense of the vulnerable.

who say to their husbands, 'Bring us more to drink.'
This phrase captures the self-indulgence and insatiable desire for luxury among the women addressed. It reflects a lifestyle of excess and disregard for the needs of others. The demand for more to drink symbolizes their gluttony and moral insensitivity. This critique serves as a warning against the dangers of materialism and the neglect of spiritual and ethical responsibilities.

(1) Bashan.--This contained the rich pasture-lands east of the Jordan, between Hermon and the mountains of Gilead, where cattle flourished. The "strong bulls of Bashan" (Psalm 22:12) were descriptive of the malignant enemies of the ideal sufferer. The feminine "kine" refers to the luxurious self-indulgent women of fashion in Samaria.

Which say to their masters (i.e., their husbands), Bring, and let us drink.--Their very debauch being paid for by the robbery of the poor. Some regard the feminines as sarcastic epithets, merely expressing effeminacy on the part of men. But this is not a probable explanation.

Verses 1-13. - § 2. Second address. The prophet reproves the voluptuous women of Samaria, and fortells their captivity (vers. 1-3); with bitter irony he describes the people's devotion to idolatry (vers. 4, 5): he shows how incorrigible they have proved themselves under God's chastisements (vers. 6-11); therefore they must expect further punishment, if so be that they will learn to fear the Lord (vers. 12, 13). Verse 1. - The very women are leaders in dissoluteness and oppression. Ye kine of Bashan. Fat and well liking, such as the rich pastures of Bashan produce. Some have supposed that by this term are meant the luxurious nobles of Samaria, who are called "cows" as being effeminate and licentious. This is possible; but such grandees would be called rather "bulls of Bashan," and the "masters" mentioned just below signify more naturally these women's husbands than the kings. Pussy notes that the genders in the sentence are interchanged. "Hear ye," "your Lord," "upon you," "they shall take you," being masculine; "that oppress," "that crush," "that say," "your posterity," "ye shall go out," "each before her," "ye shall cast," feminine. Evidently the prophet addresses his reproaches to the luxurious of both sexes, though he begins with the women. The land of Bashan extended from Hermon to the Jabbok, including Gaulonitis, Auronitis, Batauea, and Trachonitis. It was always famous for its pasturage, cattle, and oaks. The Vulgate takes the term as metaphorical, and has, vaccae pingues. So Symmachus, βόες εὔτροφοι, which translation Jerome adopts. Mountain of Samaria. The hill of Shomer, on which Samaria was built (see note on ch. 3:9). Oppress the poor. This they did in ministering, or getting their husbands to minister, to their luxury and debauchery. Apparently they urged their husbands to violence and fraud in order to obtain means to satisfy their extravagance. A bad woman is thoroughly unscrupulous (see the case of Ahab and Naboth, 1 Kings 21:7, etc.). Their masters; their lords; i.e. husbands (comp. Genesis 18:12; 1 Peter 3:6). Bring, and let us drink. They invite their husbands to supply the means of debauchery and to join in their revels.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hear
שִׁמְע֞וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

this
הַזֶּ֗ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

word,
הַדָּבָ֣ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

you cows
פָּר֤וֹת (pā·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6510: A heifer, cow

of Bashan
הַבָּשָׁן֙ (hab·bā·šān)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1316: Bashan -- 'smooth', a region East of the Jordan

on Mount
בְּהַ֣ר (bə·har)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

Samaria,
שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן (šō·mə·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

you women who oppress
הָעֹשְׁק֣וֹת (hā·‘ō·šə·qō·wṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 6231: To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

the poor
דַּלִּ֔ים (dal·lîm)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin

and crush
הָרֹצְצ֖וֹת (hā·rō·ṣə·ṣō·wṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 7533: To crack in pieces

the needy,
אֶבְיוֹנִ֑ים (’eḇ·yō·w·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor

who say
הָאֹמְרֹ֥ת (hā·’ō·mə·rōṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to your husbands,
לַאֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֖ם (la·’ă·ḏō·nê·hem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

“Bring us
הָבִ֥יאָה (hā·ḇî·’āh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

more to drink.”
וְנִשְׁתֶּֽה׃ (wə·niš·teh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe


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OT Prophets: Amos 4:1 Listen to this word you cows (Amo. Am)
Amos 3:15
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