Amos 6:13

6:13 You are happy because you conquered Lo-Debar.

You say, “Did we not conquer Karnaim by our own power?”


tn Heb “those who rejoice over Lo-Debar.”

sn Lo-Debar was located across the Jordan River in Gilead, which the Israelite army had conquered. However, there is stinging irony here, for in Hebrew the name Lo-Debar means “nothing.” In reality Israel was happy over nothing of lasting consequence.

sn Karnaim was also located across the Jordan River. The name in Hebrew means “double horned.” Since an animal’s horn was a symbol of strength (see Deut 33:17), the Israelites boasted in this victory over a town whose very name symbolized military power.