Discovery BoxAmos 2:8 
Context2:8 They stretch out on clothing seized as collateral;
they do so right 1 beside every altar!
They drink wine bought with the fines they have levied;
they do so right in the temple 2 of their God! 3
Amos 4:1
Context4:1 Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan 4 who live on Mount Samaria!
You 5 oppress the poor;
you crush the needy.
You say to your 6 husbands,
“Bring us more to drink!” 7
Amos 9:14
Context9:14 I will bring back my people, Israel; 8
they will rebuild the cities lying in rubble 9 and settle down. 10
They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce; 11
they will grow orchards 12 and eat the fruit they produce. 13
1 tn The words “They do so right” are supplied twice in the translation of this verse for clarification.
2 tn Heb “house.”
3 tn Or “gods.” The Hebrew term אֱלֹהֵיהֶם (’elohehem) may be translated “their gods” (referring to pagan gods), “their god” (referring to a pagan god, cf. NAB, NIV, NLT), or “their God” (referring to the God of Israel, cf. NASB, NRSV).
4 sn The expression cows of Bashan is used by the prophet to address the wealthy women of Samaria, who demand that their husbands satisfy their cravings. The derogatory language perhaps suggests that they, like the livestock of Bashan, were well fed, ironically in preparation for the coming slaughter. This phrase is sometimes cited to critique the book’s view of women.
5 tn Heb “the ones who” (three times in this verse).
6 tn Heb “their.”
7 sn Some commentators relate this scene to the description of the marzeah feast of 6:3-6, in which drinking played a prominent part (see the note at 6:6).
8 tn This line can also be translated “I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel” and is a common idiom (e.g., Deut 30:3; Jer 30:3; Hos 6:11; Zeph 3:20). This rendering is followed by several modern English versions (e.g., NEB, NRSV, NJPS).
9 tn Or “the ruined [or “desolate”] cities.”
10 tn Or “and live [in them].”
11 tn Heb “drink their wine.”
12 tn Or “gardens.”
13 tn Heb “eat their fruit.”
