Discovery BoxAmos 4:6 
Context4:6 “But surely I gave 1 you no food to eat in any of your cities;
you lacked food everywhere you live. 2
Still you did not come back to me.”
The Lord is speaking!
Amos 9:14
Context9:14 I will bring back my people, Israel; 3
they will rebuild the cities lying in rubble 4 and settle down. 5
They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce; 6
1 tn The Hebrew construction is emphatic (pronoun + verb). It underscores the stark contrast between the judgments that the Lord had been sending with the God of blessing Israel was celebrating in its worship (4:4-5).
2 tn Heb “But I gave to you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of food in all your places.” The phrase “cleanness of teeth” is a vivid way of picturing the famine Israel experienced.
3 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).
4 tn Or “the ruined [or “desolate”] cities.”
5 tn Or “and live [in them].”
6 tn Heb “drink their wine.”
7 tn Or “gardens.”
8 tn Heb “eat their fruit.”
