Amos 6:13

You are happy because you conquered Lo-Debar. ¹  You say, “Did we not conquer Karnaim ²  by our own power?”

Ex 32:18,19; Jud 9:19,20,27; Jud 16:23-25; 1Sa 4:5; 2Ki 13:25; 2Ki 14:12-14,25; 2Ch 28:6-8; Job 31:25,29; Ec 11:9; Isa 7:1,4; Isa 8:6; Isa 17:3,4; Isa 28:14,15; Jer 9:23; Jer 50:11; Da 4:30; Jon 4:6; Hab 1:15,16; Zep 3:11; Lu 12:19,20; Joh 16:20; Jas 4:16; Re 11:10

¹ 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.

² 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.