Amos 2:7

“That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, etc.] Either were greedy after money, the dust of the earth, and even that small portion of it the poor were possessed of; they could not be easy that they should enjoy that little of it they did, but were desirous to get it out of their hands by oppression and injustice: or they were eagerly desirous of throwing the poor upon the earth, and trampling upon them, and dragging them through the dust of it, thereby filling their heads and covering their faces with it; and caused them to put their mouths in the dust, and be humble suppliants to them. Some think there is an allusion to an ancient custom, which Joseph ben Gorionf89…”

“pant after . . . dust of . . . earth on . . . head of . . . poor--that is, eagerly thirst for this object, by their oppression to prostrate the poor so as to cast the dust on their heads in mourning on the earth (compare Sa2 1:2; Job 2:12; Eze 27:30). turn aside . . . way of . . . meek--pervert their cause (Amo 5:12; Job 24:4 [GROTIUS]; Isa 10:2). a man and his father--a crime "not so much as named among the Gentiles" (Co1 5:1). When God's people sin in the face of light, they often fall lower than even those who know not God. go in unto the same maid--from Amo 2:8 it seems likely "the damsel" meant is one of the prostitutes attached to the idol Astarte's temple: prostitution being part of…”

“That pant after the dust of the earth - Literally, “the panters!” with indignation. Not content with having rent from him the little hereditary property which belonged to each Israelite, these creditors grudged him even the “dust,” which, as a mourner, he strewed on his head Job 2:12, since it too was “earth.” Covetousness, when it has nothing to feed it, craves for what is absurd or impossible. What was Naboth’s vineyard to a king of Israel with his “ivory palace?” What was Mordecai’s refusal to bow to one in honor like Haman? What a trivial gain to a millionaire? The sarcasm of the prophet was the more piercing, because it was so true. People covet things in proportion, not to their worth,…”

“The people - That make a prey even of the poor afflicted ones, who walk with dust on their heads. Turn aside - Maliciously interpret the actions, words, and designs of the humble and meek. Will go in - These corrupt judges commit also that lewdness which the Heathens abhor. Amos 2:8”

“2:7 To trample . . . people was to treat them ruthlessly (see also 8:4). • The helpless and oppressed were people exploited by a socio-economic system that denied them the justice guaranteed by law (Exod 23:6-8). • That father and son sleep with the same woman demonstrated the moral destitution of the Israelites; the law of Moses prohibited this practice (Lev 18:7-8, 15; 20:11-12). • corrupting my holy name: In worshiping various fertility gods, Israel and surrounding nations engaged in “sacred prostitution” (see Hos 4:10-14). Sexual relations with a shrine prostitute were thought to ensure plentiful crops and thriving herds of livestock. This verse suggests that these acts were performed in…”

“pant: Amo 4:1; Kg1 21:4; Pro 28:21; Mic 2:2, Mic 2:9, Mic 7:2, Mic 7:3; Zep 3:3 and turn: Amo 5:12; Isa 10:2 and a: Lev 18:8, Lev 18:15; Eze 22:11; Co1 5:1 maid: or, young woman to profane: Lev 20:3; Sa2 12:14; Eze 36:20; Rom 2:24 Amos 2:8”