Amos 6:13

“Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, etc.] In their wealth and riches, which are things that are not, because of the uncertainty of them; and, in comparison of true riches, have no solidity and substance in them, (<202305>Proverbs 23:5); or in any of the things of this world, the lusts of it, the honours of it, human wisdom or strength; all are things of nought, of no worth, give no satisfaction, and are of no continuance, and not to be gloried in, (<240923>Jeremiah 9:23); or in their idols, for an idol is nothing in the world, (<460804>1 Corinthians 8:4); and yet they rejoiced in them, (<440741>Acts 7:41); or in their own works of righteousness, as men of a pharisaical temper do, as these…”

“rejoice in a thing of naught--that is, in your vain and fleeting riches. Have we not taken to us horns--that is, acquired power, so as to conquer our neighbors (Kg2 14:25). Horns are the Hebrew symbol of power, being the instrument of strength in many animals (Psa 75:10).”

“Who rejoice - (Literally, “the rejoicers!” Amos, as is his wont, speaks of them with contempt and wonder at their folly, “the rejoicers!” much as we say, the cowards! the renegades!) “in a thing of nought,” literally, “a non-thing,” (“no-whit, nought”) not merely in a thing valueless, but in a “non-thing,” that has no existence at all, as nothing has any substantial existence out of God. This “non-thing” was their power, strength, empire, which they thought they had, but which was soon to shrivel away as a scroll. Which say - , (as before, “the sayers!” they who have this saying habitually in their month) have we not taken to ourselves horn? The horn is the well-known symbol of strength…”

“Who rejoice - In your victories, alliances, and idols. Have we not - We have raised ourselves to greatness by our wisdom and courage. Amos 6:14”

“6:13 Lo-debar and Karnaim that were part of the territory regained from the Arameans by Jeroboam II (2 Kgs 14:25-28). Amos makes puns on their names (see NLT textual footnote).”

“which: Exo 32:18, Exo 32:19; Jdg 9:19, Jdg 9:20, Jdg 9:27, Jdg 16:23-25; Sa1 4:5; Job 31:25, Job 31:29; Ecc 11:9; Isa 8:6; Jer 9:23, Jer 50:11; Jon 4:6; Hab 1:15, Hab 1:16; Zep 3:11; Luk 12:19, Luk 12:20; Joh 16:20; Jam 4:16; Rev 11:10 Have: Kg2 13:25, Kg2 14:12-14, Kg2 14:25; Ch2 28:6-8; Isa 7:1, Isa 7:4, Isa 17:3, Isa 17:4, Isa 28:14, Isa 28:15; Dan 4:30 Amos 6:14”