Amos 6:6

“That drink wine in bowls, etc.] Not in small cups or glasses, but in large bowls, that they might drink freely, even to drunkenness; hence we read of the drunkards of Ephraim, or the ten tribes, (<232801>Isaiah 28:1); or “drink in bowls of wine”; which is much to the: same sense. The Targum is, “that drink wine in silver phials;” and anoint themselves with the, chief ointments; which Jarchi says was balsam, and the best is that which grew about Jericho; this they did not for moderate refreshment, but for pleasure, and to indulge themselves in luxury: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph; or the “breach” of himf168; that was made upon him by some enemy or another: either what…”

“drink . . . in bowls--in the large vessels or basins in which wine was mixed; not satisfied with the smaller cups from which it was ordinarily drunk, after having been poured from the large mixer. chief ointments--that is, the most costly: not for health or cleanliness, but wanton luxury. not grieved for the affliction of Joseph--literally, "the breach," that is, the national wound or calamity (Psa 60:2; Eze 34:4) of the house of Joseph (Amo 5:6); resembling in this the heartlessness of their forefathers, the sons of Jacob, towards Joseph, "eating bread" while their brother lay in the pit, and then selling him to Ishmaelites.”

“That drink wine in bowls - (Literally, as the English margin, “drink in bowls,” literally, “sprinkling vessels, of wine”). The word is elsewhere used only of the “bowls,” out of which the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled. Probably Amos was referring to the first offering of the Princes in the wilderness, with whom he had already tacitly contrasted these Princes . They had shown zeal for God in offering the massive bowls for the service of the tabernacle: the like zeal had these princes for the service of their own “god Philippians 3:19, their belly.” It may be too, (since misbelief and sensuality are necessarily irreverent) that they used for their revels vessels which had at one time…”

“In bowls - Not in little vessels, but probably bowls: they drank these filled as full as they could hold too, and in design to drink each other down. And anoint - In those hot countries this anointing was much used. Not grieved - Nothing affected with the calamities of their country. Amos 6:7”

“6:6 wine by the bowlful: The word translated bowl (Hebrew mizraq) is related to a verb meaning sprinkle or splash (Hebrew zaraq; see Exod 24:6); the same word identified the basins used for sprinkling blood or water in religious ceremonies (see 2 Kgs 12:13; 25:15), adding a sense of sacrilege to this description of their drunkenness. • of your nation: The Hebrew text reads of Joseph, referring to the northern kingdom of Israel; see study note on Amos 5:6.”

“drink: This probably refers to the costliness and magnificence of the drinking vessels, as well as to the quantity drank. wine in bowls: or, in bowls of wine, Hos 3:1; Ti1 5:23 chief: Mat 26:7-9; Joh 12:3 but: Gen 37:25-28, Gen 42:21, Gen 42:22, Gen 49:22; Est 3:15; Rom 12:15; Co1 12:26 affliction: or, breach, Kg2 15:29, Kg2 17:3-6; Jer 30:7 Amos 6:7”