Amos 7:10

“Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel, etc.] The Targum calls him the prince or president of Bethel; and the word used signifies both a prince and a priest; and very probably this man had the care of the civil as well as religious matters in Bethel. Aben Ezra styles him the priest of Baal; he was one that succeeded the priests that Jeroboam the son of Nebat placed here, to offer sacrifices to the calf he set up in this place, (<111232>1 Kings 12:32); who hearing the above three visions of Amos delivered, and fearing that he would alienate the people from the idolatrous worship he was at the head of, and frighten them from an attendance on it, which would lessen his esteem with the people, and…”

“AMAZIAH'S CHARGE AGAINST AMOS: HIS DOOM FORETOLD. (Amo 7:10-17) priest of Beth-el--chief priest of the royal sanctuary to the calves at Beth-el. These being a device of state policy to keep Israel separate from Judah. Amaziah construes Amos words against them as treason. So in the case of Elijah and Jeremiah (Kg1 18:17; Jer 37:13-14). So the antitype Jesus was charged (Joh 19:12); political expediency being made in all ages the pretext for dishonoring God and persecuting His servants (Joh 11:48-50). So in the case of Paul (Act 17:6-7; Act 24:5). in the midst of . . . Israel--probably alluding to Amos' own words, "in the midst of . . . Israel" (Amo 7:8), foretelling the state's overthrow to…”

“Amaziah, the priest of Bethel - Was probably the high priest, in imitation of the high priest of the order of Aaron and of God’s appointment. For the many high places around Bethel required many idol-priests; and a splendid counterfeit of the ritual at Jerusalem, which should rival it in the eyes of Israel, was part of the policy of the first Jeroboam. Amaziah was at the head of this imposture, in a position probably of wealth and dignity among his people. Like “Demetriers the silversmith” Acts 19:0, he thought that the craft whereby he had his wealth was endangered. To Jeroboam, however, he says nothing of these fears. To the king he makes it an affair of state. He takes the king by what he…”

“In the midst - Openly, and publickly, endeavouring to stir up Israel to sedition or rebellion. The land - The people cannot bear all his harsh predictions. Amos 7:11”

“7:10-17 This section graphically depicts the corruption of the priesthood, reinforcing the point of the visions on either side of it, that judgment is inescapable.”

“the priest: Kg1 12:31, Kg1 12:32, Kg1 13:33; Kg2 14:23, Kg2 14:24; Ch2 13:8, Ch2 13:9; Jer 20:1-3; Jer 29:26, Jer 29:27; Mat 21:23; This was truly a lying prophet; there was not one word of truth in his message to Jeroboam. hath: Kg1 18:17; Jer 26:8-11, Jer 37:13-15, Jer 38:4; Luk 23:2; Act 5:28, Act 24:5 not: Gen 37:8; Jer 18:18; Act 7:54 Amos 7:11”

“Opposition to the Prophet at Bethel. - The daring announcement of the overthrow of the royal family excites the wrath of the high priest at Bethel, so that he relates the affair to the king, to induce him to proceed against the troublesome prophet ( Amo 7:10 and Amo 7:11), and then calls upon Amos himself to leave Bethel ( Amo 7:12 and Amo 7:13). That this attempt to drive Amos out of Bethel was occasioned by his prophecy in Amo 7:7-11, is evident from what Amaziah says to the king concerning the words of Amos. "The priest of Bethel" (Kōhēn Bēth-ēl) is the high priest at the sanctuary of the golden calf at Bethel. He accused the prophet to the king of having made a conspiracy (qâshar;…”