Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Amos 1:11
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Thus saith the Lord for three transgressions of Edom, etc.] Or the Edomites, the posterity of Esau, whose name was Edom, so called from the red pottage he sold his birthright for to his brother Jacob: and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; (see Gill on “<300103>Amos 1:3”). Among these three or four transgressions, not only what follows is included, but their idolatry; for that the Edomites had their idols is certain, though what they were cannot be said; (see <142514>2 Chronicles 25:14); because he did pursue his brother with the sword: not Esau his brother Jacob; for though he purposed in his heart to slay him, which obliged him to flee; and frightened him, upon his return, by meeting him with four hundred men; yet he never pursued him with the sword; but his posterity, the Edomites, not only would not suffer the Israelites their brethren to pass by their borders, but came out against them with a large army, (<042018>Numbers 20:18-20); and in the times of Ahaz they came against Judah with the sword, and smote them, and carried away captives, (<142817>2 Chronicles 28:17); and were at the taking and destruction of Jerusalem, and assisted and encouraged in it, (<19D707>Psalm 137:7 <310111>Obadiah 1:11-14); though to these latter instances the prophet could have no respect, because they were after his time: and did cast off all pity; bowels of compassion, natural affection, such as ought to be between brethren, even all humanity: or “corrupted”, or “destroyed all pity”f69; showed none, but extinguished all sparks of it, as their behaviour to the Israelites showed, when upon their borders in the wilderness: and his anger did tear perpetually; it was deeply rooted in them; it began in their first father Esau, on account of the blessing and birthright Jacob got from him; and it descended from father to son in all generations, and was vented in a most cruel manner, like the ravening of a lion, or any other beast of prey: and kept his wrath for ever; reserved it in their breasts till they had an opportunity of showing it, as Esau their father proposed to do, (<012741>Genesis 27:41).
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