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Amos 6:5 You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.
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class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/amos/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/amos/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/amos/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/amos/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/amos/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />That chant to the sound of the viol, <i>and</i> invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/amos/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, <i>And</i> invent for yourselves musical instruments like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/amos/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who improvise to the sound of the harp, <i>And</i> like David have composed songs for themselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/amos/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Who improvise to the sound of the harp, And like David have composed songs for themselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/amos/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Who improvise to the sound of the harp, <i>And</i> like David have composed songs for themselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/amos/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who improvise to the sound of the harp, <i>And</i> like David have composed songs for themselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/amos/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Who improvise to the sound of the harp— Like David they have composed songs for themselves—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/amos/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They improvise songs to the sound of the harp and invent their own musical instruments like David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/amos/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They improvise songs to the sound of the harp and invent their own musical instruments like David. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/amos/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />that sing idle songs to the sound of the viol; that invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/amos/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You sing foolish songs to the music of harps, and you make up new tunes, just as David used to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/amos/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />that sing idle songs to the sound of the viol; that devise for themselves instruments of music, like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/amos/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How horrible it will be for those who make up songs as they strum a harp. Like David, they write all kinds of songs for themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/amos/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You like to compose songs, as David did, and play them on harps. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/amos/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />chanting to the sound of stringed instruments as if they were David, composing songs to themselves as if they were musicians,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/amos/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/amos/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They sing to the tune of stringed instruments; like David they invent musical instruments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/amos/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />who strum on the strings of a harp; who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/amos/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/amos/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who strum on the strings of a harp, who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/amos/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Who are taking part according to the stringed instrument, "" Like David they invented for themselves instruments of music;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/amos/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who are taking part according to the psaltery, Like David they invented for themselves instruments of music;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/amos/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Prating upon the mouth of the lyre, as David they invented to them instruments of music;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/amos/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You that sing to the sound of the psaltery: they have thought themselves to have instruments of music like David; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/amos/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You sing to the sound of stringed instruments; they consider themselves to have the musical abilities of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/amos/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who improvise to the music of the harp, composing on musical instruments like David, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/amos/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/amos/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who chant to the sound of the harp, and consider themselves skilled in the musical instruments like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/amos/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who strike on the mouth of the harp, and like David they devised for themselves instruments of music<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/amos/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That thrum on the psaltery, That devise for themselves instruments of music, like David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/amos/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />who excel in the sound of musical instruments; they have regarded them as abiding, not as fleeting <i>pleasures</i>;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/amos/6-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=1016" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/amos/6.htm">Woe to those at Ease in Zion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6527.htm" title="6527: hap·pō·rə·ṭîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- Perhaps divide. A primitive root; to scatter words, i.e. Prate.">You improvise</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">songs</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî (N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5035.htm" title="5035: han·nā·ḇel (Art:: N-ms) -- A skin-bag for, liquids, a vase, a lyre. Or nebel; from nabel; a skin-bag for liquids; hence, a vase; also a lyre.">on the harp</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: kə·ḏā·wîḏ (Prep-k:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">like David</a> <a href="/hebrew/2803.htm" title="2803: ḥā·šə·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To think, account. ">and invent</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- ">your own</a> <a href="/hebrew/7892.htm" title="7892: šîr (N-ms) -- A song, singing. Or feminine shiyrah; from shiyr; a song; abstractly, singing.">musical</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: kə·lê- (N-mpc) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">instruments.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Isaiah 5:12</a></span><br />At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-32.htm">Ezekiel 33:32</a></span><br />Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">1 Samuel 16:23</a></span><br />And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm">1 Chronicles 25:1-3</a></span><br />Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/35-25.htm">2 Chronicles 35:25</a></span><br />Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers recite laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-2.htm">Psalm 33:2-3</a></span><br />Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings. / Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-9.htm">Psalm 144:9</a></span><br />I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/150-3.htm">Psalm 150:3-5</a></span><br />Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-12.htm">Job 21:12</a></span><br />singing to the tambourine and lyre and making merry at the sound of the flute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-5.htm">Daniel 3:5</a></span><br />As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17</a></span><br />‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Luke 7:32</a></span><br />They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-7.htm">1 Corinthians 14:7-8</a></span><br />Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct? / Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-22.htm">Revelation 18:22</a></span><br />And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Ephesians 5:19</a></span><br />Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;</p><p class="hdg">chant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Genesis 31:27</a></b></br> Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-11.htm">Job 21:11,12</a></b></br> They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:8</a></b></br> I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, <i>as</i> musical instruments, and that of all sorts.</p><p class="hdg">like.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Amos 5:23</a></b></br> Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/8-3.htm">Amos 8:3</a></b></br> And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: <i>there shall be</i> many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast <i>them</i> forth with silence.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/23-5.htm">1 Chronicles 23:5</a></b></br> Moreover four thousand <i>were</i> porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, <i>said David</i>, to praise <i>therewith</i>.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/32-16.htm">Chant</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-13.htm">Composed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-24.htm">Corded</a> <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">David</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-2.htm">Designing</a> <a href="/hosea/7-15.htm">Devise</a> <a href="/hosea/10-4.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/daniel/3-15.htm">Harp</a> <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Harps</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-30.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Instruments</a> <a href="/romans/1-30.htm">Invent</a> <a href="/psalms/92-3.htm">Lute</a> <a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Making</a> <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Music</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Musical</a> <a href="/daniel/6-18.htm">Musick</a> <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Psaltery</a> <a href="/hosea/14-8.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-16.htm">Strings</a> <a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Viol</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/32-16.htm">Chant</a> <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Composed</a> <a href="/exodus/28-14.htm">Corded</a> <a href="/amos/9-11.htm">David</a> <a href="/nahum/1-11.htm">Designing</a> <a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Devise</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-7.htm">Harp</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-7.htm">Harps</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-19.htm">Instruments</a> <a href="/romans/1-30.htm">Invent</a> <a href="/psalms/92-3.htm">Lute</a> <a href="/amos/8-5.htm">Making</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-1.htm">Music</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-5.htm">Musical</a> <a href="/luke/15-25.htm">Musick</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">Psaltery</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/amos/8-3.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/micah/6-9.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Strings</a> <a href="/amos/6-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Viol</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/6-1.htm">The wantonness of Israel,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/6-7.htm">shall be plagued with desolation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/6-12.htm">and their incorrigibleness shall end in affliction.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The harp, a stringed instrument, was commonly used in ancient Israel for worship and celebration. The act of improvising songs suggests a focus on entertainment and self-indulgence rather than worshiping God. In biblical times, music was often associated with spiritual and religious practices, as seen in <a href="/1_chronicles/25.htm">1 Chronicles 25:1</a>, where David appoints musicians for temple worship. The misuse of music here contrasts with its intended purpose of glorifying God.<p><b>like David</b><br>David, the second king of Israel, was renowned for his musical talent and his role in composing many of the Psalms. He used music to worship God and express his devotion, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">1 Samuel 16:23</a>, where his harp playing soothed King Saul. The comparison to David is ironic, as the Israelites' use of music is self-serving rather than God-honoring. This highlights a departure from the spiritual legacy of David, who was a man after God's own heart (<a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Acts 13:22</a>).<p><b>and invent your own musical instruments</b><br>The creation of new musical instruments indicates a focus on innovation and personal pleasure. This reflects a culture more concerned with entertainment and luxury than with spiritual matters. In the context of Amos, this behavior is part of a broader critique of Israel's moral and spiritual decline. The emphasis on inventing suggests a prideful reliance on human creativity rather than seeking divine inspiration. This can be contrasted with the biblical call to use one's talents for God's glory, as seen in the parable of the talents (<a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/amos.htm">Amos</a></b><br>A prophet from Tekoa, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and repentance to Israel during a time of prosperity and complacency.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, experiencing economic prosperity but spiritual decline, characterized by social injustice and idolatry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The second king of Israel, known for his musical talent and heart for God, often associated with the Psalms and worship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/harp.htm">Harp</a></b><br>A stringed musical instrument, often used in worship and associated with King David.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/invention_of_instruments.htm">Invention of Instruments</a></b><br>Refers to the creation and use of musical instruments, possibly indicating a focus on entertainment and self-indulgence rather than worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/misuse_of_gifts.htm">Misuse of Gifts</a></b><br>The Israelites misused their musical talents for self-indulgence rather than worship. We must use our gifts to glorify God, not ourselves.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/complacency_in_prosperity.htm">Complacency in Prosperity</a></b><br>Prosperity can lead to spiritual complacency. We must remain vigilant in our devotion to God, regardless of our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/true_worship.htm">True Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be God-centered, not self-centered. Our focus should be on honoring God, not on personal entertainment or recognition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>Be aware of how cultural practices can infiltrate and distort true worship. We must discern and align our practices with biblical principles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_of_worship.htm">Heart of Worship</a></b><br>Like David, our worship should stem from a heart devoted to God. Authentic worship is a reflection of our relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_love_a_manifestation_of_god.htm">What musical instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ark_to_jerusalem__before_or_after_philistines.htm">When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after? After (2 Samuel 5 and 6) Before (I Chronicles 13 and 14)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_a_levitical_orchestra.htm">Does archaeological or historical evidence support the existence of an organized Levitical orchestra as described in 1 Chronicles 15:16-24?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_musical_terms_are_used_in_psalms.htm">What musical terms are used in Psalms?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/amos/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Chant.--</span>The original Hebrew only occurs in this passage, and is best rendered <span class= "ital">prattle,</span> or <span class= "ital">jabber.</span> The comparison with David is ironical He made these instruments to please the Lord, these princes to please themselves.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">That chant.</span> The word <span class="accented">parat</span> (<span class="greek">ἅπαξ λεγόμενον</span>) means rather "to prattle," "to sing idle songs," as the Revised Version translates it. The reading of the Septuagint varies between <span class="greek">ἐπικρατοῦντες</span>. "excelling," and <span class="greek">ἐπικροτοῦντες</span>, the latter of which words might mean "applauding." <span class="cmt_word">Viol</span> (see note on Amos 5:23). <span class="cmt_word">Invent to themselves instruments of music, like David.</span> As David devised stringed instruments and modes of singing to do honour to God and for the service of his sanctuary (see <a href="/1_chronicles/15-16.htm">1 Chronicles 15:16</a>, etc.; 1 Chronicles 23:5; <a href="/2_chronicles/29-26.htm">2 Chronicles 29:26, 27</a>; and the supernumerary psalm at the end of the Psalter in the Septuagint), so these debauchees invented new singing and playing to grace their luxurious feasts. The Septuagint rendering, which Jerome calls "sensus pulcherrimus," is not to be explained by the present Hebrew text, however true to fact it may be considered, <span class="greek">Ὡς</span> <span class="greek">ἑστηκότα ἐλογίσαντο καὶ οὐχ ὡς φεύγοντα</span>. "Regarded them as abiding and not as fleeting things." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/amos/6-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You improvise</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפֹּרְטִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pō·rə·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6527.htm">Strong's 6527: </a> </span><span class="str2">To scatter words, prate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">songs</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the harp</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּ֑בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5035.htm">Strong's 5035: </a> </span><span class="str2">A skin-bag for, liquids, a vase, a lyre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like David</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּדָוִ֕יד</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḏā·wîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and invent</span><br /><span class="heb">חָשְׁב֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·šə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2803.htm">Strong's 2803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To think, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your own</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">musical</span><br /><span class="heb">שִֽׁיר׃</span> <span class="translit">(šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7892.htm">Strong's 7892: </a> </span><span class="str2">A song, singing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">instruments.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(kə·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/amos/6-5.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 6:5 Who strum on the strings (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/6-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 6:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 6:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/6-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 6:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 6:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>