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You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales. <a href="/esv/amos/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, <a href="/bsb/amos/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. <a href="/kjv/amos/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? <a href="/nkjv/amos/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Saying: “When will the New Moon be past, That we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, That we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, Falsifying the scales by deceit, <a href="/nasb_/amos/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain; And the Sabbath, so that we may open the wheat market, To make the ephah smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, <a href="/nasb/amos/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> saying, &#8220When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, <a href="/nasb77/amos/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, <a href="/lsb/amos/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> saying, “When will the new moon pass over, So that we may sell grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with a deceptive balance, <a href="/amp/amos/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> saying, “When will the New Moon [festival] be over So that we may sell grain, And the Sabbath ended so that we may open the wheat market, Making the ephah [measure] smaller and the shekel bigger [that is, selling less for a higher price] And to cheat by falsifying the scales, <a href="/csb/amos/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> asking, “When will the New Moon be over so we may sell grain, and the Sabbath, so we may market wheat? We can reduce the measure while increasing the price and cheat with dishonest scales. <a href="/hcsb/amos/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> asking, &#8220When will the New Moon be over so we may sell grain, and the Sabbath, so we may market wheat? We can reduce the measure while increasing the price and cheat with dishonest scales. <a href="/asv/amos/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit; <a href="/cev/amos/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You say to yourselves, "How much longer before the end of the New Moon Festival? When will the Sabbath be over? Our wheat is ready, and we want to sell it now. We can't wait to cheat and charge high prices for the grain we sell. We will use dishonest scales <a href="/erv/amos/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat? making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit; <a href="/gwt/amos/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You say to yourselves, "When will the New Moon Festival be over so that we can sell more grain? When will the day of worship be over so that we can sell more wheat? We can shrink the size of the bushel baskets, increase the cost, and cheat with dishonest scales. <a href="/gnt/amos/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> You say to yourselves, "We can hardly wait for the holy days to be over so that we can sell our grain. When will the Sabbath end, so that we can start selling again? Then we can overcharge, use false measures, and fix the scales to cheat our customers. <a href="/isv/amos/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> and who are saying, 'When will the New Moon fade so we may sell grain, and the Sabbath conclude so we may market winnowed wheat?— shortchanging the measure, raising the price, falsifying the scales by treachery, <a href="/net/amos/8.htm">NET Bible</a> You say, "When will the new moon festival be over, so we can sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, so we can open up the grain bins? We're eager to sell less for a higher price, and to cheat the buyer with rigged scales! <a href="/nheb/amos/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> saying, 'When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit; <a href="/wbt/amos/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/amos/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. <a href="/web/amos/8.htm">World English Bible</a> saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit; <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/amos/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Saying, “When does the new moon pass, "" And we sell ground grain? And the Sabbath, and we open out pure grain? To make little the ephah, "" And to make great the shekel, "" And to use balances of deceit perversely. <a href="/ylt/amos/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Saying, When doth the new moon pass, And we sell ground corn? And the sabbath, and we open out pure corn? To make little the ephah, And to make great the shekel, And to use perversely balances of deceit. <a href="/slt/amos/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Saying, When will the month pass through, and we will sell grain? and the Sabbath, and we will open wheat to diminish the ephah, and to enlarge the shekel, and to make crooked the balance of deceit?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/amos/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Saying: When will the month be over, and we shall sell our wares: and the sabbath, and we shall open the corn: that we may lessen the measure, and increase the sicle, and may convey in deceitful balances, <a href="/cpdv/amos/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You say, “When will the first day of the month be over, so we can sell our wares, and the sabbath, so we can open the grain: in order that we may decrease the measure, and increase the price, and substitute deceitful scales, <a href="/nabre/amos/8.htm">New American Bible</a> “When will the new moon be over,” you ask, “that we may sell our grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the grain-bins? We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating! <a href="/nrsvce/amos/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> saying, “When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/amos/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Saying, When will the month be over, that we may sell grain? When will the sabbath be over that we may open storehouses and make our measures small and enlarge weights and make deceitful balances? <a href="/hpbt/amos/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they were saying: ”When will the month pass and we will buy grain and the Sabbath will pass and we will open the stores, and we will make small measures and we will make large shekels and we will make a scale of deceit<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/amos/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Saying: 'When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the sabbath, that we may set forth corn? Making the ephah small, and the shekel great, And falsifying the balances of deceit; <a href="/sep/amos/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> saying, When will the month pass away, and we shall sell, and the sabbath, and we shall open the treasure, to make the measure small, and to enlarge the weight, and make the balance unfair? <a href="/parallel/amos/8-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=1366" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/amos/8.htm">The Basket of Ripe Fruit</a> …4Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, 5<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asking,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4970.htm" title="4970: mā·ṯay (Interrog) -- When?. From an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent; but used only adverbially, when.">“When</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: ha·ḥō·ḏeš (Art:: N-ms) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">will the New Moon</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ya·‘ă·ḇōr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">be over,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7666.htm" title="7666: wə·naš·bî·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To buy grain. Denominative from sheber; to deal in grain.">that we may sell</a> <a href="/hebrew/7668.htm" title="7668: še·ḇer (N-ms) -- Corn, grain. The same as sheber; grain.">grain?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7676.htm" title="7676: wə·haš·šab·bāṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-cs) -- Sabbath. Intensive from shabath; intermission, i.e the Sabbath.">When will the Sabbath end,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: wə·nip̄·tə·ḥāh- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">that we may market</a> <a href="/hebrew/1250.htm" title="1250: bār (N-ms) -- Grain, corn. Or bar; from barar; grain of any kind; by extens. The open country.">wheat?</a> <a href="/hebrew/6994.htm" title="6994: lə·haq·ṭîn (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be small or insignificant. A primitive root; to diminish, i.e. Be diminutive or of no account.">Let us reduce</a> <a href="/hebrew/374.htm" title="374: ’ê·p̄āh (N-fs) -- An ephah (a measure of grain). Or ephah; of Egyptian derivation; an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general.">the ephah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: ū·lə·haḡ·dîl (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">and increase</a> <a href="/hebrew/8255.htm" title="8255: še·qel (N-ms) -- (a measure of weight) shekel. From shaqal; probably a weight; used as a commercial standard.">the shekel;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5791.htm" title="5791: ū·lə·‘aw·wêṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To be bent or crooked. A primitive root; to wrest.">let us cheat</a> <a href="/hebrew/4820.htm" title="4820: mir·māh (N-fs) -- Deceit, treachery. From ramah in the sense of deceiving; fraud.">with dishonest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3976.htm" title="3976: mō·zə·nê (N-mdc) -- Balances, scales. From 'azan; a pair of scales.">scales.</a> 6Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/micah/6-10.htm">Micah 6:10-12</a> Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? / Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? / For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths. <a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Hosea 12:7</a> A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands. <a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm">Proverbs 20:23</a> Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good. <a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Leviticus 19:35-36</a> You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. / You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. <a href="/deuteronomy/25-13.htm">Deuteronomy 25:13-16</a> You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. / You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small. / You must maintain accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. ... <a href="/nehemiah/13-15.htm">Nehemiah 13:15-17</a> In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. / Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. / Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? <a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Isaiah 1:13-15</a> Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. / When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-29</a> For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. ... <a href="/ezekiel/45-10.htm">Ezekiel 45:10-12</a> You must use honest scales, a just ephah, and a just bath. / The ephah and the bath shall be the same quantity so that the bath will contain a tenth of a homer, and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer will be the standard measure for both. / The shekel will consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels will equal one mina. <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a> “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Mark 11:15-17</a> When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. / Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” <a href="/luke/16-10.htm">Luke 16:10-13</a> Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. / So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? / And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own? ... <a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a> Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ... <a href="/revelation/6-5.htm">Revelation 6:5-6</a> And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. / And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?When.<a href="/numbers/10-10.htm">Numbers 10:10</a> Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.<a href="/numbers/28-11.htm">Numbers 28:11-15</a> And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot; … <a href="/2_kings/4-23.htm">2 Kings 4:23</a> And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.new moon.<a href="/malachi/1-13.htm">Malachi 1:13</a> Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.and the.<a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-10</a> Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy… <a href="/nehemiah/13-15.htm">Nehemiah 13:15-21</a> In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals… <a href="/isaiah/58-13.htm">Isaiah 58:13</a> If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:set forth.<a href="/leviticus/19-36.htm">Leviticus 19:36</a> Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.<a href="/deuteronomy/25-13.htm">Deuteronomy 25:13-16</a> Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small… <a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Proverbs 11:1</a> A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.falsifying the balances by deceit.<a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Hosea 12:7</a> He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Balances</a> <a href="/luke/13-21.htm">Bushel</a> <a href="/joel/2-24.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-14.htm">Dealing</a> <a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-14.htm">Ephah</a> <a href="/hosea/10-4.htm">Falsely</a> <a href="/amos/8-3.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/amos/5-25.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/amos/8-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/daniel/11-25.htm">Large</a> <a href="/amos/6-5.htm">Making</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-25.htm">Market</a> <a href="/joel/3-15.htm">Moon</a> <a href="/joel/3-18.htm">New</a> <a href="/amos/1-13.htm">Open</a> <a href="/hosea/2-11.htm">Sabbath</a> <a href="/amos/2-6.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/ezekiel/45-12.htm">Shekel</a> <a href="/amos/7-5.htm">Small</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-14.htm">Smaller</a> <a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Wheat</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/micah/6-11.htm">Balances</a> <a href="/matthew/5-15.htm">Bushel</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-15.htm">Dealing</a> <a href="/micah/1-14.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/micah/6-10.htm">Ephah</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-3.htm">Falsely</a> <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Large</a> <a href="/jonah/1-8.htm">Making</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-11.htm">Market</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-10.htm">Moon</a> <a href="/micah/6-15.htm">New</a> <a href="/micah/1-4.htm">Open</a> <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Sabbath</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/matthew/17-27.htm">Shekel</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-2.htm">Small</a> <a href="/matthew/13-32.htm">Smaller</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Wheat</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 8</div>1. <a href="/amos/8-1.htm">By a basket of summer fruit is shown the approach of Israel's end.</a> 4. <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Oppression is reproved.</a> 11. <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">A famine of the word of God threatened.</a> </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 New Moon was a significant time in the Hebrew calendar, marking the beginning of a new month and often associated with religious observance and rest (<a href="/numbers/28-11.htm">Numbers 28:11-15</a>). The question reflects a disregard for these sacred times, showing a focus on commerce over worship. This attitude is condemned as it reveals a heart more interested in profit than in honoring God. The impatience to resume business highlights a spiritual decline, where economic gain is prioritized over spiritual duties.When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? The Sabbath was instituted by God as a day of rest and worship (<a href="/exodus/20-8.htm">Exodus 20:8-11</a>). The eagerness to end the Sabbath to resume trading indicates a violation of the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. This reflects a broader societal issue where economic activities overshadow spiritual obligations. The Sabbath was meant to be a time of reflection and rest, but here it is seen as an obstacle to financial gain, showing a lack of reverence for God's laws.Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; The ephah was a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to about 22 liters. Reducing the ephah refers to giving less product than what was paid for, a form of cheating. Increasing the shekel, a unit of currency, implies charging more than what is fair. This practice of dishonest trade is condemned throughout Scripture (<a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Leviticus 19:35-36</a>; <a href="/proverbs/11.htm">Proverbs 11:1</a>). It reflects a moral corruption and exploitation of others for personal gain, contrary to the justice and righteousness God demands.let us cheat with dishonest scales. Dishonest scales were a common metaphor for deceit and injustice in trade (<a href="/proverbs/20-23.htm">Proverbs 20:23</a>; <a href="/micah/6-11.htm">Micah 6:11</a>). Accurate scales were essential for fair commerce, and their manipulation was a serious offense against God's standards of honesty and integrity. This phrase underscores the systemic corruption and moral decay present in society, where even basic transactions are tainted by greed. It serves as a warning against the pursuit of wealth at the expense of righteousness and justice, themes echoed by Jesus in His teachings on honesty and integrity (<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/amos.htm">Amos</a> A prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver a message of judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies often focus on social justice and the need for true worship. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The northern kingdom, which during Amos's time was experiencing economic prosperity but also moral and spiritual decay. The people were neglecting God's laws and exploiting the poor. 3. <a href="/topical/n/new_moon_and_sabbath.htm">New Moon and Sabbath</a> These were sacred times in Israel's religious calendar. The New Moon marked the beginning of the month, and the Sabbath was a weekly day of rest. Both were intended for worship and rest, not commerce. 4. <a href="/topical/d/dishonest_scales.htm">Dishonest Scales</a> A metaphor for economic injustice. Merchants were using deceitful practices to exploit buyers, which was against God's laws for fair trade. 5. <a href="/topical/e/ephah_and_shekel.htm">Ephah and Shekel</a> Units of measurement for grain and money, respectively. Reducing the ephah and enlarging the shekel refers to manipulating measurements to cheat customers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_true_worship.htm">The Importance of True Worship</a> Worship is not just about rituals but about aligning our lives with God's values, including justice and honesty. <a href="/topical/e/economic_integrity.htm">Economic Integrity</a> God cares about how we conduct our business. We are called to be honest and fair in all our dealings. <a href="/topical/s/social_justice.htm">Social Justice</a> The exploitation of the poor and vulnerable is a serious offense to God. We must advocate for and practice justice in our communities. <a href="/topical/s/sabbath_rest_and_priorities.htm">Sabbath Rest and Priorities</a> The Sabbath is a gift for rest and reflection, not an opportunity for profit. We should prioritize spiritual growth over material gain. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_change.htm">Repentance and Change</a> Recognizing our own tendencies toward greed or dishonesty is the first step toward repentance and transformation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 8</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_ancient_trade_accuracy.htm">Proverbs 20:10 condemns dishonest scales—what historical or archaeological evidence challenges or supports the accuracy of such transactions in ancient times? </a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_1_sam_20_5_with_ot_feasts.htm">How do we reconcile the timing of the New Moon feast in 1 Samuel 20:5 with other Old Testament passages referencing similar observances? </a> <a href="/q/key_themes_in_amos.htm">What are the key themes in the Book of Amos?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_stock_market.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on the stock market?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/amos/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) When . . . gone.--They desired that the festivals of the New Moon and Sabbath should be over, when they might not only return to their secular employments, but pursue their search for ill-gotten gains--a proof that these festivals were observed in the northern nation, even if they were disliked.Set forth wheat.--The original signifies the opening of the sacks, or granaries, where the wheat was stored. The greedy mercantile class is referred to. The ephah, which was a dry measure (= three English pecks), was "made small," so that a smaller quantity might be sold. The shekel was the weight against which the precious metal was weighed. If this were fraudulently augmented, more of the gold or silver than was due was demanded for the impoverished ephah.Falsifying the balances . . .--More accurately, falsifying the deceitful balances, so that the very symbol of justice became the implement of committing injustice. This is frequently condemned in the Law and Prophets (<a href="/context/leviticus/19-35.htm" title="You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in length, in weight, or in measure.">Leviticus 19:35-36</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/25-15.htm" title="But you shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shall you have: that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God gives you.">Deuteronomy 25:15</a>; <a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm" title="A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.">Proverbs 11:1</a>; <a href="/micah/6-11.htm" title="Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?">Micah 6:11</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - When? expresses impatience and desire, as in the hymn - "Thy joys when shall I see?" The new moon. The first day of the month was a holiday, on which all trade was suspended. It is not mentioned in Exodus, Leviticus, or Deuteronomy; but its observance is enjoined in <a href="/numbers/28-11.htm">Numbers 28:11</a>, and various notices of this occur in later Scriptures; e.g. <a href="/1_samuel/20-5.htm">1 Samuel 20:5</a>; <a href="/2_kings/4-23.htm">2 Kings 4:23</a>; <a href="/hosea/2-11.htm">Hosea 2:11</a>; <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16</a>. These greedy sinners kept the festivals, indeed, but they grudged the time given to them, and considered it as wasted. The sabbath. Compare the difficulties with which Nehemiah had to contend in upholding the sanctity of the sabbath (<a href="/nehemiah/10-31.htm">Nehemiah 10:31</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/13-15.htm">Nehemiah 13:15-22</a>). May set forth; literally, open; so Septuagint, καὶ ἀνοίξομεν θησαυρόν. The word expresses the opening of the granaries and storehouses. The ephah, by which corn was measured (see note on Micah 6:10). This they made small, and so gave lees than was paid for. The shekel. The weight by which money was weighed. This they made great, and thus gained too high a price for the quantity of corn. Coined money of determined value seems not to have been used before the return from Captivity, all payments of fixed amount previous to that period being made by weighing (comp. <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Genesis 23:16</a>; <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a>; <a href="/genesis/43-21.htm">Genesis 43:21</a>; <a href="/exodus/30-13.htm">Exodus 30:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Isaiah 46:6</a>). Falsifying the balances by deceit; better, as in the Revised Version, dealing falsely with balances of deceit. To increase their gains they falsified their scales or used fraudulent weights (see <a href="/leviticus/19-36.htm">Leviticus 19:36</a>). Thus they cheated the poor probably in three ways - by small measure, exorbitant price, and light weight. <a href="/commentaries/amos/8-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>asking, לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “When מָתַ֞י (mā·ṯay) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4970.htm">Strong's 4970: </a> Extent, when will the New Moon הַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ (ha·ḥō·ḏeš) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> The new moon, a month be over יַעֲבֹ֤ר (ya·‘ă·ḇōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on that we may sell וְנַשְׁבִּ֣ירָה (wə·naš·bî·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7666.htm">Strong's 7666: </a> To deal in grain grain? שֶּׁ֔בֶר (še·ḇer) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7668.htm">Strong's 7668: </a> Corn, grain When will the Sabbath [end], וְהַשַּׁבָּ֖ת (wə·haš·šab·bāṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7676.htm">Strong's 7676: </a> Intermission, the Sabbath that we may market וְנִפְתְּחָה־ (wə·nip̄·tə·ḥāh-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve wheat? בָּ֑ר (bār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1250.htm">Strong's 1250: </a> Grain, the open country Let us reduce לְהַקְטִ֤ין (lə·haq·ṭîn) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6994.htm">Strong's 6994: </a> To diminish, be, diminutive, of no account the ephah אֵיפָה֙ (’ê·p̄āh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_374.htm">Strong's 374: </a> Ephah -- an ephah (a measure of grain) and increase וּלְהַגְדִּ֣יל (ū·lə·haḡ·dîl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> To grow up, become great the shekel; שֶׁ֔קֶל (še·qel) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8255.htm">Strong's 8255: </a> A weight, a commercial standard let us cheat וּלְעַוֵּ֖ת (ū·lə·‘aw·wêṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5791.htm">Strong's 5791: </a> To be bent or crooked with dishonest מִרְמָֽה׃ (mir·māh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4820.htm">Strong's 4820: </a> Deceit, treachery scales. מֹאזְנֵ֥י (mō·zə·nê) Noun - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3976.htm">Strong's 3976: </a> A pair of scales <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/amos/8-5.htm">Amos 8:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/amos/8-5.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 8:5 Saying 'When will the new moon be (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/8-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 8:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 8:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/8-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 8:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 8:6" /></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>