Amos 6:13

6:13 You are happy because you conquered Lo-Debar. ¹ 

You say, “Did we not conquer Karnaim ²  by our own power?”

Amos 7:5

7:5 I said, “Sovereign Lord, stop!

How can Jacob survive? ³ 

He is too weak!” ⁴ 

[6:13]  ¹ tn Heb “those who rejoice over Lo-Debar.”

[6:13]  sn Lo-Debar was located across the Jordan River in Gilead, which the Israelite army had conquered. However, there is stinging irony here, for in Hebrew the name Lo-Debar means “nothing.” In reality Israel was happy over nothing of lasting consequence.

[6:13]  ² sn Karnaim was also located across the Jordan River. The name in Hebrew means “double horned.” Since an animal’s horn was a symbol of strength (see Deut 33:17), the Israelites boasted in this victory over a town whose very name symbolized military power.

[7:5]  ³ tn Heb “stand.”

[7:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “small.”