Isa 29:21, Amo 2:7 | JFB | e4.org | 21. Rather, "Who make a man guilty in his cause " [GESENIUS ], that is, unjustly condemn him. "A man" is in the Hebrew a poor man, upon whom such unjust condemnations might be practiced with more impunity than on the rich; compare , "the meek . . . the poor." him that reproveth —rather, "pleadeth"; one who has a suit at issue. gate —the place of concourse in a city, where courts of justice were held ( ). just —one who has a just cause; or, Jesus Christ, "the Just One" [HORSLEY ]. for a thing of naught —rather, "through falsehood," "by a decision that is null in justice" [BARNES ]. Compare as to Christ, .

‏ Isaiah 29:21

21. Rather, "Who make a man guilty in his cause" [GESENIUS], that is, unjustly condemn him. "A man" is in the Hebrew a poor man, upon whom such unjust condemnations might be practiced with more impunity than on the rich; compare Isa 29:19, "the meek . . . the poor."

him that reproveth—rather, "pleadeth"; one who has a suit at issue.

gate—the place of concourse in a city, where courts of justice were held (Ru 4:11; Pr 31:23; Am 5:10, 12).

just—one who has a just cause; or, Jesus Christ, "the Just One" [HORSLEY].

for a thing of naught—rather, "through falsehood," "by a decision that is null in justice" [BARNES]. Compare as to Christ, Pr 28:21; Mt 26:15; Ac 3:13, 14; 8:33.

‏ Amos 2:7

7. pant after . . . dust of . . . earth on . . . head of . . . poor—that is, eagerly thirst for this object, by their oppression to prostrate the poor so as to cast the dust on their heads in mourning on the earth (compare 2Sa 1:2; Job 2:12; Eze 27:30).

turn aside . . . way of . . . meek—pervert their cause (Am 5:12; Job 24:4 [GROTIUS]; Isa 10:2).

a man and his father—a crime "not so much as named among the Gentiles" (1Co 5:1). When God's people sin in the face of light, they often fall lower than even those who know not God.

go in unto the same maid—from Am 2:8 it seems likely "the damsel" meant is one of the prostitutes attached to the idol Astarte's temple: prostitution being part of her filthy worship.

to profane my . . . name—Israel in such abominations, as it were, designedly seeks to insult God.