translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: AMO

label: NET study note

text: The expression cows of Bashan is used by the prophet to address the wealthy women of Samaria, who demand that their husbands satisfy their cravings. The derogatory language perhaps suggests that they, like the livestock of Bashan, were well fed, ironically in preparation for the coming slaughter. This phrase is sometimes cited to critique the book’s view of women.


text: Some commentators relate this scene to the description of the marzeah feast of 6:3-6 , in which drinking played a prominent part (see the note at 6:6 ).


text: Bethel and Gilgal were important formal worship centers because of their importance in Israel’s history. Here the Lord ironically urges the people to visit these places so they can increase their sin against him. Their formal worship, because it was not accompanied by social justice, only made them more guilty in God’s sight by adding hypocrisy to their list of sins. Obviously, theirs was a twisted view of the Lord. They worshiped a god of their own creation in order to satisfy their religious impulses (see 4:5 : “For you love to do this”). Note that none of the rituals listed in 4:4-5 have to do with sin. map For location see Map4-G4 ; Map5-C1 ; Map6-E3 ; Map7-D1 ; Map8-G3 .


text: See the note on Bethel earlier in this verse.


text: For the background of the thank offering of bread made with yeast , see Lev 7:13 .


text: Rain…three months before the harvest refers to the rains of late March-early April.