| Copyright 2005-2008 Dr. Jad Khalaf, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved |
| "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15 |
| WORD STUDY ON COWS OF BASHAN BY DR. JAD JAMAL KHALAF This paper will deal with a word study on the “cows/kine of Bashan” in the book of Amos. In verse one of chapter four, this word first appears. Cows of Bashan in Hebrew is pronounced prwt (tvrP)hbsn (NWBh). The Hebrew word hrp can mean heifer and/or cow. In addition, the Hebrew word NWB can mean soft and smooth ground of Bashan. When this word is used in Amos 4:1, the figurative of luxurious women is what is meant in this particular verse. To begin with, the word hrp is going to be dealt with in some detail. This word functions as a noun. With this in mind, the gender is feminine and the number is plural. This is quite interesting. Amos uses the masculine gender in other words throughout chapter four. Some scholars have said that this feminine gender is referring to men who are judges and of noble status in the society. In the Targum, the masculine gender is used in the entire translation. There are others who believe that verses one through three of chapter four are resume. This term is to suggest that the noble women are being addressed in this instance. There is no other place in the entire Old Testament where women are referred to as cows. The kine of Bashan feed in Samaria’s mountains and not in the lavish and rich pastures located east of Jordan. So there is no doubt that the women of Samaria are the ones being addressed. Amos could be using this illustration to paint a picture of just how lazy the women are. This type of description could be used because of the experience Amos had in the rural part of the country. The men were getting pounded by Amos. This meant that probably the women were sitting back and letting the men take all of the blame for what was going on. What a surprise when Amos turns his attention and words to the women. This type of accusation was very dramatic. The luxuries and type of living was sickening to God’s stomach. The needy and poor were being treated worse than dogs. Hunger as well as other types of necessities were being felt by the low people of the land. Amos presents his case of accusation against the ladies of Samaria. Verse one presents the accusation. As already mentioned, there is some type of uncertainty among scholars as to who is being addressed here. The shift from masculine to feminine and back to masculine is very unique to the tradition of writing. However, Isaiah’s attack (Isa. 3:16-4:1) on the women in Jerusalem goes hand in hand with Amos’ attack. The background for this is probably the market place in the capital city. The women are the wives of the filthy, rich cows of Bashan. In the Song of Songs, the word cow is used as a compliment. So, this means that no offense was taken by the women when they were called this. The sophisticated and pampered women were top quality females who were living life to its fullest. Amos’ stern message was not only for the men who were in control of what was going on but now the women were blamed just as much. God instructed Amos to show how the poor were being exploited in a negative way. Now the women were not necessarily on the forefront of what was taken place. On the other hand, the women were indirect instigators who were ruling from behind the scenes. In order for their lifestyle to continue on, the poor had to be oppressed. The courts had become corrupted and the way of doing business had become illegal in the eyes of Yahweh the Lord. Enough was enough. The truth must be confronted. Selfishness could be seen. For the women cared only for their own life and not for anyone else. The high-born women wanted to make sure that they produced the best of the best and not settle for less. They would trample over anyone who would get in their way. The pleasures of these women drove their husbands to beat up the poor mentally, physically, and emotionally. In spite of all of this, the rich women never once thought about what their poor sisters had to go through. While the rich women were getting richer, the poor women were becoming poorer and poorer on a daily basis. This type of attack is clearly one of the most bitter attacks by any prophet. In essence, Amos was singling out a certain part of Israel’s society. The reason that Amos used cows to describe these women was because the women were acting like animals. Food and pleasure were the two items that made up the reason why the women lived. Just like an animal has an appetite that has to be satisfied at any cost, the women had the same type of appetite. The condemnation by Amos included the reality that one day these cows of Bashan would not be able to enjoy the fine and wealthy lifestyle. In a graphic illustration, Amos says that these women would be forced to flee their city because of the destruction that would soon take place. These harsh words and illustrations came from God. The messenger chosen was Amos. However, the people could care less. Bashan, NWB, was located in the Transjordan. Its notoriety came from its lavish and rich pastures and forests. There was nothing second class about this area. When Bashan was mentioned, people automatically associated top quality land with this word. In addition, the cows that came from this area were considered top-notch cows. This can be seen in Deut. 32:14, Ps. 22: 12, and Ezek. 39:18. In addition to all of this, Bashan had a beautiful forests full of oak trees. The land was so fertile that only the best of the best would grow. In conclusion, Amos had to trust God. Amos’ messages were not sugar-coated or were they pleasing to the ears. The people wanted to hear what they wanted to hear. However, this would not be the case. Amos was a man of God who faithfully and boldly did as commanded of him by God. Much can be learned from this. For today, God is looking for men who will stand up for Him and take His message to a people who could care less. |
| Dr. Jad Khalaf |