601. Worthlessness

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible By: James M. Freeman

• 1 min. read • grade level: 8

Amos 2:6⁶Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; (Amos 2:6). They sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes.

Neal may be rendered either “shoe” or “sandal.” From the form of expression here used the meanest, cheapest kind of sandal is evidently meant the poor debtor was sold into slavery because he could not pay for so small a matter as a pair of sandals. A similar mode of speech is noticed in India at the present day. “When a person wishes to insult another in reference to the price of any article he says, ‘I will give you my sandals for it.’ ‘That fellow is not worth the value of my sandals.’” (Roberts, Oriental illustrations, p. 504).

See further note on Matthew 3:11¹¹I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11) (#633); and for a description of sandals, see note on Acts 12:8⁸And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. (Acts 12:8) (#832).

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