Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures has served as a standard reference for more than a century. The subtitle “Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical” aptly describes the three-pronged approach to the biblical text. This translated version of the German text is often considered by many to be superior to the original.
“There is a fuller detail of the prevailing sins, oppression of the poor, and lascivious luxury, together with a gross contempt for God’s favors toward them as his people (6–12); and a fuller announcement of punishment, namely, complete subjugation under an invading foe (13–16).” (Page 5)
“Their present offensive worship was in reality only a continuation of the idolatry practiced in the wilderness” (Page 36)
“Under the name of this prophet we have a prophetic writing in nine chapters, containing chiefly threatenings against the kingdom of Israel, to which, on account of its prevailing grievous sins, it announces a grievous infliction, even overthrow by a hostile nation. Still the book is not limited to threatenings against Israel, but at least begins with threats upon the surrounding heathen, and then, like a genuine prophetic book, concludes with the promise of a new deliverance for Israel and a splendid prosperity under the house of David.” (Page 5)
“Assyrians, indeed, attracted attention, but there was no probability that they would endanger the kingdom” (Page 4)
“We may therefore regard Amos as an owner of flocks, but by no means as a wealthy sheep-owner” (Pages 2–3)