“Yet I destroyed
The Amorites
Before them.
Their height was
Like the height of cedar trees.
They were
As strong
As the oak trees.
I destroyed
His fruit above.
I destroyed
His roots beneath.
I brought you up
Out of the land of Egypt.
I led you forty years
In the wilderness.
Thus,
You possess
The land of the Amorites’”
The literary tone changed, as Yahweh, via Amos, reminded the people of Israel on how he had destroyed the Amorites, the people who lived in the Promise Land before the Israelites arrived. These Amorites or Canaanites were very tall like cedar trees and very strong like oak trees. However, Yahweh completely destroyed them including the fruit of their trees above ground as well as the roots of their trees beneath ground, a complete annihilation. After all, he had brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He had protected them for 40 years, while they were in the wilderness or desert. Finally, Yahweh let the Israelites possess the land of the Amorites.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 