(5) And their king shall go into exile, he and his princes together/Their king and his officers will go into exile. Their king is, of course, the king of the Ammonites. Because this word is so far from the word to which it refers, in some languages it would be better to state the relationship: “the king of (the people of) Ammon,” or even “the king of Rabbah.”

Officers translates a very general Hebrew term which includes court officials, counsellors, military and other authorities. In many languages a term such as “notables” or “big people” would be the right equivalent.

Exile. See Amos 1.6.

(6) Says the LORD. See Amos 1.5.

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan & Smalley, William A. A Handbook on Amos. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1979. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .