In this chapter a fourth vision is delivered, the vision of a "basket of summer fruit"; signifying the destruction of the ten tribes, for which they were ripe, and which would quickly come upon them, Am 8:1; the rich are reproved for their oppression of the poor, their covetousness and earthly mindedness, Am 8:4; for which they are threatened with entire ruin, sudden calamities, and very mournful times, instead of light, joy, and gladness, Am 8:7; and particularly with a famine of hearing the word of God, Am 8:11; the consequence of which would be, a fainting of the young men and virgins for thirst, and the utter and irrecoverable ruin of all idolaters, Am 8:13.
Ver. 1. Thus hath the Lord God showed unto me,.... Another vision, which is the fourth, and after the following manner:and, behold, a basket of summer fruit; not of the first ripe fruit, but of such as were gathered at the close of the summer, when autumn began.
So the Targum,"the last of the summer fruit;''such as were fully ripe, and would not keep till winter; or, if kept, would rot; but must be eaten directly, as some sort of apples, grapes, &c.