Definition: Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed [that is] full of sheaves.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Amos 2:13. It’s a really powerful and poignant image! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Amos is speaking to a community facing severe hardship – likely poverty, injustice, and broken promises. He’s using a metaphor to describe how they are being treated unfairly. He’s saying he’s pressed under their weight, just like a cart full of sheaves (grain) would be pressed down. Let's unpack it: “Behold” : This is a dramatic opening – it’s drawing attention to what’s happening. “I am pressed…” : This means Amos is feeling overwhelmed, burdened, and perhaps experiencing hardship. He’s not strong or capable on his own. “…under you” : He's being burdened by the people – their actions, their choices, their failures, their disrespect towards God. It’s like a heavy weight pressing down. “as a cart is pressed…” : This is the key image. A cart (or wagon) carries sheaves of grain. The image of a cart being pressed highlights the volume of something – in this case, the suffering and injustice. It suggests that there's a huge amount of negativity being piled on him. “[that is] full of sheaves” : This means the people are overflowing with problems - they are producing too much, creating too much hardship. Overall Meaning: Amos is expressing profound frustration and despair because he feels like he’s unable to effectively help or correct the situation. He's saying that their actions are crushing him under a tremendous amount of weight – both literally (the sheaves) and figuratively (the burden of suffering). Why is this important? This image is a stark warning about the consequences of societal problems. It’s not just about Amos himself; it's about the entire community he’s addressing. It suggests that when people are burdened by injustice, they become difficult to help and can even be destructive themselves. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail?