The women of Samaria were described by Amos as

Answer Details

In Amos 4:1, the prophet addresses the wealthy women of Samaria with a striking metaphor: "Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, 'Bring, that we may drink!'"

Bashan was a fertile region east of the Jordan River, famous for its rich pastures and well-fed cattle (Deuteronomy 32:14, Psalm 22:12). By calling the women of Samaria "cows of Bashan," Amos was drawing a parallel between the pampered, overfed cattle of Bashan and the luxury-loving women of the capital city who lived in comfort at the expense of the poor.

The condemnation was not merely about their wealth but about how they obtained and maintained it. They oppressed the poor and crushed the needy, and they pressured their husbands to provide more for their indulgent lifestyle. Amos warned that God would judge them for this social injustice, comparing their eventual punishment to being dragged away with hooks (Amos 4:2).

Amos did not call them idol worshippers, pagans, or camels. The specific and memorable designation was "cows of Bashan."