Bible Dictionary
CHANT
Chant means to sing or improvise songs. In Amos 6:5 the term refers to singing idle songs, though the underlying Hebrew meaning is uncertain.
Definition
Chant means to sing, especially to improvise or sing without care or preparation. The underlying Hebrew word is uncertain, and the Revised Version renders the term as singing idle songs.
Biblical Usage
The word occurs in Amos 6:5, where it describes the idle singing of those enjoying themselves while judgment and distress were near.
Historical Background
The proposed sense is related to an Arabic root meaning to anticipate and may suggest improvised singing.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(paraT): Occurs only once in the King James Version in Am 6:5, and the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. ParaT corresponds to an Arabic root meaning to anticipate. It may therefore signify to improvise, to sing without care or preparation. the Revised Version (British and American) "to sing idle songs" suits the context. See Driver, Joe and Amos.</p>