Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their lords, "Bring, and let us drink."
"Cows of Bashan ..." Hammershaimb thought that such an expression could have been used in a complimentary fashion, saying that, "Oriental writers use the comparison with thoroughbred cows as a compliment to the women's beauty and opulence."[6]  We dare not accept this view, however, as that of the prophet.  If he had been giving a compliment, it seems incredible that he would have chosen a sleek fat beast as an appropriate comparison.