As with many common verbs, the meaning of “to say” in the Bible is highly dependent on context. Who is speaking? Who is hearing? What is it about? Is it a command, a message, an apology, instruction? All these things enter into the meaning of “say.” In general, though, “saying” has to do with sharing truth at various levels -- from the most exalted power people can have to perceive the Lord's desires directly to the most basic of orders issued to people at their lowest.

204. Internal Meaning of Amos, Chapter 4

1-3 Those who pervert the doctrine of the church: they will also fall into falsities in outermost things. (2)

4-6 They worship in externals according to the statutes, which will be similar [to genuine worship], but only in outermost things. (2)

7-8 Some things true will remain, when the rest are false, in consequence of which truths will have no power. (2)

9 Afterward all things of the church are falsified, (3, 11)

10-11 and finally they are profaned by sensual knowledges [scientifica], the profanation extending to all things of the church, so that there is hardly anything left. (3)

12-13 Exhortation to turn themselves to the Lord. (3)