This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom. This is what the LORD saysThis phrase introduces a divine oracle, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew term for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, highlighting His covenant relationship with Israel. This introduction sets the tone for a message that is not merely a human opinion but a divine decree, underscoring the seriousness and certainty of the forthcoming judgment. For three transgressions of Gaza, even for four
The phrase "for three transgressions, even for four" is a Hebrew idiom used to express the completeness and fullness of sin. It suggests that the sins of Gaza have reached their limit, and divine patience has been exhausted. Gaza, one of the five Philistine cities, represents the Philistine nation known for its hostility towards Israel. Historically, the Philistines were a constant threat, and their transgressions were numerous and grievous. I will not revoke My wrath
This declaration indicates the irrevocable nature of God's judgment once His patience has been surpassed. The Hebrew root for "revoke" implies a turning back or relenting, which God declares He will not do. This highlights the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine justice. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent rebellion against God. because they exiled a whole population
The specific sin of Gaza mentioned here is the forced exile of entire communities. This act of aggression and inhumanity reflects a grave violation of justice and compassion. Historically, such actions were common in ancient warfare, where entire populations were uprooted and sold into slavery. This underscores the moral depravity of Gaza's actions and the reason for divine retribution. delivering them up to Edom
Edom, a nation descended from Esau, often acted as an adversary to Israel. By delivering captives to Edom, Gaza not only engaged in human trafficking but also collaborated with a nation that was historically hostile to God's people. This act of betrayal and cruelty further compounds their guilt. The historical animosity between Edom and Israel adds a layer of treachery to Gaza's actions, justifying the severity of the judgment pronounced by God. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from Tekoa, called by God to deliver messages of judgment to Israel and surrounding nations. 2. GazaA prominent city of the Philistines, known for its strategic location and involvement in trade and warfare. 3. EdomA nation descended from Esau, often in conflict with Israel, and here implicated in receiving exiles from Gaza. 4. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who speaks through Amos to pronounce judgment. 5. Exile of a Whole PopulationRefers to the act of capturing and deporting entire communities, a grave injustice in the eyes of God. Teaching Points God's Justice is ComprehensiveThe phrase "for three transgressions, even for four" indicates a fullness of sin that demands divine response. God is patient, but His justice is thorough and inevitable. The Sin of Human TraffickingThe specific sin of Gaza was the exile and selling of entire populations. This highlights God's abhorrence of human trafficking and exploitation, a relevant issue today. Accountability of NationsGod holds nations accountable for their actions, especially those involving injustice and oppression. This serves as a reminder for modern nations to pursue justice and righteousness. The Role of ProphetsAmos serves as a mouthpiece for God, demonstrating the importance of speaking truth to power and calling out sin, even when it is uncomfortable or dangerous. Hope in JudgmentWhile the message is one of judgment, it also implies hope for those who repent and turn to God. God's ultimate desire is for restoration and righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the repeated phrase "for three transgressions, even for four" suggest about God's view of sin and justice? 2. How does the judgment against Gaza relate to modern issues of human trafficking and exploitation? 3. In what ways can we, as individuals and communities, ensure we are not complicit in injustices similar to those of Gaza? 4. How does understanding the historical context of Edom's relationship with Israel enhance our interpretation of this passage? 5. What role do prophets like Amos play in today's world, and how can we apply their messages to contemporary issues of justice and righteousness? Connections to Other Scriptures Joel 3:4-8This passage also speaks against the Philistines for their role in the slave trade, highlighting God's concern for justice and His intention to repay their deeds. Obadiah 1:10-14Describes Edom's betrayal of Israel, providing context for why Edom is mentioned in Amos 1:6. Isaiah 14:29-31A prophecy against Philistia, including Gaza, emphasizing God's judgment on nations that oppose His people. Zechariah 9:5-7Foretells the downfall of Philistine cities, including Gaza, and the eventual redemption of a remnant. | Great Sufferings Following Great Sins | D. Thomas | Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6 | | The Enormity of the Sin of Persecution | D. Thomas | Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6 | | The Judgment on Philistia | J.R. Thomson | Amos 1:6-8 |
People Amos, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Hazael, Jehoash, Jeroboam, Joash, Teman, UzziahPlaces Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beth-eden, Bozrah, Carmel, Damascus, Edom, Ekron, Gaza, Gilead, Jerusalem, Kir, Rabbah, Syria, Tekoa, Teman, Tyre, Valley of Aven, ZionTopics Captive, Captivity, Carried, Changed, Communities, Community, Complete, Crimes, Deliver, Deported, Edom, Entire, Exile, Fate, Gaza, Gazah, Population, Prisoners, Punishment, Removing, Reverse, Revoke, Says, Sentence, Sins, Sold, Thereof, Thus, Transgressions, Turn, Wrath, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 1:6 1656 numbers, combinations
7530 foreigners
7773 prophets, role
8310 morality, and creation
8791 oppression, nature of
8795 persecution, nature of Amos 1:3-8 5295 destruction Amos 1:6-7 5246 captivity Amos 1:6-8 1265 hand of God Library The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Whether, in Prophetic Revelation, New Species of Things are Impressed on the Prophet's Mind, or Merely a New Light?
Objection 1: It would seem that in prophetic revelation no new species of things are impressed on the prophet's mind, but only a new light. For a gloss of Jerome on Amos 1:2 says that "prophets draw comparisons from things with which they are conversant." But if prophetic vision were effected by means of species newly impressed, the prophet's previous experience of things would be inoperative. Therefore no new species are impressed on the prophet's soul, but only the prophetic light. Objection 2: …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether a Natural Disposition is Requisite for Prophecy?
Objection 1: It would seem that a natural disposition is requisite for prophecy. For prophecy is received by the prophet according to the disposition of the recipient, since a gloss of Jerome on Amos 1:2, "The Lord will roar from Sion," says: "Anyone who wishes to make a comparison naturally turns to those things of which he has experience, and among which his life is spent. For example, sailors compare their enemies to the winds, and their losses to a shipwreck. In like manner Amos, who was a shepherd, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Links Amos 1:6 NIVAmos 1:6 NLTAmos 1:6 ESVAmos 1:6 NASBAmos 1:6 KJV
Amos 1:6 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
