Amos 1 11

Amos 1:11 kjv

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

Amos 1:11 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, And cast off all pity; His anger tore perpetually, And he kept his wrath forever.

Amos 1:11 niv

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,

Amos 1:11 esv

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.

Amos 1:11 nlt

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Edom have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords,
showing them no mercy.
In their rage, they slashed them continually
and were unrelenting in their anger.

Amos 1 verses

Amos 1 11 Meaning

Amos 1:11 proclaims God's unyielding judgment against Edom for their relentless and cruel animosity towards their Israelite brethren. Their sin is depicted as a prolonged, violent pursuit and utter lack of compassion, fueled by an insatiable and perpetual anger that tore at their victims and preserved a deep-seated wrath. God declares that this specific and egregious betrayal of kinship will not go unpunished.

Amos 1 11 Context

Amos 1:11 is part of a series of oracles of judgment delivered by the prophet Amos against the nations surrounding Israel and Judah (Amos 1:3-2:5), followed by pronouncements against Judah and Israel themselves. This introductory section establishes God's universal sovereignty and His righteous indignation against various sins committed by gentile nations, even those outside the Mosaic covenant, demonstrating His moral governance over all humanity. Each nation is accused of specific, severe transgressions, highlighted by the repetitive phrase "For three transgressions... and for four, I will not revoke its punishment," signaling a complete and overflowing measure of sin leading to inevitable divine retribution. For Edom, the unique focus is on their persistent and vicious cruelty towards their "brother" Israel, highlighting a profound breach of natural kinship and covenant loyalty. The historical backdrop is centuries of animosity between the descendants of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel), often manifesting in warfare, lack of aid during times of distress, and even active participation in Israel's calamities, such as the destruction of Jerusalem.

Amos 1 11 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, kōh ’āmar YHWH): A prophetic formula signaling an authoritative, divine pronouncement. It emphasizes the absolute authority and immutability of the judgment that follows.
• For three transgressions... and for four (עַל שְׁלֹשָׁה פִּשְׁעֵי ... וְעַל אַרְבָּעָה, ‘al shəlōšāh piš‘ē... wə‘al ’arba‘āh): A numerical proverb common in wisdom literature. It does not mean exactly seven sins, but rather "for multiple, numerous, and overflowing transgressions"—a complete measure of sin beyond forbearance, indicating God's patience has run out.
• Edom (אֱדוֹם, ’Edōm): Descendants of Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother. Their name (meaning "red") is associated with Esau's red complexion at birth and the red lentil stew for which he sold his birthright. The primary significance here is their fraternal relationship to Israel, which intensifies the heinousness of their actions.
• I will not revoke its punishment (לֹא אֲשִׁיבֶנּוּ, lō’ ’ašîvennû): Literally, "I will not turn it back," "I will not remit it," or "I will not retract it." It signifies that the divine judgment is final and irrevocable, underscoring the severity and unforgivable nature of Edom's specific sins.
• Because he pursued his brother with the sword (עַל רָדְפוֹ בַחֶרֶב אָחִיו, ‘al rādəfō vaḥerev ’āḥīw):
  • pursued (רָדְפוֹ, rādaf): To chase, hunt down, follow eagerly. Implies active, relentless, and aggressive persecution, not passive hostility.
  • his brother (אָחִיו, ’āḥīw): Explicitly states the familial bond, making the offense a grievous violation of kinship and solidarity, exacerbating the severity of the act.
  • with the sword (בַחֶרֶב, vaḥerev): Signifies violent means, warfare, and killing. This pursuit was not merely economic or political competition, but a deadly, aggressive military action or a murderous intent against their kin.
• And cast off all pity (וְשִׁחֵת רַחֲמָיו, wəšiḥēth raḥămāw):
  • cast off (וְשִׁחֵת, shiḥet): From root shāḥat (שָׁחַת), meaning to corrupt, destroy, spoil, ruin. Edom "corrupted" or "destroyed" his compassions. This implies not just a lack, but an active rejection and perversion of natural human empathy.
  • pity / compassions (רַחֲמָיו, raḥămāw): Plural of raḥamim (רַחֲמִים), often denoting deep, visceral, maternal affection and mercy, rooted in the Hebrew word for "womb" (reḥem). The complete absence and destruction of this most basic human feeling is a profound indictment of their character.
• And his anger tore perpetually (וַיִּטְרֹף לָנֶצַח אַפּוֹ, wayyiṭrōf lāneṣaḥ ’appō):
  • anger (אַפּוֹ, ’appō): Lit. "his nose" or "nostrils," as breath through the nose is a physical manifestation of anger. Here it means deep, intense wrath.
  • tore (וַיִּטְרֹף, ṭāraf): Implies a violent, predatory action, like a wild beast tearing apart its prey. This describes the aggressive, consuming nature of Edom's wrath.
  • perpetually (לָנֶצַח, lāneṣaḥ): Forever, eternally, constantly. Signifies that their anger was not a momentary outburst but a chronic, unremitting, and enduring state.
• And he kept his wrath forever (וְאֶבְרָתוֹ שָׁמְרָה נֶצַח, wə’eḇrātō šāmərāh neṣaḥ):
  • wrath (אֶבְרָתוֹ, ’eḇrāh): Fierce indignation, violent rage. Stronger than ’ap (anger), conveying more destructive fury.
  • kept (שָׁמְרָה, šāmar): To guard, preserve, maintain, hold onto. This indicates an active choice to nurture and sustain their fury rather than letting it subside.
  • forever (נֶצַח, neṣaḥ): Similar to the previous "perpetually," emphasizing the everlasting and unceasing nature of their grudge.

• Words-Group analysis:
  • "Pursued his brother with the sword": This phrase captures the physical, violent aspect of Edom's sin. It refers to specific acts of aggression and violence directed at a family member, making it particularly heinous in a society that valued kinship. This likely points to incidents of exploitation, betrayal, or military conflict where Edom acted maliciously against Israel (e.g., denying passage, participating in attacks, preventing fugitives from escaping).
  • "Cast off all pity": This moves beyond physical action to describe the spiritual and emotional state. It portrays a deep moral corruption, a hardened heart completely devoid of mercy, compassion, or the natural affection expected towards a "brother." It's not just apathy, but an active suppression of empathy.
  • "His anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever": These two phrases emphasize the duration and intensity of Edom's malevolence. They signify an unceasing, almost demonic, hatred that was actively maintained and cherished over generations. This reveals the core character flaw: a consuming, enduring, and unforgiving malice, rather than transient political grievances. It reflects an ingrained pattern of evil, an "everlasting enmity" (Ezek 35:5).

Amos 1 11 Bonus section

• "For three transgressions... and for four": This pattern signifies a completed or overfilled measure of sin, making God's intervention not arbitrary but a just response to abundant wickedness. It's a way of saying "for more than enough" or "for countless transgressions that exceed limits."
• Significance of "brother": The repeated emphasis on "his brother" in the context of violent persecution highlights the extraordinary severity of Edom's sin. This betrayal of a kinship bond was seen as particularly egregious in ancient Near Eastern culture, violating natural law and deeply established societal norms.
• Nature of divine punishment: God's declaration, "I will not revoke its punishment," stresses the irrevocability and certainty of divine justice for sins of this nature. It signals that this specific pattern of sustained cruelty has passed the point of no return for Edom, necessitating complete recompense.
• Contrast with Divine Nature: Edom's lack of "pity" and "mercy" (raḥamim) stands in stark contrast to God's own attribute of "raḥamim" as depicted throughout Scripture (e.g., Exod 34:6; Ps 103:8). The nation's profound spiritual depravity is evident in their utter antithesis to the very nature of God's compassion.

Amos 1 11 Commentary

Amos 1:11 stands as a powerful indictment of Edom, not primarily for idolatry or general social injustice, but for a profound and enduring moral failure: persistent, violent hatred toward their brother, Israel. This deep-seated animosity, born from Esau's original hatred of Jacob, manifested in relentless persecution, a shocking absence of basic compassion, and a vengeful fury maintained for generations. God's judgment here underscores that He condemns not only direct offenses against Himself or His covenant people but also grievous breaches of fundamental human relationships, particularly within families or between kin-nations. Edom's sin was an unbrotherly hatred that transcended temporary conflict to become a defining characteristic—a consuming wrath nurtured perpetually. This perpetual malice is singled out as being so repugnant that divine judgment is deemed utterly irreversible, showcasing God's righteous intolerance for relentless cruelty and the corrosive effects of unrepentant, family-rooted bitterness. It highlights that the lack of mercy, especially towards one's kin, is a severe offense in the eyes of a compassionate God.