Amos 1 13

Amos 1:13 kjv

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:

Amos 1:13 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, That they might enlarge their territory.

Amos 1:13 niv

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not relent. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders,

Amos 1:13 esv

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.

Amos 1:13 nlt

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Ammon have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
When they attacked Gilead to extend their borders,
they ripped open pregnant women with their swords.

Amos 1 verses

Amos 1 13 Meaning

Amos 1:13 declares God's immutable judgment upon the Ammonites for their egregious act of ripping open pregnant women in Gilead. This specific atrocity, driven by their ambition to expand territory, exceeded a divine threshold of moral transgression, making their punishment irreversible. The verse underscores God's sovereignty as a moral arbiter over all nations, not just Israel, holding them accountable to fundamental human decency and the sanctity of life.

Amos 1 13 Context

Amos 1:13 is part of a series of "oracles against the nations" (Amos 1:3-2:16), which demonstrate God's universal sovereignty and justice beyond the borders of Israel. These pronouncements systematically condemn the surrounding peoples—Damascus, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab—for their specific and severe transgressions against basic human morality and justice, particularly cruelties inflicted in warfare or against vulnerable populations. This introduction prepares the audience for God's eventual, equally certain, judgment on Judah and Israel, whose sins, though of a different nature (covenant unfaithfulness and injustice), are equally damnable in God's eyes.

Historically, the Ammonites were a Semitic people inhabiting the land east of the Jordan River, frequently in conflict with Israel over territory, particularly Gilead. They were descendants of Ben-Ammi, son of Lot (Gen 19:38), making them distant relatives of the Israelites but often bitter enemies. The act of ripping open pregnant women was a barbaric ancient warfare practice aimed at depopulating conquered areas and eliminating any future claim or lineage from the inhabitants. This atrocity in Gilead was particularly offensive as Gilead was often Israelite territory or coveted by them, symbolizing not just a general crime against humanity but a targeted act of extreme violence, driven by land hunger and ethnic cleansing tactics.

Amos 1 13 Word analysis

• "Thus says the Lord": Koh 'āmar YHWH. A formulaic divine declaration, asserting absolute authority and infallibility of the pronouncement. It signifies that the following words are not human conjecture but direct revelation from God, ensuring the certainty and justness of the coming judgment.
• "For three transgressions... and for four": 'al shilshah pishʿei... wᵉʿal 'arbaʿah. This numerical progression is a rhetorical device indicating completeness or overflowing abundance of sin. It doesn't mean exactly three sins followed by a fourth, but rather "for many sins, and for a multitude more," implying that a threshold has been crossed, and divine patience is exhausted. It signals the culmination of unrepentant sin that tips the balance toward irreversible judgment.
• "of the people of Ammon": bᵉnê ʻAmmôn. Refers to the descendants of Ammon, highlighting them as a distinct ethno-political entity. Historically, Ammonites were often antagonistic towards Israel (e.g., Judg 10; 1 Sam 11; Jer 49).
• "I will not revoke the punishment": lōʼ 'ăshīvenū. This phrase signifies that God's decision is final and unalterable. The judgment is irrevocably sealed, meaning no repentance or plea will avert the decreed calamity. The intensity of their sin necessitates an unyielding response from God.
• "because they have ripped open": ʿal-biqqaʻām. The verb bāqaʻ denotes a violent tearing, splitting, or bursting open. This is a brutal and graphic act, emphasizing the extreme nature of the cruelty committed. It signifies an intentional and merciless act of violence.
• "pregnant women": hārôth. Specifically targets the most vulnerable: women carrying new life. This act goes beyond conventional warfare, demonstrating a profound dehumanization and utter disregard for future generations, life itself, and common humanity. It's an assault on fertility and the very continuance of a people.
• "in Gilead": ḇa-gilʿād. Refers to the transjordanian region often disputed between Israel and Ammon. The specificity of the location underlines a deliberate act of terror and territorial conquest against a particular population, implying a strategic motive for the brutality beyond simple plunder.
• "in order to enlarge their territory": lᵉmaʿan harchīv gᵉvulām. This clarifies the horrific motive: territorial expansion. The act of tearing open pregnant women was not just wanton cruelty but a calculated measure of ethnic cleansing and depopulation, ensuring no future inhabitants from Gilead could challenge Ammon's land claims. This reveals a chilling intertwining of depravity with land greed, prioritizing material gain over human life.

Amos 1 13 Bonus section

• The particular savagery described, ripping open pregnant women, was a known practice in ancient warfare for ethnic cleansing and sowing terror. God's specific condemnation of it reveals a deep abhorrence for such acts, classifying them not just as acts of war, but as crimes against fundamental humanity that demand divine retribution.
• The sin of Ammon directly attacks the most innocent and vulnerable, the unborn, showing a complete lack of moral boundaries in their pursuit of geopolitical objectives. This contrasts sharply with God's valuing of all life, even in the womb, a theme seen throughout Scripture (e.g., Psa 139:13-16; Jer 1:5).
• Amos's oracle highlights God's justice being comprehensive; He holds both covenant and non-covenant nations accountable. The Gentile nations are judged for transgressions against general revelation and the innate moral conscience, even if they did not possess the Mosaic Law. Their actions violated universal norms of humanity.
• The fact that Ammonites were descendants of Lot implies a familial relationship to Israel, yet their enmity was often severe. This adds a layer of condemnation for their unprovoked and brutal attacks against people often related or geographically proximate, showing deep-seated malice.

Amos 1 13 Commentary

Amos 1:13 stands as a stark declaration of God's universal justice. It reveals that God's moral law applies not only to His covenant people, Israel, but to all nations. The Ammonites are condemned for an act of unparalleled barbarity—the tearing open of pregnant women. This deed represents an ultimate violation of human dignity and the sanctity of life, crossing a red line in God's eyes. The phrase "for three transgressions... and for four" emphasizes the cumulative and excessive nature of their sin, pushing them beyond a point of no return. Their motive, to "enlarge their territory," highlights a ruthless pursuit of worldly gain at the cost of unimaginable cruelty, showcasing a depraved indifference to life for the sake of power and land. God's response—"I will not revoke the punishment"—underscores the finality and inevitability of judgment for such egregious crimes against humanity. It demonstrates that the Creator is the upholder of universal moral order, and that He will certainly repay those who inflict such unspeakable evil, regardless of whether they are His covenant people or not.