Amos 1 8

Amos 1:8 kjv

And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

Amos 1:8 nkjv

I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, And the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn My hand against Ekron, And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish," Says the Lord GOD.

Amos 1:8 niv

I will destroy the king of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines are dead," says the Sovereign LORD.

Amos 1:8 esv

I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish," says the Lord GOD.

Amos 1:8 nlt

I will slaughter the people of Ashdod
and destroy the king of Ashkelon.
Then I will turn to attack Ekron,
and the few Philistines still left will be killed,"
says the Sovereign LORD.

Amos 1 verses

Amos 1 8 Meaning

Amos 1:8 declares God’s specific and severe judgment upon Philistia, naming three of its key cities – Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron – and their inhabitants and leaders. This verse announces the divine purpose to utterly eliminate the Philistines, ensuring no one, from the general population to those in authority, nor any remnant, will escape this decreed destruction. It signifies the absolute certainty and thoroughness of God’s impending judgment.

Amos 1 8 Context

Amos 1:8 is part of a series of oracles of judgment delivered by the prophet Amos against the nations surrounding Israel, culminating in an oracle against Judah and then Israel itself. Each oracle begins with the refrain "For three transgressions... and for four," signifying not just four specific sins, but a cumulative and overflowing measure of sin that merits irreversible judgment. The oracles demonstrate God's universal sovereignty, not limited to Israel alone, but extending to all peoples and holding them accountable for their actions against humanity and His moral order, irrespective of covenant knowledge.

Specifically, the oracle against Philistia (Amos 1:6-8) condemns them for their slave-trading practices, particularly selling captives to Edom, which constituted an offense against the "whole captivity" (humanity). This act was a violation of common human decency and God’s moral standards. Historically, the Philistines were perennial enemies of Israel, a confederation of powerful city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron) on the coastal plain. They worshipped deities like Dagon and Baal-zebub. The prophecy underscores that despite their power and resistance against Israel for centuries, they too would fall under God's righteous judgment.

Amos 1 8 Word analysis

• and I will cut off (וְהִכְרַתִּי, vəhiḵəraṭî): From the root כרת (kārath), meaning "to cut, to cut off, to destroy, to utterly exterminate." This term carries strong connotations of divine judgment and covenant curse, implying a decisive and final cessation. It is a punitive action taken directly by God, highlighting His authority and determination in bringing about the end of the specified group or entity.
• the inhabitant (יֹשֵׁב, yošēv): Means "dweller" or "resident." This word signifies not just the military forces or specific leaders, but the general populace and settled community within the city. Its use indicates a comprehensive judgment that extends to the entire population.
• from Ashdod (מֵאַשְׁדּוֹד, meʾašdôd): One of the five major Philistine cities, known historically as a significant center for Dagon worship (1 Sam 5). Its mention specifically for cutting off its inhabitants symbolizes the divine judgment targeting the very heart of the Philistine people.
• and him that holdeth the scepter (וְתֹמֵךְ שֶׁבֶט, vəṭômēḵ ševēṭ): Literally "and holder of a rod/staff." The "scepter" (שֶׁבֶט, shēveṭ) here symbolizes royal authority, leadership, and power. This phrase points to the divine judgment specifically targeting the political, administrative, and royal leadership of the Philistines, ensuring that their systems of governance and symbols of power are dismantled.
• from Ashkelon (מֵאַשְׁקְלוֹן, meʾashqəlôn): Another powerful and strategic Philistine city located on the coast. Targeting its leadership, in conjunction with the populace of Ashdod, further underscores the comprehensiveness of the divine judgment across the Philistine pentapolis.
• and I will turn Mine hand (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֤י יָדִֽי, vaššīḇōtî yāḏî): This is an idiomatic expression indicating a decisive act of divine judgment or punitive action. While sometimes meaning to turn back, here with "against" (עַל, al), it implies bringing a strong hand to bear, exerting overwhelming power and executing judgment with force and intent. It denotes God’s direct, powerful, and deliberate intervention.
• against Ekron (עַל־עֶקְרוֹן, ‘al-‘eqrôn): A third Philistine city mentioned, historically important and situated more inland. Its inclusion completes the geographical and demographic scope of the judgment, showing that God's judgment covers the breadth of the Philistine territory, encompassing key population and administrative centers.
• and the remnant (וּשְׁאֵרִ֥ית, ûšəʾēryt): "A remainder" or "what is left." In this context, it emphasizes the complete nature of the destruction – even if some were to survive initial attacks, they too would ultimately perish. This signifies that no group or segment of the Philistine identity would persist.
• of the Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים, pəlīštim): The collective designation for the people and nation. The judgment is not just against individual cities but against the Philistine identity and existence as a distinct entity.
• shall perish (תֹאבַ֔ד, tōvəd): From the root אָבַד ('abad), meaning "to be destroyed, to perish, to vanish, to be lost." This word stresses the finality and thoroughness of the destruction. It is an utter and irreversible end, implying that the Philistines would cease to exist as a political and ethnic force.
• saith the Lord GOD (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, nəʾūm ʾăḏōnāy YHWH): A formulaic divine declaration or oracle formula. Ne'um signifies an authoritative declaration, Adonai (Lord) denotes sovereignty, and YHWH (GOD/Yahweh) refers to God's covenant name. This phrase guarantees the divine origin, authority, certainty, and fulfillment of the prophecy, emphasizing that this judgment is spoken and ordained by the Almighty sovereign over all nations.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• "and I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the scepter from Ashkelon": This phrase reveals the two-pronged nature of God's judgment: it targets both the general populace ("the inhabitant") and the specific leadership ("him that holdeth the scepter"). This indicates a comprehensive destruction that leaves no level of society untouched. The chosen cities represent the strongholds and authority centers of Philistia, showing the decisive impact of divine wrath.
• "and I will turn Mine hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish": Here, the divine action is depicted as purposeful and unyielding. "Turning Mine hand" signifies a powerful and directed blow from God. The mention of Ekron, another key city, and then "the remnant of the Philistines" dying, signifies the widespread nature of the judgment that sweeps across the entire Philistine territory and ensures the utter and final annihilation of any who remain, leaving no possibility of future resurgence.
• "saith the Lord GOD": This concluding divine utterance serves as a divine imprimatur. It seals the prophecy with the unchangeable word of the sovereign Lord (Adonai) who is the self-existent God (YHWH). It underlines the absolute certainty of the prophecy's fulfillment and the omnipotence of the One declaring it, reaffirming that no human or national power can stand against His decree.

Amos 1 8 Bonus section

The choice of Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron, three of the five Philistine "lordships" (Gaza and Gath are absent, but likely covered by the general "Philistines"), points to the comprehensiveness of the judgment on the entire region and its ruling structures. Historical evidence indeed shows the decline and eventual disappearance of the Philistines as a distinct ethnic and political entity. This fulfills not only Amos's prophecy but similar declarations in Jeremiah 47, Zephaniah 2:4-7, and Zechariah 9:5-7. The emphasis on "cutting off" and "perishing" speaks to a complete ethnocide, where the national identity and independent power structure cease to exist, a common outcome of severe divine judgment on idolatrous and oppressive nations in biblical prophecy.

Amos 1 8 Commentary

Amos 1:8 powerfully illustrates God's unyielding justice against nations that violate His moral order. For the Philistines, perennial adversaries of Israel and known for their abhorrent slave trade, this judgment underscores YHWH's universal sovereignty. Their gods, such as Dagon, were proven impotent against the God of Israel (1 Sam 5), and this prophecy further confirms YHWH's sole dominion. The meticulous targeting of key cities – Ashdod's populace, Ashkelon's leadership, and a complete end for Ekron and any remnant – showcases the absolute nature and certainty of divine wrath. This judgment ensured the Philistines would cease to be a distinct people, a prophecy fulfilled through successive invasions by powers like Assyria, Babylon, and Greece, leading to their historical disappearance. The phrase "saith the Lord GOD" authenticates this as an inviolable divine decree, assuring both the immediate audience of the Israelites and future generations that God is actively involved in the affairs of all nations, upholding justice, and His word will prevail.