Amos 1 9

Amos 1:9 kjv

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:

Amos 1:9 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, And did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.

Amos 1:9 niv

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not relent. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,

Amos 1:9 esv

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they delivered up a whole people to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.

Amos 1:9 nlt

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Tyre have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
They broke their treaty of brotherhood with Israel,
selling whole villages as slaves to Edom.

Amos 1 verses

Amos 1 9 Meaning

Amos 1:9 states that God pronounces an unchangeable judgment upon Tyre for its cumulative sins. Specifically, Tyre's grave transgression was selling entire populations into slavery to Edom, an act further aggravated by its betrayal of a long-standing covenant of friendship. This highlights God's absolute justice against cruelty, human trafficking, and the breaking of sacred agreements, demonstrating His moral authority over all nations.

Amos 1 9 Context

Amos 1:9 is part of a series of pronouncements (chapters 1-2) in which the prophet Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah, delivers oracles of judgment against various surrounding nations. These prophecies demonstrate God's universal sovereignty and His moral authority over all peoples, not just Israel. Each oracle begins with the formula "For three transgressions... and for four, I will not revoke its punishment," signaling a full measure of sin that has exhausted divine patience. Tyre, a wealthy and powerful Phoenician city-state known for its extensive maritime trade, is here singled out not for general wickedness but for a specific egregious sin. The context of these "nations oracles" establishes a moral foundation for God's judgment, showing that even nations without the Mosaic Law are accountable to fundamental principles of justice, human dignity, and the keeping of covenants.

Amos 1 9 Word analysis

• Thus says the Lord: A powerful declaration establishing the divine authority and absolute certainty of the following message. It indicates the prophetic word originates directly from God, rendering it unalterable and supreme.
• For three transgressions... and for four, I will not revoke the punishment:
  • For three transgressions: (עַל שְׁלֹשָׁה פִּשְׁעֵי - al shəlosha’ pishêy) - The term pish`ey (transgressions) denotes rebellious acts, willful deviations from an expected standard of conduct or a deliberate breaking of trust. It implies intentionality in the wrongdoing.
  • and for four, I will not revoke the punishment: (וְעַל־אַרְבָּעָה לֹא אֲשִׁיבֶנּוּ - wəal-arba`a lo’ ’ašîbennû) - This numerical poetic device, common in Hebrew literature, signifies that the transgressions have reached their complete, overflowing, and unbearable measure. It does not mean exactly seven sins but an abundant accumulation, past the point of return or mercy. "I will not revoke it" (lo’ ’ašîbennû) conveys the finality and inevitability of God's judgment; His decree is firm and irreversible.
• of Tyre: (צֹר - Tsôr) - An ancient Phoenician city, a major commercial hub and maritime power on the Mediterranean coast. It was known for its wealth, trade networks, and sophisticated culture, often in political and commercial interaction with Israel.
• because they delivered up a whole people to Edom:
  • delivered up: (עַל־הַסְגִירָם - `al-hasgirām) - Implies a betrayal or active handing over, often for gain. Here, it refers to acting as intermediaries or perpetrators in selling captives into slavery.
  • a whole people: (גָּלוּת שְׁלֵמָה - galut shəlemâ) - Literally "a complete captivity" or "an entire exile." This emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of the act. While not explicitly identified here, Joel 3:6 suggests these were "children of Judah and Jerusalem," but it could also refer more generally to other enslaved groups passed through Tyre.
  • to Edom: (לֶאֱדוֹם - le’ědōm) - The Edomites were descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob (Israel), but often a bitter enemy of Israel (Num 20:14-21). Selling people to a known adversary highlights the malicious nature of the transaction.
• and did not remember the covenant of brothers:
  • did not remember: (וְלֹא זָכְרוּ - wəlō’ zākhərû) - Not merely a lapse of memory, but a conscious disregard, a neglect of, or an active forgetting of responsibility and a pre-existing agreement.
  • the covenant of brothers: (בְּרִית אָחִים - berît ’āḥîm) - Refers to a specific, historical treaty or pact of peace and friendship. This is most famously linked to the alliances between Hiram of Tyre and Kings David and Solomon (1 Kings 5; 9:10-14; 2 Chronicles 2), where they specifically affirmed a "brotherly" relationship (1 Kings 9:13, where Hiram calls Solomon "my brother"). This elevates Tyre's act from mere slave trade to a profound act of betrayal against a trusted ally. It also implies a general moral or kinship obligation broken.

Amos 1 9 Bonus section

• The judgment on Tyre emphasizes that wealth and economic power do not exempt a nation from divine scrutiny and accountability for its moral actions. Tyre’s sophisticated trade became a vehicle for a heinous sin.
• The "covenant of brothers" underscores the biblical principle of faithfulness to agreements and the profound betrayal involved when trust between allies or kin is broken, even for perceived financial gain. God values loyalty and ethical conduct in international relations.
• This oracle contributes to the wider biblical theme that God is sovereign over all nations, and His justice is universal. He judges based on their adherence to fundamental moral law, demonstrating that human rights (in this context, freedom from enslavement and exploitation) are divine concerns.

Amos 1 9 Commentary

Amos 1:9 encapsulates God's indictment of Tyre, a dominant economic power, for its involvement in the inhumane slave trade. The formula "three...and for four" signals that Tyre's cup of iniquity was full; God's patience had reached its limit. The specific sin—selling an entire populace into slavery to Edom—was not just a cruel act, but a profound violation of a "covenant of brothers." This likely refers to the long-standing friendly treaties and trade agreements between Tyre/Phoenicia and Israel, establishing a bond that transcended mere political alliance to one of mutual respect and non-aggression. For Tyre, driven by mercantile greed, to betray this "brotherhood" by selling people, possibly Israelites (as hinted in Joel 3), to their enemy Edom, constituted a grievous breach of trust and a moral outrage. This verse underscores that God's justice is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations, judging them not by Mosaic Law, which they did not have, but by universal ethical standards of human dignity and the sanctity of agreements. It showcases God's condemnation of economic gain achieved through exploitation and treachery.