Amos 2 14

Amos 2:14 kjv

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

Amos 2:14 nkjv

Therefore flight shall perish from the swift, The strong shall not strengthen his power, Nor shall the mighty deliver himself;

Amos 2:14 niv

The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.

Amos 2:14 esv

Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life;

Amos 2:14 nlt

Your fastest runners will not get away.
The strongest among you will become weak.
Even mighty warriors will be unable to save themselves.

Amos 2 verses

Amos 2 14 Meaning

Amos 2:14 declares the futility of human might and swiftness when faced with divine judgment. It underscores that no individual, regardless of their speed, physical strength, or heroic prowess, will be able to escape or deliver themselves from the inevitable consequences God brings upon the sinful. The verse vividly portrays a state of complete helplessness and unavoidable destruction for those upon whom God's wrath falls, demonstrating that human self-reliance is utterly insufficient.

Amos 2 14 Context

Amos 2:14 is part of the broader pronouncement of God's judgment against Judah and Israel. After detailing judgments against surrounding nations (Amos 1:3-2:3) for their transgressive acts, Amos shifts focus to Judah (Amos 2:4-5) and then primarily to Israel (Amos 2:6-16). This specific verse falls within the indictment against Israel for their extensive social injustices, oppression of the poor, moral decay, and rejection of God's prophets and Nazirites. Chapters 1-2 highlight a series of offenses leading to inescapable punishment. Verse 14, along with the subsequent verses (15-16), portrays the complete collapse of all human defense mechanisms – speed, strength, military prowess, leadership, and individual heroism – in the face of God's overwhelming wrath. Historically, Northern Israel (Samaria) relied heavily on its military strength, chariots, and warrior culture for security, rather than their covenant relationship with God. Amos's prophecy dismantles this false sense of security, asserting that their human-centric solutions will fail them completely when God acts. It is a stark polemic against human self-sufficiency and nationalistic pride that forgets divine sovereignty.

Amos 2 14 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן - lakhen): An emphatic particle, meaning "for this reason" or "therefore." It signals the conclusion drawn from the preceding condemnation of Israel's sins (Amos 2:6-13). It highlights the logical and inescapable consequence of their rebellion.
• flight (מָנוֹס - manos): Refers to escape or refuge. In the context of warfare, it means fleeing from an enemy or battle. The term here indicates a complete inability to find safety or avoid confrontation.
• shall perish (תֹּאבַד - to'vad): From the root אָבַד ('avad), meaning "to be lost," "to perish," "to be destroyed." It signifies a total cessation, non-existence, or utter failure. There will be no escape route left; all attempts at flight will be fruitless.
• from the swift (מִקַּל - miqal): "From" (מִן - min) and "swift" (קַל - qal). Qal means light, nimble, quick, or swift. This refers to warriors or individuals known for their speed, perhaps those who could outrun enemies or escape dangers quickly. The verse states that even their speed will not avail them.
• and the strong (וְחָזָק - vechazaq): "And" (וְ - ve) and "strong" (חָזָק - chazaq). Chazaq denotes physical strength, might, firmness. It implies those of great physical power or robustness.
• shall not strengthen (לֹא יְאַמֵּץ - lo ye'ammetz): "Not" (לֹא - lo) and "he shall strengthen himself" (יְאַמֵּץ - ye'ammetz, a Hifil form of אָמַץ - 'amatz). 'Amatz means to be strong, courageous, confirm. The Hifil often has a causative or reflexive sense ("he shall not make himself strong" or "he shall not brace up his strength"). This highlights an utter failure of even the most robust to rally their power.
• his force (כֹּחוֹ - kocho): "His" and "force/strength" (כֹּח - koach). Refers to one's inherent power, energy, or ability. The strong will not even be able to apply or utilize their own power.
• nor shall the mighty (וְגִבּוֹר - vegifbor): "And" (וְ - ve) and "mighty man/hero" (גִּבּוֹר - gibbor). Gibbor refers to a warrior, a hero, a valiant man, one recognized for exceptional prowess in battle.
• deliver himself (נַפְשׁוֹ יְמַלֵּט - yemalleṭ naphsho): "He shall save/escape" (יְמַלֵּט - yemalleṭ, Hifil of מָלַט - malat) and "his soul/life" (נַפְשׁוֹ - naphsho). Malat means to escape, rescue, flee to safety. Nephesh commonly refers to life or a living being. So, "nor will the mighty save his life." This points to the absolute inability of even the greatest warrior to secure his own survival.

Words-group analysis:

• "flight shall perish from the swift": This phrase dramatically portrays the failure of the most basic human instinct for self-preservation – running away. Even those with the advantage of speed will find no avenue for escape, indicating an inescapable judgment that nullifies their natural abilities.
• "the strong shall not strengthen his force": This goes beyond merely not being able to exert strength; it implies an internal collapse or an inability to even muster one's own power. Their innate strength will become useless, signifying an overwhelming external force or a divinely induced paralysis.
• "nor shall the mighty deliver himself": This extends the idea of helplessness to the pinnacle of human martial power. The 'gibbor,' the heroic warrior, renowned for his ability to save himself and others, will find himself utterly unable to preserve his own life, signaling the complete shattering of human pride and reliance on military strength.

Amos 2 14 Bonus section

The repetitive use of negation ("shall not," "nor") across three distinct aspects of human strength ("swift," "strong," "mighty") emphasizes the comprehensive and absolute nature of the impending doom. It is not just a setback, but a total, unmitigated failure of all human efforts. This total incapacitation of man before God's judgment is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, aiming to instil fear of the Lord and encourage repentance and reliance on divine mercy alone. This serves as a warning not only against specific sins but against the foundational sin of self-reliance and pride. The judgment is not merely a consequence of specific acts but also the inevitable outcome when a people rely on their own "arm of flesh" instead of the Living God.

Amos 2 14 Commentary

Amos 2:14 serves as a potent declaration of God's absolute sovereignty in judgment. Having detailed Israel's systemic sins, the prophet systematically dismantles their presumed securities. The verse targets three archetypes of human strength and evasion: the swift (representing speed and strategic retreat), the strong (representing raw physical power), and the mighty/heroic warrior (representing skilled martial prowess and self-preservation). God's impending judgment is portrayed as an irresistible force that renders all human capabilities null and void. No natural advantage or cultivated skill will provide protection. This highlights the vanity of trusting in anything other than God for salvation and underscores the profound truth that when the Lord executes judgment, there is no defense, no escape, and no hero mighty enough to rescue himself, let alone others. It's a humbling reminder that ultimately, salvation and deliverance come solely from the Lord. For believers, this serves as a reminder to rely wholly on God, and for the world, it signifies that human defiance cannot stand against divine decree.