Amos 2:15 kjv
Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.
Amos 2:15 nkjv
He shall not stand who handles the bow, The swift of foot shall not escape, Nor shall he who rides a horse deliver himself.
Amos 2:15 niv
The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.
Amos 2:15 esv
he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself, nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
Amos 2:15 nlt
The archers will not stand their ground.
The swiftest runners won't be fast enough to escape.
Even those riding horses won't be able to save themselves.
Amos 2 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 33:16-17 | The king is not saved by his great army... A horse is a vain hope for deliverance | God saves, not human strength. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the LORD | Reliance on God, not earthly power. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses! | Warning against reliance on military aid. |
| Hos 1:7 | ...I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and deliver them by the LORD their God. I will not deliver them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. | God's deliverance is spiritual, not military. |
| Jer 46:6 | "Let not the swift flee, nor the mighty man escape... They stumble and fall..." | Flight is useless against God's judgment. |
| Jer 48:44 | "He who flees from the terror shall fall into the pit... I will bring it upon him..." | No escape from divine decreed judgment. |
| Psa 76:5-6 | The stouthearted were plundered... At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay fast asleep. | God overpowers mighty warriors and horses. |
| Psa 147:10-11 | He does not delight in the strength of the horse, nor take pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him... | God values devotion, not physical power. |
| Job 9:19 | If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! If of justice, who will summon him? | God's unchallengeable power. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance belongs to the LORD. | Preparation is human, victory is divine. |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. | Divine work relies on God's Spirit, not human. |
| Amo 9:1-3 | "Though they dig into Sheol, from there My hand will take them; though they ascend to heaven, from there I will bring them down..." | Utter inescapability of judgment. |
| Obd 1:4 | "Though you soar like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down..." | Prideful escape is impossible. |
| Lk 21:20-24 | "...when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains..." | Escape commanded where human means are applicable, unlike Amos. |
| Rev 6:15-17 | "...kings... great men... commanders... mighty men... hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, and said... "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne..." | Universal dread and futile attempts to hide from God's wrath. |
| Psa 44:6 | For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me. | Human weapons cannot deliver salvation. |
| Deut 28:7 | "The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated..." | Contrast: Blessing for obedience brings victory, sin brings defeat. |
| Psa 10:14 | You have seen, for You consider mischief and grief, To repay it with Your hand. | God is active in dispensing judgment. |
| Nah 3:17-18 | Your shepherds are slumbering, O king of Assyria; Your nobles are lying down... | Prophetic declarations of the downfall of powerful nations/armies. |
| Isa 22:7 | ...your choicest valleys were full of chariots, And the horsemen took up their positions at the gate. | Shows typical military formations being ineffective here. |
| Joel 2:5 | Like mighty men they run... | Depicts formidable forces, which will fail here. |
| Isa 30:16 | "...No, but we will flee on horses," you say; "Therefore you shall flee..." | Divine retribution making desired escape impossible. |
Amos 2 verses
Amos 2 15 Meaning
Amos 2:15 declares the utter futility of human military strength and means of escape in the face of God's determined judgment against Israel. No archer, swift runner, or horseman—representing the most formidable and swift components of ancient warfare and means of evasion—will be able to withstand the impending catastrophe, secure their lives, or escape. It emphasizes the inescapability of the divine wrath poured out due to their persistent sin.
Amos 2 15 Context
Amos chapter 2 is a powerful continuation of the divine pronouncements against various nations, culminating in specific judgments against Judah and then Israel. After condemning Damascus, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab for their transgressive acts, Amos sharpens his prophetic focus on God's own people. Judah is condemned for rejecting the law of the LORD, and then the indictment on Israel (the Northern Kingdom) intensifies, detailing their extensive moral and spiritual corruption—oppression of the poor, sexual immorality, sacrilege, and blatant idolatry despite God's previous provisions and warnings (Amos 2:6-12). This immediate verse (2:15) falls within the final segment of judgment against Israel, portraying the inescapable nature of the coming disaster. Historically, Israel had significant military power and relied on their armies and fortified cities. This prophecy highlights that even their best soldiers and means of defense or retreat would be utterly useless against the overwhelming divine wrath, often manifested through invading forces (like the Assyrians who eventually conquered them). The verse directly counters any human confidence in military prowess or the ability to outrun judgment, declaring that no strategy or physical capability can circumvent God's appointed day of reckoning.
Amos 2 15 Word analysis
- neither: Hebrew "lo" (לֹא). A strong, emphatic negation. It underscores absolute certainty, implying "not at all," "no way." It negates the possibility of the following actions.
- shall: The verb is in the imperfect tense, conveying a future sense and certainty. It's a declarative statement of what will happen.
- the archer: Hebrew "qesheth" (קֶשֶׁת), which literally means "bow." By metonymy, it refers to the archer (the wielder of the bow) or the entire archer contingent. In ancient warfare, archers were crucial for ranged attacks and could inflict significant casualties from a distance. Their effectiveness represented military precision and power.
- stand his ground: Hebrew "ya'amod" (יַעֲמֹד). This verb means to stand, remain, endure, or take a stand. Here, it implies an inability to hold one's position in battle, to withstand an assault, or to even continue fighting. The archer, meant to stand and fire, will be unable to maintain any resistance.
- and he that is swift of foot: Hebrew "v'qal raglav" (וְקַל רַגְלָיו), literally "and light of his feet." This refers to a person renowned for speed, perhaps a runner or a messenger, or even light infantry, whose primary advantage in a dire situation was the ability to outrun danger and escape.
- shall not deliver himself: Hebrew "lo y'mallet naphsho" (לֹא יְמַלֵּט נַפְשׁוֹ). "Y'mallet" (from root mlt) means to escape, deliver, or save oneself. "Naphsho" is literally "his soul/life." So, "he shall not escape with his life." It highlights the inescapable nature of the impending doom; no speed will grant escape.
- neither shall he that rideth the horse: Hebrew "v'rokhev hassus" (וְרֹכֵב הַסּוּס), literally "and rider of the horse." This refers to cavalry. Horses represented speed, mobility, and military dominance in the ancient Near East, often associated with elite forces and powerful armies.
- deliver his life: Again, "y'mallet naphsho" (יְמַלֵּט נַפְשׁוֹ). Repetition for emphasis, confirming the ultimate futility of even the swiftest and most powerful human means to avoid judgment.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "neither shall the archer stand his ground; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself; neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver his life." This three-fold declaration (archer, runner, horseman) systematically dismantles all aspects of human military prowess and self-preservation. It encompasses static combatants (archer), fast-moving individuals (runner), and mechanized warfare (horseman/cavalry). This comprehensive sweep indicates that no skill, no speed, and no military advantage will suffice. It speaks to the absolute sovereignty of God over human might. The repeated phrase "deliver himself/his life" underscores the unyielding nature of the judgment; escape is not an option.
Amos 2 15 Bonus section
The passage's depiction of a chaotic flight and inevitable capture finds parallels in the imagery of a routed army, where the typical functions of each military class are inverted or rendered useless. The archer, designed to stand and shoot, cannot; the runner, designed for escape, cannot; the horseman, meant for swift deployment and evasion, cannot. This reversal of expected military efficacy emphasizes the overwhelming nature of God's judgment, reducing Israel's once-formidable forces to helplessness. This particular form of judgment also serves as a direct rebuke to those who placed their faith in military alliances or their own martial capabilities rather than in the covenant God who had historically granted them victory when they obeyed Him (e.g., Deut 28:7). The prophecy underlines that God alone controls the outcome of battles and the fate of nations.
Amos 2 15 Commentary
Amos 2:15 serves as a stark warning to Israel that their military might, strategic defenses, and swift means of escape, which they likely trusted in, would be utterly useless against the judgment brought about by the Almighty God. This is not merely a defeat, but an utter dismantling of all human capabilities and confidence. It highlights that when God purposes to judge, no human ingenuity, strength, or speed can deter His wrath or provide a safe haven. This verse vividly portrays God as the supreme Warrior and Judge, before whom all human armies are insignificant. It calls the people to understand that their trust should lie solely in Him, not in earthly power or personal abilities. The futility described here ultimately points to the necessity of turning to the only One who can truly deliver and save, who is the LORD Himself.