Amos 2 16

Amos 2:16 kjv

And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.

Amos 2:16 nkjv

The most courageous men of might Shall flee naked in that day," Says the LORD.

Amos 2:16 niv

Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," declares the LORD.

Amos 2:16 esv

and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day," declares the LORD.

Amos 2:16 nlt

On that day the most courageous of your fighting men
will drop their weapons and run for their lives,"
says the LORD.

Amos 2 verses

Amos 2 16 Meaning

Amos 2:16 declares that in the coming day of divine judgment, even the most courageous and physically powerful warriors of Israel will be utterly helpless. Instead of standing their ground, they will flee in a panicked, undignified escape, stripped of their clothes, armor, and honor, signifying total defeat, humiliation, and loss of all security and possessions. This vivid image underscores the absolute certainty and overwhelming nature of God's impending wrath against a nation that has continually rebelled against Him.

Amos 2 16 Context

Amos 2:16 is the climatic conclusion to a series of condemnations (Amos 1:3-2:16) where the prophet declares God's judgment against Israel's neighbors and then, with increasing intensity, against Judah and finally, Northern Israel itself. Amos begins with general injustices but culminates in Israel's specific covenant violations: idolatry, sexual immorality, oppression of the poor, perversion of justice, and despising the prophets and Nazarites. This verse falls within the most severe indictment against Israel (Amos 2:6-16), detailing how God will press them down and send judgment despite their perceived strength. Following vivid descriptions of chariots, charioteers, swift runners, strong archers, and swift horsemen all failing to escape (Amos 2:14-15), this final verse explicitly states that even the most formidable warrior—the courageous among the mighty—will be utterly routed and shamed, emphasizing the total and inescapable nature of the coming divine punishment for their deep-seated sins. The historical context is the relatively prosperous but spiritually corrupt era of Jeroboam II (mid-8th century BC) in Israel, where a false sense of security and military prowess prevailed, blinding them to their impending doom. The "Day of the Lord" theme, prevalent in prophetic books, is not merely a day of blessing but of severe judgment, specifically for God's rebellious people in this context.

Amos 2 16 Word analysis

• And he that is courageous:
  • Hebrew: וְאַמִּיץ (və’ammîṣ). Root ’ametz (אָמַץ), meaning "to be strong, firm, brave, courageous."
  • Significance: This refers to an individual possessing inner fortitude and strength, one expected to stand firm in battle and leadership. The prophecy targets precisely those deemed most capable and dependable. It highlights the reversal of expected human capability in the face of divine judgment.
• among the mighty:
  • Hebrew: בַגִּבֹּורִים (vaggibbôrîm). Gibbôr (גִּבֹּור) means "strong, mighty man, warrior, hero." Often denotes a formidable soldier or champion.
  • Significance: This phrase elevates the "courageous one" even further, identifying them as preeminent among the strongest and most valiant warriors. This serves to magnify the irony and the overwhelming nature of the coming judgment, as even the elite among the powerful will fall. It implicitly polemicizes against Israel's misplaced confidence in its military and human prowess.
• shall flee away:
  • Hebrew: יָנוּס (yānûs). Root nuws (נוּס), meaning "to flee, escape, take flight in haste."
  • Significance: This is not an orderly retreat but a panicked, desperate flight, devoid of honor. It conveys chaos and a complete breakdown of military discipline and individual courage, which is antithetical to the very meaning of "courageous."
• naked:
  • Hebrew: עֵירֹם (’êrôm), meaning "naked, unclothed, bare."
  • Significance: Nakedness in the biblical context profoundly symbolizes shame, humiliation, destitution, and the stripping away of all dignity, protection, and possessions. Warriors would typically be heavily armored. Fleeing naked signifies the complete loss of equipment, status, and honor—a state of utter exposure and vulnerability, sometimes characteristic of prisoners of war. It also denotes vulnerability and the removal of false coverings, revealing one's true helpless state before God.
• in that day:
  • Hebrew: בַּיֹּום הַהוּא (bayyôm hahû’), literally "in the day, the certain/that one."
  • Significance: This is a prophetic idiom referring to a specific, future moment of divine intervention and judgment. It implies a time chosen and ordained by God, not by human timing or design, making the event inevitable and undeniable. It is often the "Day of the LORD," characterized by darkness, dread, and reckoning.
• saith the Lord:
  • Hebrew: נְאֻם יְהוָה (nə’um YHWH). Ne’um (נְאֻם) is a formal prophetic declaration.
  • Significance: This phrase emphatically affirms the divine authority and absolute certainty of the prophecy. It is God Himself speaking, not Amos, rendering the message unquestionable and inevitable. It highlights that the judgment stems from God's righteous character and holy decree, not from random chance or human factors.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away": This phrase dramatically sets up a powerful paradox. Those who by definition should stand firm and be a source of strength (the courageous and mighty) are instead reduced to abject panic and flight. This directly counters Israel's reliance on military power and the cult of the hero. It signifies the absolute futility of human strength when confronted by divine judgment. It portrays the shattering of all human confidence.
• "flee away naked in that day": This phrase combines panic (flee away) with profound shame and utter loss (naked), placed within the context of inevitable divine judgment (in that day). It describes not just military defeat but total collapse, destitution, and dehumanization. The imagery of naked flight implies abandonment of all assets, honor, and a state of complete helplessness and exposure before their adversaries and, ultimately, before God.
• "saith the Lord": This concluding divine declaration places an absolute seal of certainty and infallibility upon the prophecy. It emphasizes that this outcome is not a possibility but a divine decree, affirming the sovereignty and trustworthiness of God's word concerning judgment.

Amos 2 16 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant polemic against the pervasive ancient Near Eastern belief in the invincibility of elite warriors or national armies. Many cultures glorified their "mighty ones" and considered them an impenetrable shield against threats. Amos, speaking on behalf of the Lord, shatters this illusion, asserting God's absolute supremacy over all human strength and strategy. The humiliation depicted here, of even the most formidable warrior fleeing naked, directly targets Israel's pride and security built on human strength, signaling the absolute and inescapable nature of divine judgment that even the best human defenses cannot withstand. The picture painted by Amos 2:16 contrasts sharply with the expectation that Yahweh, as Israel's warrior God, would fight for them; instead, He will fight against them, rendering their heroes helpless. This complete reversal underscores that reliance on military prowess or human might (whether physical strength, strategic brilliance, or wealth) ultimately proves a worthless substitute for righteousness and covenant fidelity to God.

Amos 2 16 Commentary

Amos 2:16 presents a vivid and devastating culmination of God's judgment upon Israel, directly challenging their reliance on military might. Despite their physical strength and bravery, symbolized by "the courageous among the mighty," even these elite warriors will be overwhelmed by God's wrath, reduced to panicked, undignified flight. The imagery of "fleeing away naked" encapsulates profound humiliation, utter destitution, and the stripping away of all honor, status, and false security. This is not just a military defeat but a total collapse of their self-reliant strength and dignity. "In that day" points to the Day of the Lord, a period of inevitable divine reckoning that leaves no escape, making it clear that human defenses are utterly futile when faced with God's sovereign justice. The prophetic formula "saith the Lord" underlines the immutable certainty and divine origin of this dreadful decree. The verse thus serves as a powerful reminder that all human strength and boastings fade into nothingness before the majesty and holiness of the Almighty God. It warns against placing trust in human power and self-sufficiency, highlighting that true security comes only from faithful obedience and humble reliance on God.