Amos 5:13 kjv
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
Amos 5:13 nkjv
Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time.
Amos 5:13 niv
Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil.
Amos 5:13 esv
Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
Amos 5:13 nlt
So those who are smart keep their mouths shut,
for it is an evil time.
Amos 5 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Amos 5:13 | Silent will be the wise at such a time; for it is an evil time. | Connects to discernment and silence |
| Psalm 39:1-2 | I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are before me.” | The impulse to remain silent before the wicked |
| Proverbs 17:28 | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed insightful. | Silence as a mark of wisdom |
| Proverbs 19:11 | Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression. | Prudence in speech and action |
| Ecclesiastes 3:7 | A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. | The right timing for speech and silence |
| Matthew 7:6 | Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. | Discernment about who to speak to |
| Matthew 13:11-12 | To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and for them to have an abundance. But to the one who has not, even what they have will be taken away. | The selective nature of revelation and understanding |
| Acts 18:14-17 | But when Gallio was to pass on the văn of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the văn of judgment. Saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” ... but Gallio paid no attention. | Not engaging in unproductive legal/public disputes |
| 1 Peter 4:4 | They are surprised that you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they abuse you. | Not participating in the immoral activities of others |
| Romans 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | The effort towards peace, which may include silence |
| Psalm 141:3 | Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! | Prayer for control of speech |
| Proverbs 21:23 | Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue from iniquity keeps his soul from affliction. | The protective nature of guarded speech |
| Jeremiah 8:11 | They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. | Critiquing false pronouncements of peace |
| Isaiah 30:15 | For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” | The power of quietness |
| Hosea 7:8 | Ephraim is a cake not turned. | Unevenness and lack of proper development/correction |
| Luke 1:34 | And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” | Questioning by a devout person |
| John 3:19-20 | And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. | Those who prefer darkness over light will not engage with truth |
| Acts 28:25-28 | And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, after Paul had made one final statement. “The Holy Spirit was right in saying by Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear, but never understand; you will indeed see, but never perceive...’ So be it known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will hear it.” | Presenting truth, but accepting when it is rejected |
| Proverbs 10:19 | When words are many, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. | Restraining lips to avoid sin |
| James 1:19 | Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. | The wisdom of being slow to speak |
Amos 5 verses
Amos 5 13 Meaning
The verse signifies that wise individuals will remain silent in times of crisis and wickedness, understanding that the opportune moment for speech has passed. They recognize the pervasive evil, rendering communication ineffective, and instead choose discretion and quiet.
Amos 5 13 Context
Chapter 5 of Amos vividly depicts God’s impending judgment on Israel, particularly the northern kingdom of Samaria. The prophet details their societal corruption, idolatry, injustice, and misplaced trust in worldly systems. They celebrated and feasted while ignoring divine warnings and the suffering of the poor. In this context, verse 13 speaks to the spiritual state of those who are perceptive to the dire reality of their situation but realize that vocalizing it in their current sociopolitical climate would be futile or even dangerous. It's a time when divine judgment is so palpable and the sin so entrenched that the wise opt for silence rather than casting their words into a void of corruption. The “evil time” suggests an environment where truth is despised and rebuke is met with hostility.
Amos 5 13 Word Analysis
- וְ (ve): A common Hebrew conjunction meaning "and," connecting this verse to the preceding thought or introducing a new related idea.
- דֹּמֵֽהּ (domēh): From the root "dum," meaning "to be silent," "to be still." Here it implies being silent or inactive, not out of fear, but out of discerning wisdom.
- הַסֹּכֶל (ha-sōḵel): "The prudent," "the wise," or "the skillful." This noun comes from the verb "śkl," meaning "to be skillful," "to be wise," "to be prudent." It denotes someone with discernment and good judgment.
- יֶחֱרַשׁ (yeḥărash): From the root "ḥrš," meaning "to be deaf," "to be dumb," "to be silent." In this context, it emphatically means "to keep silent" or "to be silent." It conveys a purposeful inaction or abstention from speech.
- כִּי (kī): "Because," "for," introducing the reason for the silence.
- בְּעֵת (bəʿēṯ): "At a time," "in time," "at the time."
- רָעָה (rāʿāh): "Evil," "wickedness," "trouble," "adversity." It signifies a time characterized by pervasive sin and impending disaster. This isn't just a temporal marker but a qualitative description of the era.
Word Group Analysis:
- "The prudent will keep silent": This phrase juxtaposes wisdom (prudence) with an action (silence). It suggests that the wise recognize the context dictates the appropriate response, and in this specific "evil time," silence is the wisest course. It’s not a passive resignation but an active decision born of discernment.
- "For it is an evil time": This clause provides the justification for the prudence of silence. The pervasiveness of evil makes words of admonishment or prophecy ineffective. It highlights an era where opposition to truth is so entrenched that speaking out would be casting pearls before swine, as noted in Matthew 7:6.
Amos 5 13 Bonus Section
The concept of strategic silence is not unique to Amos. In the New Testament, Jesus often employed silence when faced with uncharitable or trap-setting questions from religious authorities. His disciples, like Peter in Acts, also learned to discern when to speak boldly and when to refrain, particularly in adversarial settings. This verse cautions against a kind of religious activism that assumes vocal outcry is always the most effective method of change. True wisdom involves discerning when to engage vocally and when to be silent, entrusting the ultimate outcome to God. It’s about understanding that not every battle is won with words, and sometimes, the greatest witness is found in quiet faithfulness amidst opposition.
Amos 5 13 Commentary
In a period characterized by rampant sin and the impending judgment of God, true wisdom lies not in incessant vocalization, but in a discerning silence. The wise understand that in such a pervasively wicked environment, their words might be wasted, misunderstood, or even lead to greater personal peril without achieving the desired effect. This silence is not cowardly inaction, but a strategic withholding of speech until a more opportune moment, or perhaps, a quiet adherence to righteousness. It reflects a deep understanding that simply speaking truth into an unreceptive and hostile atmosphere can be counterproductive, especially when the divine court is already in session, and judgment is at hand. This is a time for inner steadfastness and reliance on God's justice, rather than engaging in debates or pleas that will fall on deaf ears and hardened hearts.