Amos 5:20 kjv
Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Amos 5:20 nkjv
Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?
Amos 5:20 niv
Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light? pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
Amos 5:20 esv
Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?
Amos 5:20 nlt
Yes, the day of the LORD will be dark and hopeless,
without a ray of joy or hope.
Amos 5 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Amos 5:18 | Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! what is the day of the LORD… | Amos 5:18 (Fulfills) |
| Isa 2:12 | And the day of the LORD of hosts shall be… | Isa 2:12 (Explains Theme) |
| Jer 30:7 | Alas; for that day is great, so that none is like it… | Jer 30:7 (Describes Day) |
| Joel 2:2 | A day of darkness and of gloominess… | Joel 2:2 (Describes Day) |
| Joel 2:31 | The sun shall be turned into darkness… | Joel 2:31 (Significance) |
| Zeph 1:7 | Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is… | Zeph 1:7 (Anticipation) |
| Zech 14:7 | And it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor… | Zech 14:7 (Divine Nature) |
| Mal 4:2 | But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise… | Mal 4:2 (Messianic Light) |
| Matt 4:16 | The people which sat in darkness saw great light… | Matt 4:16 (Fulfillment) |
| Luke 1:79 | To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death… | Luke 1:79 (Messianic Light) |
| John 1:4 | In him was life; and the life was the light of men. | John 1:4 (Jesus as Light) |
| John 8:12 | I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in… | John 8:12 (Jesus as Light) |
| Acts 13:47 | For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light… | Acts 13:47 (Fulfillment) |
| Rom 13:12 | The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the… | Rom 13:12 (Light vs. Dark) |
| 1 Thess 5:4 | But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you… | 1 Thess 5:4 (Protection) |
| 1 John 2:8 | Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and… | 1 John 2:8 (Light Grows) |
| 1 John 2:10 | He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness… | 1 John 2:10 (Absence of Light) |
| 1 John 1:7 | But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship… | 1 John 1:7 (Walking in Light) |
| Rev 21:23 | And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it:… | Rev 21:23 (Ultimate Light) |
| Rev 22:5 | And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light… | Rev 22:5 (Ultimate Light) |
Amos 5 verses
Amos 5 20 Meaning
The verse describes a longing for the "Day of the LORD," characterized by its absence of darkness and the presence of light. This anticipation is not for a literal day, but for a time of divine intervention and judgment. The phrase "darkness" signifies not just physical night but also ignorance, sin, and the troubles brought by apostasy. Conversely, "light" represents God's presence, truth, salvation, and righteousness. The desire is for God's decisive action to vindicate His people and judge their oppressors.
Amos 5 20 Context
Chapter 5 of Amos opens with a lament over Israel's impending doom. The prophet paints a vivid picture of a fallen nation, symbolizing this through a "lost virgin." He then pronounces judgment upon Israel for its covenant unfaithfulness, social injustice, and religious hypocrisy. The people are depicted as seeking the "Day of the LORD," which they mistakenly believe will be a day of victory and vindication for them. Amos, however, clarifies that this day will be one of darkness and judgment, not light and deliverance, for those who persist in their sin. Verse 20, therefore, highlights this mistaken expectation and underscores the reality of God's wrath upon an unrepentant people. Historically, Israel, especially the Northern Kingdom (represented by Samaria and commonly referred to as Jacob or Joseph in prophetic language), had strayed far from God's ways. They practiced idolatry, oppressed the poor, and their religious rituals were devoid of true righteousness.
Amos 5 20 Word Analysis
כִּֽי־ (ki): Conjunction. "For," "because," "when." Introduces the reason for the desire for the Day of the LORD.
כֹּה (koh): Adverb. "Thus," "so," "like this." Refers to the preceding description or situation.
יֹּאֵר (yo'er): Verb, Niphal participle, masculine singular, from אוּר (ur). "To be light," "to shine." The people will think it will shine or be light for them. This is a direct contrast to the prophet's message.
וְלֹֽא־ (welo-): Conjunction and negative particle. "And not."
חֹשֶׁךְ (choshekh): Noun, masculine singular. "Darkness."
חֹשֶׁךְ (choshekh): Noun, masculine singular. "Darkness."
לֵהֶם (lehem): Noun, masculine plural suffix. "For them." Refers back to the people desiring the day.
Words Group Analysis:
- "כִּֽי־כֹה יֹּאֵר לֵהֶם" (ki-koh yo'er lehem): "For thus it will shine for them." This phrase captures the misplaced hope and misconception the people held regarding the Day of the LORD. They expected it to be a shining beacon of salvation and prosperity.
- "וְלֹֽא־חֹשֶׁךְ וְלֹא־שְׁחוּתָה" (welo-choshekh welo-sh'chutah): "And no darkness, and no thicket." The literal Hebrew word is "sh'chutah," often translated as "cloud" or "thicket." It reinforces the idea of no obscuring conditions, only clear, bright favor. This signifies a complete absence of anything negative, judgment, or gloom. Amos contrasts this with the reality they would face: actual darkness and destruction.
Amos 5 20 Bonus Section
The concept of the "Day of the LORD" (Yom Yahweh) is a recurring theme in the Old Testament prophets. It represents a future, decisive intervention of God in history to judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous. While sometimes it can refer to a specific historical judgment (like against Assyria), it often carries eschatological weight, pointing to the final judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom. The desire for this day was common, but its nature depended entirely on one's relationship with God. For the unrighteous, it would be a day of dread; for the faithful, a day of salvation. Jesus Christ, and the early apostles, identified the fulfillment of the "Day of the LORD's" saving light in His person and work, and the dawning of a new era of spiritual salvation. The final fulfillment is seen in the eternal state where darkness is entirely vanquished.
Amos 5 20 Commentary
This verse highlights the severe disconnect between Israel's perceived religious piety and their actual spiritual state and the divine judgment awaiting them. Their religious observance was a superficial attempt to earn favor with God, divorced from justice and righteousness. They desired a future salvation without repentance. Amos corrects this by declaring that the Day of the LORD, for such people, will not bring the anticipated "light" of deliverance but will indeed be characterized by overwhelming "darkness" (judgment, destruction, despair). It’s a warning against mistaking ritualism for true faith and a stark reminder that God’s "day" of reckoning is universally applied, especially against those who exploit and oppress others while claiming to serve Him. The desire for God’s intervention must be accompanied by a pursuit of His will, not merely a wish for personal vindication.