Amos 6 13

Amos 6:13 kjv

Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?

Amos 6:13 nkjv

You who rejoice over Lo Debar, Who say, "Have we not taken Karnaim for ourselves By our own strength?"

Amos 6:13 niv

you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar and say, "Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?"

Amos 6:13 esv

you who rejoice in Lo-debar, who say, "Have we not by our own strength captured Karnaim for ourselves?"

Amos 6:13 nlt

And you brag about your conquest of Lo-debar.
You boast, "Didn't we take Karnaim by our own strength?"

Amos 6 verses

Amos 6 13 Meaning

You have seized a strong team with your power, and boastfully asked, "Who will bring us to judgment?" This verse describes the self-assurance and arrogance of the wealthy and powerful in Israel, who believed their own strength and perceived righteousness made them immune to divine retribution. Their boast was a challenge to God's justice and sovereignty.

Amos 6 13 Context

Amos 6:13 is situated within a broader prophetic condemnation of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of outward prosperity but inward corruption and injustice. The preceding verses describe Israel's boastful pride in their military victories and self-sufficiency. They are confident in their ability to overcome any obstacle, attributing their success solely to their own strength and prowess. This verse specifically highlights their verbal declaration of this arrogance. The historical backdrop is one where Israel, under rulers like Jeroboam II, experienced significant territorial gains and economic growth. However, this prosperity masked deep societal inequalities, exploitation of the poor, and a turn away from God's covenantal requirements. The prophecy aims to shatter their illusion of security and warn them of the impending divine judgment they so foolishly dismiss.

Amos 6 13 Word Analysis

• "You who say": (Hebrew: וַאֲתֶם הָאֹמְרִים – va'atem ha'omrim). This emphasizes the direct speech and vocalized arrogance of the people. The demonstrative pronoun "you" (atem) underscores their separation from and opposition to God's perspective. The present participle "saying" (ha'omrim) indicates a continuous attitude.
• "Have we not": (Hebrew: הֲלֹא – halo'). This is an interrogative particle introducing a rhetorical question, implying an expected affirmative answer. It's a challenge, asserting a perceived undeniable truth.
• "by our own strength": (Hebrew: בְּכֹחֵנוּ – bəkhoḥēnu). The preposition bə- means "by," "with," or "in." Khoḥ (כֹח) signifies strength, power, might, ability, and effectiveness. The suffix -ēnu is the first-person plural possessive pronoun, meaning "our." This phrase directly attributes their achievements to their human capacity, excluding divine aid.
• "seized": (Hebrew: חָזַקְתִּי – ḥazaqti). The root verb is ḥazaq (חָזַק), meaning "to be strong," "to strengthen," "to seize," "to lay hold of." Here, it’s used in the piel (causative) or hiphil (causative) form, indicating "to make strong" or "to seize powerfully." In this context, it signifies seizing by force or strength. Some interpretations suggest it relates to grasping the "horns" of a bull or altar, symbolizing taking power or control forcefully.
• "horns": (Hebrew: קַרְנֵי – qarnei). The plural noun qeren (קֶרֶן) means horn. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, horns often symbolized power, strength, sovereignty, and victory (e.g., the horns of a bull representing its might). It can also refer to the corners of an altar, where refuge was sought (Exodus 21:14), or it could be a metaphor for military might or trophies of war. The context strongly implies a military conquest.
• "of battle": (Hebrew: מִלְחָמָה – milḥamah). This is the standard word for "war" or "battle." It clarifies the arena in which their strength was exercised and their "horns" were seized.

Word Groups

• "Have we not by our own strength seized horns of battle?": This entire clause functions as a boastful assertion of self-sufficiency and military prowess. It highlights their defiance against any notion of dependence on or accountability to God for their successes. It signifies a complete rejection of divine sovereignty in their affairs, claiming all victory and power as their own.

Amos 6 13 Bonus Section

The imagery of "horns" resonates throughout Scripture as a symbol of power and authority, often attributed to God or His chosen instruments (e.g., Psalms 18:2; Daniel 8:3-25). In this verse, Israel has arrogantly usurped this symbolism for themselves. Their boasting reflects a perverted understanding of divine blessing, where God's provision becomes the basis for human pride rather than thanksgiving and humility. This defiance also touches upon the concept of justice ("Who will bring us to judgment?"), suggesting they feel no accountability to any higher power for their actions, likely including their oppressive practices against the vulnerable within their own society, as detailed elsewhere in Amos.

Amos 6 13 Commentary

The people of Israel, blinded by prosperity and military success, have come to believe they are entirely self-sufficient. They attribute their victories and their ability to command respect to their own might, not to the God who empowered them. This declaration, "Have we not by our own strength seized horns of battle?", is a profound expression of arrogant defiance. It's akin to saying, "Look at our power; we take what we want through our own might. Who can stand against us? Certainly not your God." This misattribution of power leads them to believe they are beyond divine judgment, a dangerous self-deception. This kind of pride was not unique to Israel; many ancient Near Eastern powers boasted in similar fashion, believing their gods or their own strength guaranteed victory. However, for Israel, it was a particularly egregious violation of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had explicitly warned them against forgetting Him in times of prosperity (Deuteronomy 8:11-18). The "horns" can be seen as a metaphor for trophies of war or the very source of strength in battle, implying they have claimed all such power for themselves. This verse is a stark reminder that true security and success originate from God, not from human effort or military might alone. Any boasting rooted in self-reliance rather than God's grace is ultimately an invitation to judgment.