Amos 7:8 kjv
And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
Amos 7:8 nkjv
And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said: "Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.
Amos 7:8 niv
And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.
Amos 7:8 esv
And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them;
Amos 7:8 nlt
And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I answered, "A plumb line." And the Lord replied, "I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.
Amos 7 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Amos 7:8 | ...I will not again pass by them anymore. | Amos 7:9 (continuation) |
| Leviticus 26:43 | ...they shall pay for their iniquity... | Leviticus 26:43 (consequences) |
| Isaiah 22:13 | ...let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die! | Isaiah 22:13 (worldly disregard) |
| Jeremiah 15:1 | ...let His indignation go forth... | Jeremiah 15:1 (divine resolve) |
| Ezekiel 5:11 | ...because you have defiled my sanctuary... | Ezekiel 5:11 (justification) |
| 2 Kings 14:26 | ...for the Lord saw that the affliction... | 2 Kings 14:26 (prophetic insight) |
| Hosea 8:5 | ...how long will it be before they are... | Hosea 8:5 (apostasy consequence) |
| Micah 1:5 | ...and for the sins of the house of Israel. | Micah 1:5 (national sin) |
| Nahum 3:7 | ...and she will be desolate. | Nahum 3:7 (judgment on Nineveh) |
| Matthew 23:38 | Your house is left to you desolate. | Matthew 23:38 (Jerusalem's fate) |
| Acts 5:38 | ...if this plan or this undertaking is... | Acts 5:38 (warning against opposing God) |
| Romans 11:22 | Behold therefore the goodness and severity... | Romans 11:22 (divine dealings) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | But God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted... | 1 Corinthians 10:13 (God's provision for escape) |
| Hebrews 12:6 | For the Lord disciplines the one He loves... | Hebrews 12:6 (discipline for love) |
| Hebrews 12:29 | For our God is a consuming fire. | Hebrews 12:29 (God's nature) |
| Revelation 6:17 | ...who can stand? | Revelation 6:17 (final judgment) |
| Psalm 89:32 | Then I will punish their transgression... | Psalm 89:32 (punishment for sin) |
| Deuteronomy 28:63 | ...the Lord will rejoice to do you good... | Deuteronomy 28:63 (contrast of blessing/curse) |
| Amos 9:10 | ...all the sinners of my people shall... | Amos 9:10 (consequence of sin) |
| Isaiah 5:30 | They will roar over it on that day... | Isaiah 5:30 (imagery of judgment) |
Amos 7 verses
Amos 7 8 Meaning
The Lord revealed a vision of a plumb line, signifying divine judgment. God declared He would no longer spare His people, Israel. This indicates a coming time of reckoning for their sins.
Amos 7 8 Context
In Amos chapter 7, the prophet Amos is depicted facing opposition from Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amaziah tells Amos to stop prophesying, interpreting his words as a threat to the king's livelihood. God then gives Amos a series of visions (grasshopper plague, fire, plumb line) illustrating coming judgment. Verse 8 is part of God's explanation of the plumb line vision to Amos, emphasizing the imminent and comprehensive destruction of Israel because of their persistent iniquity. This takes place during a time of prosperity for Israel under King Jeroboam II, yet also a period of deep spiritual and moral corruption.
Amos 7 8 Word Analysis
וְאָמַר יְהוָה (V'amar Yahweh): "And the Lord said".
- וְ (v'): "and". Conjunction, connecting this statement to the preceding vision and explanation.
- אָמַר (amar): "said". Perfect tense, indicating a completed declaration or decree.
- יְהוָה (Yahweh): The personal covenant name of God. Highlights His authority and His relationship with Israel.
עוֹד ('od): "again", "more", "still", "yet". In this context, it emphasizes the cessation of divine forbearance.
לֹא (lo): "not". A straightforward negation.
אוֹסִיף ('osif): "I will pass over", "I will spare", "I will pardon".
- First person singular, Hiphil (causative) future of the verb 'asah (to do, to make). Here it means "to spare" or "to grant further passage/opportunity."
- The Hiphil causative aspect implies that God's previous "passing over" or sparing was an active choice, and now He will actively cease doing so.
לוֹ (lo): "to him", "for him", "them". Refers to the people of Israel.
Word Group Analysis:
- "And the Lord said, I will not again pass by them anymore." (וְאָמַר יְהוָה עוֹד לֹא אוֹסִיף לוֹ) This phrase signifies a decisive end to God's tolerance or patience. The "again" implies past instances of sparing, but that period is over. "Not pass by" conveys the idea of not overlooking or letting it go unpunished any longer.
Amos 7 8 Bonus Section
This verse reflects a theological principle concerning divine justice and human responsibility. While God is merciful and long-suffering (Exodus 34:6), His justice demands accountability for unrepented sin. The concept of "passing over" signifies God's forbearance and opportunities for repentance. The cessation of this forbearance highlights the severity of Israel's condition. This echoes the consequences faced by other nations and even unrepentant Israelites, as seen in various prophetic pronouncements and Jesus' own lament over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-38). The ultimate inability of Israel to "stand" when measured by God's standard leads directly to their impending devastation, a theme consistently woven throughout Scripture concerning disobedience.
Amos 7 8 Commentary
The plumb line symbolizes God's standard of righteousness. Israel, found wanting when measured against this plumb line, will face unqualified judgment. God's declaration, "I will not again pass by them anymore," is a stern pronouncement of judgment. It signifies that Israel has exhausted God's grace and patience due to their pervasive sin and rejection of His ways. This is not a capricious judgment but a righteous response to their apostasy. It speaks to the reality that God's mercy has limits when confronted with persistent rebellion. The people had been warned and disciplined, yet they continued in their defiant sin.