Amos 9 2

Amos 9:2 kjv

Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

Amos 9:2 nkjv

"Though they dig into hell, From there My hand shall take them; Though they climb up to heaven, From there I will bring them down;

Amos 9:2 niv

Though they dig down to the depths below, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens above, from there I will bring them down.

Amos 9:2 esv

"If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down.

Amos 9:2 nlt

"Even if they dig down to the place of the dead,
I will reach down and pull them up.
Even if they climb up into the heavens,
I will bring them down.

Amos 9 verses

Amos 9 2 Meaning

This verse describes a vision of divine judgment upon the people of Israel. It asserts that no one, not even those who flee or seek refuge, will escape God's unavoidable wrath. The imagery portrays a comprehensive and inescapable judgment that will pursue them wherever they go, whether into the deepest earth or to the highest heavens.

Amos 9 2 Context

This verse comes from the prophecy of Amos, delivered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of apparent prosperity but underlying spiritual decay and social injustice. The people were outwardly religious but inwardly corrupt, oppressing the poor and neglecting true righteousness. Amos was sent by God to pronounce judgment on their sins. Chapter 9 begins with a pronouncement of God's absolute sovereignty and inescapable judgment upon Israel. This specific verse serves to emphasize the certainty and totality of the coming divine retribution, leaving no room for evasion for those who have defied God's law and oppressed His people.

Amos 9 2 Word Analysis

• אִם (im) - "If" (conditional particle)
  • Signifies the introduction of a hypothetical situation.
• בָּרְחוּ (bar'chu) - "they flee" (verb, Hiphil, 3rd person plural, perfect)
  • Root: ברח (brach) - to flee, escape.
  • Indicates an active attempt to escape.
• מִשָּׁם (mishsham) - "from there" (prepositional phrase)
  • מִן (min) - from
  • שָׁם (sham) - there (adverb of place)
  • Points to a specific location from which they are fleeing.
• וְאִם (w'im) - "and if" (conjunction and conditional particle)
  • Adds a further, distinct scenario.
• יִתְחַבְּאוּ (yitḥabbeu) - "they hide themselves" or "conceal themselves" (verb, Hithpael, 3rd person plural, imperfect)
  • Root: חבא (ḥaba) - to hide, conceal.
  • Hithpael suggests a reflexive action – hiding themselves.
• בְּקֹדֶשׁ (b'qodesh) - "in the holy place" or "in the heights" (prepositional phrase)
  • בְּ (b' or bet) - in
  • קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) - holiness, sanctuary, sacred place, height.
  • This word can refer to the temple, a sanctuary, or generally high, inaccessible places like mountaintops. Given the contrast with "Sheol" (depths), "heights" is a strong interpretation, referring to the highest heavens or inaccessible mountains.
• מִשָּׁם (mishsham) - "from there" (prepositional phrase)
  • Repetition emphasizes escaping from that specific place of hiding.
• יָדִי (yadi) - "my hand" (noun, singular, feminine, possessive, 1st person)
  • יָד (yad) - hand
  • ִי (-i) - my (possessive suffix)
  • The "hand of God" is a powerful metaphor for divine power, action, and judgment.
• תִּקָּחֵם (tiqqachem) - "my hand shall take them" (verb, Qal, 3rd person feminine singular, imperfect, suffixed with 2nd person plural object pronoun)
  • Root: לקח (lqach) - to take.
  • The feminine singular form agrees with "hand" (יָדִ).
  • Implies capture and seizure, bringing them back under divine authority or judgment.

Group of words analysis:

• "Though they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, from there will I bring them down."
  • This rhetorical construction employs extreme spatial metaphors – the deepest abyss ("Sheol") and the highest heavens – to convey that no place on earth or beyond will be a sanctuary from God's judgment.
  • The parallel structure "though they... from there" underscores the futility of any escape attempt.
  • "My hand" represents God's active power and will to execute judgment. The possessive "my" stresses that this action is direct and personal.

Amos 9 2 Bonus Section

The concept of God's hand extending into "Sheol" (the realm of the dead or the grave) and "heaven" powerfully conveys His omnipresence and supreme authority, mirroring Psalm 139:8. While "Sheol" often refers to the underworld, in this context, digging into it signifies a desperate attempt to disappear or reach the deepest possible hiding place. Conversely, climbing to heaven speaks of seeking refuge in the highest, most inaccessible places or perhaps even in presumptuous self-elevation. Both extremities are covered by God's relentless hand of judgment. The Hebrew word for "heaven" (shamayim) can also carry connotations of "heights" or "high places," reinforcing the idea of seeking refuge on mountaintops or any elevated, seemingly secure location.

Amos 9 2 Commentary

This verse forcefully declares that God’s judgment is absolute and inescapable. It is a stern warning against seeking refuge in worldly schemes or inaccessible places when facing divine retribution for sin and disobedience. The prophet uses hyperbole to illustrate that whether one goes to the greatest depths of the earth or ascends to the highest heavens, God’s power will reach and apprehend them. This imagery is a stark reminder that one cannot outrun or hide from the Creator. The message echoes God’s omnipresence and His ultimate authority over all creation, making any attempt to evade His justice futile. It’s a call to face accountability rather than flee from it.