Amos 9:7 kjv
Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
Amos 9:7 nkjv
"Are you not like the people of Ethiopia to Me, O children of Israel?" says the LORD. "Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, The Philistines from Caphtor, And the Syrians from Kir?
Amos 9:7 niv
"Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?" declares the LORD. "Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?
Amos 9:7 esv
"Are you not like the Cushites to me, O people of Israel?" declares the LORD. "Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?
Amos 9:7 nlt
"Are you Israelites more important to me
than the Ethiopians? " asks the LORD.
"I brought Israel out of Egypt,
but I also brought the Philistines from Crete
and led the Arameans out of Kir.
Amos 9 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Amos 9:7 | "Are you not like the children of Ethiopia to me, O Israel?" | Amos 9:7 |
| Deut 7:6 | "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God..." | Deut 7:6 (Divine selection) |
| Ps 87:4 | "I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know me..." | Ps 87:4 (Inclusion of Gentiles) |
| Isa 43:1 | "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob..." | Isa 43:1 (God's sovereignty) |
| Isa 45:11 | "Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel and his Maker..." | Isa 45:11 (God as Maker of all) |
| Jer 49:28 | "Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar..." | Jer 49:28 (God's judgment on nations) |
| Ezek 2:3 | "And he said to me, 'Son of man, I send you to the people of..." | Ezek 2:3 (Prophet's mission) |
| Ezek 18:4 | "Behold, all souls are mine..." | Ezek 18:4 (God's ownership) |
| Ezek 36:22 | "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord..." | Ezek 36:22 (God's concern for His name) |
| Dan 4:17 | "... by the counsel of watchers and by the word of the holy..." | Dan 4:17 (Sovereignty of the Most High) |
| Matt 3:9 | "And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as..." | Matt 3:9 (Spiritual lineage vs. physical) |
| Matt 21:43 | "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away..." | Matt 21:43 (Kingdom transferred) |
| Luke 3:8 | "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin..." | Luke 3:8 (Fruits of repentance) |
| John 4:21 | "Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe me, the hour is coming..." | John 4:21 (Worship in spirit and truth) |
| Acts 10:34 | "So Peter opened his mouth and said, 'Truly I understand that..." | Acts 10:34 (God shows no partiality) |
| Acts 17:26 | "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live..." | Acts 17:26 (Common humanity) |
| Rom 3:29 | "Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too?" | Rom 3:29 (God of all people) |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews..." | 1 Cor 12:13 (Unity in the Spirit) |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor..." | Gal 3:28 (No distinction in Christ) |
| Col 3:11 | "Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised..." | Col 3:11 (Oneness in Christ) |
| Eph 2:14 | "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one..." | Eph 2:14 (Breaking down barriers) |
| Heb 11:24 | "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called..." | Heb 11:24 (Identity in Christ over worldly status) |
Amos 9 verses
Amos 9 7 Meaning
Amos 9:7 declares that God considers the people of Israel no different from the Ethiopians (Cushites), highlighting that His judgment and care extend universally, not being limited by national or ethnic distinctions. It underscores God's sovereign election and purpose, demonstrating that His calling of Israel was a specific divine choice, not based on inherent superiority, and that He is Lord of all nations.
Amos 9 7 Context
This verse appears in the concluding chapter of the book of Amos, a prophet known for his strong pronouncements of judgment against Israel, particularly their social injustices and idolatry. The surrounding verses (Amos 9:1-10) depict a severe, inescapable judgment coming upon Israel. However, verse 7 shifts to an explanation for this judgment and a foundational principle of God's governance. It occurs within a broader message of impending destruction for Judah and Israel, but it immediately pivots to the assurance of future restoration, emphasizing God's sovereign hand over all nations and His particular, elective love for Israel. The historical context involves the looming threat of Assyrian exile for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a consequence of their disobedience.
Amos 9 7 Word Analysis
- הֲלֹא (halô): A rhetorical question particle, often translated as "Are you not...?" or "Indeed not...?" It introduces a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer, implying that the statement that follows is self-evident.
- כִּבְנֵי (kivəney): Compound word. "ki" (כִּ) meaning "like" or "as," and "bəney" (בְּנֵי) meaning "sons of." Together, "like the sons of."
- כּוּשִׁי (kūšî): "Cushite." Refers to the people of Cush, historically associated with Nubia, south of Egypt, an ancient civilization known to the Israelites.
- לִי (lî): "To me" or "for me."
- יִשְׂרָאֵל (yiśərāʼēl): "Israel." The name of the covenant people of God.
- הֲלֹא introduces a profound question directed at Israel.
- כִּבְנֵי כוּשִׁי contrasts Israel with the Cushites, a foreign people, not of the Abrahamic lineage. This comparison emphasizes that God's view of people transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries.
- לִי signifies possession and a direct relationship between God and those He addresses.
- יִשְׂרָאֵל is the object of God's question and, by extension, His actions described in the surrounding verses.
Group Analysis: The phrase "Are you not like the children of Ethiopia to me, O Israel?" is a rhetorical assertion. It equates Israel's standing in God's eyes with that of the Cushites. This is not to say they are identical in their covenant relationship but that from God's universal perspective, their ethnicity is not the ultimate distinguishing factor in His sovereignty and judgment. God's election of Israel was a sovereign choice, not an inherent merit-based privilege.
Amos 9 7 Bonus Section
The Cushites (Ethiopians) were situated far to the south of Israel, often seen by the ancient Israelites as geographically and culturally distinct. Comparing Israel to them was a potent way to communicate that God's covenant relationship did not place them beyond His overarching governance or accountability compared to any other people. This verse powerfully underscores divine impartiality and universal sovereignty, principles fully unpacked in the New Testament with the inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom. It challenges any sense of ethnocentricity in God's dealings, asserting that all humanity falls under His purview.
Amos 9 7 Commentary
This verse serves as a theological cornerstone for understanding God's relationship with His people and the wider world. Amos confronts Israel's spiritual complacency by reminding them that God's universal scope includes all nations. He is not a tribal deity limited to one people. His judgment is impartial, and His power extends over Cush as it does over Israel. This highlights that Israel’s unique calling was an act of divine purpose, not a sign of racial superiority. Therefore, their sin carried specific weight because of their covenant relationship, but the principle of God’s oversight applies to everyone. This verse anticipates the New Testament theme that God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles, breaking down ethnic walls in Christ.