Keraia
Amos 1

Amos 1:5

Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors · Amos 1:1–15
Read Amos 1

Translations

Modern
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.
Traditional
I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the Lord.
Literal
And I will break the bar of Damascus, and I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one holding a scepter from Beth-eden, and the people of Aram will be removed to Kir,” says YHWH.
Latin
Et conteram vectem Damasci: et disperdam habitatorem de campo idoli, et tenentem sceptrum de domo voluptatis: et transferetur populus Syriæ Cyrenen, dicit Dominus.

Original

Hebrew
English
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

Notes

Amos 1:5

  • Aven and Beth-eden were both linked with Aram and Damascus. The name Aven means “evil” or “wickedness.” It refers to the valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains, also known as the plain of Damascus. Beth-eden was a small city-state north of Aram. In other biblical texts, it is simply called Eden (2 Kings 19:12; Ezekiel 27:23).

  • The Arameans originally came from Kir (Amos 9:7), probably in southern Babylonia. When Damascus fell, Assyria forced the Arameans to return to Kir (2 Kings 16:9). Just as Egypt symbolized captivity for Israel (see Deuteronomy 28:68), Kir became a symbol of captivity for Aram.

Amos 1:3–5

Damascus, the capital of Aram, treated the people of Gilead with great cruelty. Gilead was Israel’s land east of the Jordan River.

By the time Ahab died in 853 BC, Damascus had taken Ramoth in Gilead (1 Kings 22:3). Around 801 BC, Assyria captured Damascus. After this, the city never again had the power it once did.

Amos 1:3–2:16

This prophecy's eight judgments start with the most obvious enemy, Damascus, and end with the least obvious, Israel itself. This order would have captured Israel's attention as they listened to God's judgment on their enemies. However, Amos eventually revealed God's judgment on Israel, too.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Messages Against the Nations

Events

Parallels

Jeremiah 12:14–17

Places

Beth-eden: Place associated with the rulers of Aram (Syria) Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history Kir: A city or region in Mesopotamia, possibly Elam Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict Valley of Aven: Plain near Damascus, prophesied to be destroyed

Glossary

Aven Beth-Eden Book of Amos Book of Jeremiah Damascus Heliopolis Hell Kir Lord Nations Scepter Syria, Syrians

Topics

Aven: |The Plain of the Sun| Damascus: Prophecies Concerning Eden: A Marketplace of Costly Merchandise Kir: Prophecies Concerning Syria: Prophecies Concerning