Keraia
Amos 2

Amos 2:4

Judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel · Amos 2:1–16
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Translations

Modern
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they reject the Law of the LORD and fail to keep His statutes; they are led astray by the lies in which their fathers walked.
Traditional
Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:
Literal
Thus says YHWH: “Over three transgressions of Judah, even over four, I will not turn back—over their rejecting the law of YHWH, and they did not keep His commandments, and their lies have led them astray, after which their fathers have walked!
Latin
Hæc dicit Dominus: Super tribus sceleribus Juda, et super quatuor non convertam eum, eo quod abjecerit legem Domini et mandata ejus non custodierit: deceperant enim eos idola sua, post quæ abierant patres eorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they reject the Law of the LORD and fail to keep His statutes; they are led astray by the lies in which their fathers walked.

Notes

Amos 2:4

  • reject the Law (Hebrew torah) of the LORD: The pagan nations mentioned earlier committed acts against basic human decency. However, Judah went further; they had God's word but rejected its teachings (see Hosea 4:6; 8:1). God holds people accountable based on the privileges they have received (see Amos 3:2).

  • led astray by the lies: After discarding God's true instruction, Judah turned to a substitute found in pagan syncretism (the mixing of different belief systems) and idolatry (see 1 Kings 14:22–24).

Amos 2:4–5

The southern kingdom of Judah was closest to the northern kingdom of Israel in family ties and location. Even so, deep bitterness existed between the two kingdoms.

People in the north viewed the descendants of David in the south as harsh rulers. They believed these kings caused the division between the kingdoms by forcing people to work and by placing heavy taxes on them.

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.

Events

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Book of Amos Book of Jeremiah Hell Lord

Topics

Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel National Sins: Aggravated by Privileges Parents: when Wicked: Set a Bad Example to Their Children Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments The Law of God: The Wicked: Despise