Keraia
Amos 2

Amos 2:6

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 Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.
Traditional
Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;
Literal
Thus says YHWH: “Over three transgressions of Israel, even over four, I will not turn back—over their selling the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals.
Latin
Hæc dicit Dominus: Super tribus sceleribus Israël, et super quatuor non convertam eum, pro eo quod vendiderit pro argento justum, et pauperem pro calceamentis.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.

Notes

Amos 2:6

Honorable people are called the righteous. They lived in right relationship with God and with other people. When this word appears alongside poor, it describes the righteous needy, people who were both faithful and poor.

The law given through Moses urged those who had enough to help those in need by lending freely (Deuteronomy 15:7–11). As a last option, people who could not repay their debts could become bond servants. They would repay what they owed through their work (Leviticus 25:39–43).

In Amos’s time, these righteous needy were sold into bond service for a pair of sandals. This phrase is an exaggeration that shows how small the debt was (see Amos 8:6). The sandals may have been given as a pledge for the debt or used as a sign to confirm the agreement (see Ruth 4:7).

Amos 2:6–16

Israel: Amos listed the sins of Israel's neighbors, then revealed his main point: The Israelites would face the same consequences (similar to Nathan's use of prophetic speech to prompt self-judgment, 2 Samuel 12:1–13).

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

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Alms Beggar Book of Amos Book of Jeremiah Hell Lord Minerals and Metals Neighbor Prophecy

Topics

Bribery: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Oppressions of Presents were Given: To Judges to Secure a Favourable Hearing Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Shoe: Poor People Sold for a Pair of Shoes: Often Given As Bribes The Poor: The Wicked: Sell