Keraia
Amos 2

Amos 2:7

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

Translations

Modern
They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.
Traditional
That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:
Literal
They pant after the dust of the earth on the heads of the poor, out of their way they stretch aside the humble, and a man and his father go into the same girl, in order to defile the name of My holiness.
Latin
Qui conterunt super pulverem terræ capita pauperum, et viam humilium declinant: et filius ac pater ejus ierunt ad puellam, ut violarent nomen sanctum meum.

Original

Hebrew
English
They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.

Notes

Amos 2:7

  • To trample on people means to treat them in a harsh and cruel way (see also Amos 8:4).

  • The helpless and oppressed suffered under a system that refused to give them the justice the law required (Exodus 23:6–8).

  • When a father and son slept with the same woman, it showed how morally broken the people of Israel had become. The law given through Moses clearly forbade this behavior (Leviticus 18:7–8, 15; 20:11–12).

  • profane my holy name: By worshiping fertility gods, Israel and nearby nations practiced “sacred prostitution” (see Hosea 4:10–14). They believed sexual relations with a shrine prostitute would ensure good crops and healthy livestock. This verse suggests these acts were done in the name of the Lord. When performed as religious rituals, these corrupt actions treated God’s name as worthless.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Social Justice True Justice

Events

Glossary

Alms Beggar Book of Amos Book of Jeremiah Hell Lord Neighbor Prophecy

Topics

Incest: The People of Israel Poor: Oppressions of Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments