Amos 6:13

Translations

Modern

…you who rejoice in Lo-debar and say, ‘Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?’

Traditional

Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?

Literal

…being glad in Lo-debar, saying, ‘Is it not by our own strength that we have taken for ourselves Karnaim?’

Latin

Qui lætamini in nihilo; qui dicitis: Numquid non in fortitudine nostra assumpsimus nobis cornua?

Original

Hebrew

English

…you who rejoice in Lo-debar and say, ‘Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?’

Notes

Amos 6:13

Lo-debar and Karnaim were areas that Jeroboam II took back from the Arameans (see 2 Kings 14:25–28). Amos uses wordplay with their names (see Berean Stand Bible textual notes).

Lo-debar sounds like a Hebrew phrase meaning “nothing” or “no word.” Karnaim sounds like a word meaning “horns,” which were a symbol of strength or power. By using these names, the prophet suggests that what Israel celebrates as strength and success is actually empty and powerless. In the book of Amos, this wordplay supports his message that military victories do not prove God’s favor.

Amos 5:18–6:14

The pronouncements of sorrow in this section develop two main themes:

Israel’s apostasy (turning away from God) would make the day of the Lord a day of judgment, not salvation; and
Judah’s spiritual complacency (feeling satisfied and unconcerned about faithfulness to God) would also bring judgment.

Events

Prophecies of Amos

Related verses

Isaiah 28:14–15
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
Luke 12:19–20
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
2 Kings 14:25
This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher.
James 4:16
As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.
Job 8:15
He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.
Judges 16:23–25
Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.”
Revelation 11:10
And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
Judges 9:27
And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
1 Samuel 4:5
When the ark of the covenant of the LORD entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a great shout that the ground shook.
Job 31:29
If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—
Isaiah 7:4
…and say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.
Exodus 32:18–19
But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”

Places

Ashteroth-karnaim: Ancient city defeated by Chedorlaomer Lo-debar: A town in Gilead; home of Mephibosheth

Glossary

Book of Amos Debir (Place) Karnaim Lo-debar

Topics

Confidence: False Horn: Symbolical Rulers: Wicked Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning

Amos 6:13

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics