Keraia
Amos 9

Amos 9:3

The Destruction of Israel · Amos 9:1–10
Read Amos 9

Translations

Modern
Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.
Traditional
And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:
Literal
And if they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, from there I will search and will take them; and if they hide from My eyes at the bottom of the sea, from there I will command the serpent, and it will bite them!
Latin
Et si absconditi fuerint in vertice Carmeli, inde scrutans auferam eos; et si celaverint se ab oculis meis in profundo maris, ibi mandabo serpenti, et mordebit eos.

Original

Hebrew
English
Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.

Notes

Amos 9:3

  • Mount Carmel is not the tallest mountain in the area, but it often symbolizes the land's beauty and richness.

  • the serpent: In the ancient Near East, people saw the sea as a symbol of chaos, often opposing the national god (compare Psalms 74:14; 89:10; 104:26). The biblical text does not treat the sea monster as a god. Leviathan, also called Rahab, is shown as a creature under the Lord’s authority (Psalm 89:9–10). God commands and judges this creature, showing his power over it (Isaiah 27:1).

    In this passage, Amos shows that God has power over everything. Even the sea serpent must obey him and serve his purposes.

Amos 9:2–4

God is everywhere (compare Psalm 139:7–12). When people trust, believe, and obey God, his presence is a great blessing. However, because Israel rejected God's message, his presence would bring judgment instead of comfort.

Amos 7:1–9:10

This section contains five visions. It is helpful to compare how these visions develop with the judgments listed earlier in Amos 4:6–11.

The judgments listed there include:

  • famine,

  • drought,

  • destruction of crops,

  • plagues, and

  • widespread destruction.

Events

Places

Carmel: Town in Judah; home of Nabal and Abigail

Glossary

Apocalyptic Book of Amos Carmel Serpent

Topics

Carmel: A Fertile and Picturesque Mountain in Palestine: Caves of God: Knowledge of Judgments: No Escape From Select Readings: The Wrath of God Serpent: Sea Serpent Sin: Known to God Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of