Amos 1:11

Authorized King James Version

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Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

Original Language Analysis

כֹּ֚ה H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ For three H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ For three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 5 of 23
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פִּשְׁעֵ֣י transgressions H6588
פִּשְׁעֵ֣י transgressions
Strong's: H6588
Word #: 6 of 23
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
אֱד֔וֹם of Edom H123
אֱד֔וֹם of Edom
Strong's: H123
Word #: 7 of 23
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַרְבָּעָ֖ה and for four H702
אַרְבָּעָ֖ה and for four
Strong's: H702
Word #: 9 of 23
four
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ I will not turn away H7725
אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ I will not turn away
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 11 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רָדְפ֨וֹ the punishment thereof because he did pursue H7291
רָדְפ֨וֹ the punishment thereof because he did pursue
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 13 of 23
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
בַחֶ֤רֶב with the sword H2719
בַחֶ֤רֶב with the sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 14 of 23
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אָחִיו֙ his brother H251
אָחִיו֙ his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 15 of 23
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְשִׁחֵ֣ת and did cast off H7843
וְשִׁחֵ֣ת and did cast off
Strong's: H7843
Word #: 16 of 23
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
רַחֲמָ֔יו all pity H7356
רַחֲמָ֔יו all pity
Strong's: H7356
Word #: 17 of 23
compassion (in the plural)
וַיִּטְרֹ֤ף did tear H2963
וַיִּטְרֹ֤ף did tear
Strong's: H2963
Word #: 18 of 23
to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
לָעַד֙ perpetually H5703
לָעַד֙ perpetually
Strong's: H5703
Word #: 19 of 23
properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit
אַפּ֔וֹ and his anger H639
אַפּ֔וֹ and his anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 20 of 23
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְעֶבְרָת֖וֹ his wrath H5678
וְעֶבְרָת֖וֹ his wrath
Strong's: H5678
Word #: 21 of 23
an outburst of passion
שְׁמָ֥רָה and he kept H8104
שְׁמָ֥רָה and he kept
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 22 of 23
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
נֶֽצַח׃ for ever H5331
נֶֽצַח׃ for ever
Strong's: H5331
Word #: 23 of 23
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

Analysis & Commentary

Amos addresses Edom: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever." Edom's crime was betraying kinship obligations. As Esau's descendants, they were Jacob's (Israel's) relatives, yet they "pursued with the sword" and "cast off pity" (Hebrew racham—maternal compassion/womb-love). The phrases "anger did tear perpetually" and "kept wrath forever" describe nurturing hatred, refusing forgiveness, cultivating vengeance. This sustained malice particularly angered God. The sin wasn't one-time offense but deliberate, perpetual hostility. Reformed theology recognizes degrees of sin—all sin deserves death, yet some sins are more heinous due to knowledge, relationship, or persistence (Luke 12:47-48, John 19:11, James 4:17).

Historical Context

Edom's hostility toward Israel stretched back to Moses's time when they refused passage through their territory (Numbers 20:14-21). They celebrated Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem, cut off fleeing refugees, and looted the city (Obadiah 10-14, Psalm 137:7, Ezekiel 25:12-14, 35:5). This betrayal during Israel's darkest hour earned devastating judgment—Edom was eventually displaced by Nabateans, forced into southern Judea (Idumea), forcibly converted to Judaism during the Maccabean period, and disappeared after AD 70. God keeps His word.

Questions for Reflection