Amos 1:13
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 20
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 20
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֔וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֔וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
8 of 20
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 20
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 #:
12 of 20
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 #:
13 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בִּקְעָם֙
the punishment thereof because they have ripped up
H1234
בִּקְעָם֙
the punishment thereof because they have ripped up
Strong's:
H1234
Word #:
14 of 20
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
הַגִּלְעָ֔ד
of Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָ֔ד
of Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
16 of 20
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הַרְחִ֥יב
that they might enlarge
H7337
הַרְחִ֥יב
that they might enlarge
Strong's:
H7337
Word #:
18 of 20
to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Hosea 13:16Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.Isaiah 5:8Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!Ezekiel 35:10Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:
Historical Context
Ammon, descendants of Lot through incest (Genesis 19:30-38), frequently warred with Israel. The referenced atrocity likely occurred during border conflicts in Gilead (Transjordan). Ancient Near Eastern warfare often targeted civilians deliberately—genocide, rape, and brutality were commonplace. God's judgment on such atrocities demonstrates His universal moral law and compassion for victims, regardless of ethnicity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's condemnation of killing unborn children inform Christian pro-life engagement?
- What does Ammon's judgment teach about God's view of violence against vulnerable populations?
Analysis & Commentary
Amos addresses Ammon: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border." Ammon's atrocity—killing pregnant women to expand territory—demonstrates war's brutality and human depravity apart from divine grace. The phrase "ripped up" describes horrific violence against the most vulnerable. This crime combined several evils: murder, violence against women and children, and territorial greed. God's judgment falls because He values life from conception (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:41-44). The Reformed doctrine of total depravity doesn't mean all people are maximally evil but that sin affects every aspect of human nature, making us capable of horrific evil apart from restraining grace.