Amos 1:3

Authorized King James Version

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Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:

Original Language Analysis

כֹּ֚ה H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 17
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 17
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 17
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 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פִּשְׁעֵ֣י transgressions H6588
פִּשְׁעֵ֣י transgressions
Strong's: H6588
Word #: 6 of 17
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
דַמֶּ֔שֶׂק of Damascus H1834
דַמֶּ֔שֶׂק of Damascus
Strong's: H1834
Word #: 7 of 17
damascus, a city of syria
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 17
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 17
four
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 17
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 17
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 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דּוּשָׁ֛ם the punishment thereof because they have threshed H1758
דּוּשָׁ֛ם the punishment thereof because they have threshed
Strong's: H1758
Word #: 13 of 17
to trample or thresh
בַּחֲרֻצ֥וֹת with threshing instruments H2742
בַּחֲרֻצ֥וֹת with threshing instruments
Strong's: H2742
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp tee
הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל of iron H1270
הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל of iron
Strong's: H1270
Word #: 15 of 17
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגִּלְעָֽד׃ Gilead H1568
הַגִּלְעָֽד׃ Gilead
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 17 of 17
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

Cross References

Isaiah 8:4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.Amos 2:6Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;Amos 1:9Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:2 Kings 8:12And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.Amos 2:4Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:Amos 1:6Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:Amos 1:13Thus 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:Amos 2:1Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:Zechariah 9:1The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.Amos 1:11Thus 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:

Analysis & Commentary

Amos begins oracles against nations: 'Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron.' The formula 'for three transgressions... and for four' is Hebrew numeric escalation indicating fullness/completion of sin—measuring cup overflowing. Damascus (Syria/Aram) committed atrocities against Gilead (Israelite territory east of Jordan). 'Threshing with iron instruments' describes brutal torture—crushing prisoners under spiked threshing sledges used for grain. This war crime provoked divine judgment. The pattern establishes principle: God judges all nations (not just Israel) for inhumanity. His moral law binds pagans too; violating it brings consequences (Romans 1:18-32, 2:14-15). God's justice is universal.

Historical Context

Syria/Aram, capital Damascus, frequently warred with Israel during the divided kingdom era (1 Kings 15:18-20, 20:1-34, 2 Kings 6:8-23, 8:28-29, 13:1-7). King Hazael's campaigns (2 Kings 10:32-33, 13:3-7) likely included the atrocities Amos references. Archaeological evidence and Assyrian records confirm regional warfare's brutality. That God judges pagan nations for war crimes demonstrates His sovereignty extends beyond Israel; He holds all peoples accountable to basic moral standards reflecting His character. Amos proceeds to pronounce judgment on six surrounding nations (chapters 1-2) before culminating with Israel and Judah—showing God's impartial justice. The nations' judgments were fulfilled through Assyrian and Babylonian conquests.

Questions for Reflection