Amos 1:6
Thus 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:
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
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
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
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
הַגְלוֹתָ֛ם
the punishment thereof because they carried away captive
H1540
הַגְלוֹתָ֛ם
the punishment thereof because they carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
13 of 17
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
שְׁלֵמָ֖ה
the whole
H8003
שְׁלֵמָ֖ה
the whole
Strong's:
H8003
Word #:
15 of 17
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
Cross References
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:2 Chronicles 28:18The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.Obadiah 1:11In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.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:1 Samuel 6:17And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;Joel 3:6The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.Ezekiel 35:5Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:Jeremiah 47:1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.Zechariah 9:5Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.Amos 1:3Thus 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:
Historical Context
Philistine cities, including Gaza, frequently raided Israelite and other territories for slaves. Ancient slave trade was lucrative and widespread. Edom's participation made them accessories. Both faced judgment—Gaza through various conquerors, ultimately disappearing from history. This demonstrates that God keeps His word and holds nations accountable across generations until justice is satisfied.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the doctrine of imago Dei shape Christian engagement with modern human trafficking?
- What forms of economic or social oppression might we unknowingly participate in today?
Analysis & Commentary
Amos continues oracles against nations, now Gaza: "Thus 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." Gaza's crime was comprehensive human trafficking—"the whole captivity" indicates entire communities, not just individuals. They sold these captives to Edom, compounding injustice. God's wrath against human trafficking permeates Scripture (Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 24:7, 1 Timothy 1:10, Revelation 18:13). The Reformed doctrine of the image of God (imago Dei) establishes human dignity as foundational—every person bears God's image (Genesis 1:26-27), making slavery, trafficking, and dehumanization especially heinous. Christ came to "set at liberty them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18)—His gospel brings both spiritual and, in application, physical liberation.