Amos 2:1
Thus 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:
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
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
7 of 17
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
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
שָׂרְפ֛וֹ
the punishment thereof because he burned
H8313
שָׂרְפ֛וֹ
the punishment thereof because he burned
Strong's:
H8313
Word #:
13 of 17
to be (causatively, set) on fire
עַצְמ֥וֹת
the bones
H6106
עַצְמ֥וֹת
the bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
14 of 17
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
Cross References
Isaiah 25:10For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.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 1:3Thus 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:Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.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: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 2:6Thus 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:
Historical Context
Moab occupied the plateau east of the Dead Sea, descended from Lot through an incestuous relationship with his daughter (Genesis 19:30-37). This shameful origin contributed to ongoing hostility with Israel, though Deuteronomy 23:3-6 forbade Moabite entry into the assembly while commanding kinder treatment than for Ammonites. Ruth the Moabitess became the great-grandmother of David, showing God's grace transcending ethnic barriers.
The burning of Edomite bones likely occurred during border conflicts between Moab and Edom, both small kingdoms competing for territory and trade routes. The act represented ultimate contempt—not satisfied with killing the king in battle, Moabites exhumed and desecrated his remains. This violated universal standards of human dignity, provoking divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on Moab for violating Edomite dignity (not Israelite) demonstrate that He holds all nations accountable to universal moral law rooted in the image of God?
- What modern equivalents to desecrating human remains (denial of proper burial, treatment of bodies with contempt, abuse of prisoners' corpses) should provoke moral outrage today?
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof—The oracle against Moab uses the same formulaic structure as previous judgments. The escalating numbers "three... and for four" (Hebrew al-sheloshah... ve'al-arba'ah) indicate fullness of guilt—Moab has committed crimes beyond measure, crossing every threshold. Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime—Al sorfo atsmot melekh-Edom lasid (עַל שָׂרְפוֹ עַצְמוֹת מֶלֶךְ־אֱדוֹם לַשִּׂיד). The Hebrew sorfo (burning) and lasid (to lime/powder) describe desecration of royal remains, reducing them to ash used for construction material.
This specific charge is unique among Amos's oracles. While other nations are condemned for atrocities against Israel (Gaza and Tyre for slave trafficking, Edom for perpetual hatred, Ammon for ripping up pregnant women—1:13), Moab is judged for violating Edomite royal remains. This demonstrates a profound theological principle: God judges nations not only for crimes against His people but for violating universal moral law reflected in treatment of all humans. Desecrating corpses—especially royal remains—violated ancient Near Eastern conventions regarding proper burial and respect for the dead.
The specific incident isn't recorded in Scripture but likely refers to warfare between Moab and Edom, possibly related to conflicts mentioned in 2 Kings 3:4-27. The point is that extreme dishonor to human remains—even enemies—offends God because humans bear His image (Genesis 9:6). This aligns with Mosaic law requiring proper burial even for executed criminals (Deuteronomy 21:22-23), a principle Paul references regarding Christ's crucifixion (Galatians 3:13). Moab's violation revealed contemptuous disregard for human dignity that warranted divine retribution.