Amos 2:16
And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
לִבּ֖וֹ
H3820
לִבּ֖וֹ
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
2 of 9
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בַּגִּבּוֹרִ֑ים
among the mighty
H1368
בַּגִּבּוֹרִ֑ים
among the mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
3 of 9
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
יָנ֥וּס
shall flee away
H5127
יָנ֥וּס
shall flee away
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
5 of 9
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
בַּיּוֹם
in that day
H3117
בַּיּוֹם
in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Historical Context
Moabite warriors were renowned for courage (2 Kings 3:26-27 records their desperation in battle). Yet Nebuchadnezzar's armies stripped them of both armor and land. The 'nakedness' fulfills the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:48—Israel's judgment falling on nations who opposed God's purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to face judgment 'naked'—without the covering of Christ's righteousness?
- How does this verse challenge cultures that glorify human courage and strength as ultimate values?
- In what areas of life are you trusting your own 'courage' rather than seeking refuge in God?
Analysis & Commentary
He that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day (וְאַמִּיץ לִבּוֹ בַגִּבּוֹרִים עָרוֹם יָנוּס, v'amitz libo bagiborim arom yanus)—The Hebrew emphasizes irony: אַמִּיץ (amitz) means 'strong, courageous,' yet even the bravest warrior flees עָרוֹם (arom, 'naked, stripped of armor'). The stripping represents complete defeat and humiliation; ancient warriors viewed losing armor as disgrace worse than death. Saith the LORD seals this as prophetic certainty, not military speculation.
This reversal motif appears throughout Scripture: the proud brought low (Isaiah 2:11-17), the mighty made weak (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Human courage crumbles before divine judgment—no bravado, ideology, or self-confidence can stand when God rises to judge. Only those covered in Christ's righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) have a covering that endures judgment.