Amos 2:7
That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:
Original Language Analysis
הַשֹּׁאֲפִ֤ים
That pant
H7602
הַשֹּׁאֲפִ֤ים
That pant
Strong's:
H7602
Word #:
1 of 19
to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֲפַר
after the dust
H6083
עֲפַר
after the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
3 of 19
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ
on the head
H7218
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ
on the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
5 of 19
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
דַּלִּ֔ים
of the poor
H1800
דַּלִּ֔ים
of the poor
Strong's:
H1800
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
וְדֶ֥רֶךְ
the way
H1870
וְדֶ֥רֶךְ
the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 19
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
עֲנָוִ֖ים
of the meek
H6035
עֲנָוִ֖ים
of the meek
Strong's:
H6035
Word #:
8 of 19
depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)
יַטּ֑וּ
and turn aside
H5186
יַטּ֑וּ
and turn aside
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
9 of 19
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and a man
H376
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְאָבִ֗יו
and his father
H1
וְאָבִ֗יו
and his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יֵֽלְכוּ֙
will go
H3212
יֵֽלְכוּ֙
will go
Strong's:
H3212
Word #:
12 of 19
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה
in unto the same maid
H5291
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה
in unto the same maid
Strong's:
H5291
Word #:
14 of 19
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
לְמַ֥עַן
H4616
לְמַ֥עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
חַלֵּ֖ל
to profane
H2490
חַלֵּ֖ל
to profane
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Amos 5:12For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.Isaiah 10:2To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!Ezekiel 22:11And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.1 Corinthians 5:1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.Micah 2:2And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.Micah 2:9The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
Historical Context
Israel's prosperity under Jeroboam II (793-753 BC) created massive wealth inequality. Archaeological evidence shows monumental architecture for elites alongside modest homes for common people. The wealthy oppressed the poor through debt slavery, corrupt courts, and economic exploitation. Sexual immorality accompanied social injustice—classic pattern when covenant restraints are abandoned. Both wealth and sex became idols.
Questions for Reflection
- How do social injustice and sexual immorality often accompany each other in cultures abandoning God?
- In what ways does claiming God's name while living immorally profane that name today?
Analysis & Commentary
Continuing the indictment of Israel: "That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek." The phrase "pant after dust on the head" uses Hebrew imagery of extreme cruelty—they desired to see the poor in such distress they put dust on their heads (sign of mourning and humiliation). Israel's wealthy elite took pleasure in others' suffering. "Turn aside the way of the meek" means perverting justice, denying the vulnerable legal protection. The next clause is even more shocking: "and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name." This describes father and son both using the same young woman sexually—likely a servant or slave. This violated multiple laws (Leviticus 18:15, 19:29, 20:11) and profaned God's name by associating Him with such immorality.