Amos 3:10
For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֥וּ
For they know
H3045
יָדְע֥וּ
For they know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 10
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
עֲשׂוֹת
not to do
H6213
עֲשׂוֹת
not to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
נְכֹחָ֖ה
right
H5229
נְכֹחָ֖ה
right
Strong's:
H5229
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, straightforwardness, i.e., (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.Zephaniah 1:9In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.Psalms 14:4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
Historical Context
During Jeroboam II's reign (793-753 BC), Israel experienced unprecedented prosperity through military expansion and trade. The wealthy elite accumulated luxury goods through predatory lending, land seizure, and corrupt courts. Amos confronts this 'prosperity gospel'—wealth divorced from justice proves spiritual bankruptcy.
Questions for Reflection
- How might modern Christians 'store up violence and robbery' through economic systems we benefit from but don't examine?
- What does it mean to lose the ability to recognize what is right due to cultural or economic complicity in injustice?
- How can churches today avoid confusing material prosperity with God's blessing when it's built on exploitation?
Analysis & Commentary
They know not to do right (וְלֹא־יָדְעוּ עֲשׂוֹת־נְכֹחָה, v'lo yad'u asot n'chochah)—The Hebrew יָדְעוּ (yad'u, 'to know') implies not mere intellectual ignorance but moral corruption; they've lost the capacity to recognize righteousness. The word נְכֹחָה (n'chochah, 'right, straight, honest') contrasts with their crooked dealings. Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces (הָאוֹצְרִים חָמָס וָשֹׁד בְּאַרְמְנוֹתֵיהֶם, ha'otz'rim chamas v'shod b'armenoteihem)—their wealth is 'stored up' violence (חָמָס, chamas) and plunder (שֹׁד, shod).
This indicts economic systems built on exploitation. Their palaces—symbols of success—are actually warehouses of injustice. James 5:1-6 echoes this: the wages of defrauded workers cry out to God. When injustice becomes normalized, people lose moral clarity entirely.