Amos 3:15

Authorized King James Version

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And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וְהִכֵּיתִ֥י And I will smite H5221
וְהִכֵּיתִ֥י And I will smite
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 1 of 14
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses H1004
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 2 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַחֹ֖רֶף the winter H2779
הַחֹ֖רֶף the winter
Strong's: H2779
Word #: 3 of 14
properly, the crop gathered, i.e., (by implication) the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively, ripeness of age
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses H1004
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 5 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַקָּ֑יִץ with the summer H7019
הַקָּ֑יִץ with the summer
Strong's: H7019
Word #: 6 of 14
harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season
וְאָבְד֞וּ shall perish H6
וְאָבְד֞וּ shall perish
Strong's: H6
Word #: 7 of 14
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses H1004
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 8 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַשֵּׁ֗ן of ivory H8127
הַשֵּׁ֗ן of ivory
Strong's: H8127
Word #: 9 of 14
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
וְסָפ֛וּ shall have an end H5486
וְסָפ֛וּ shall have an end
Strong's: H5486
Word #: 10 of 14
to snatch away, i.e., terminate
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses H1004
בָּתִּ֥ים and the houses
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 11 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
רַבִּ֖ים and the great H7227
רַבִּ֖ים and the great
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 12 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 13 of 14
an oracle
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

I will smite the winter house with the summer house (וְהִכֵּיתִי בֵית־הַחֹרֶף עַל־בֵּית הַקָּיִץ, v'hikeiti beit-hachoref al-beit hakayitz)—The wealthy maintained separate residences for different seasons; winter houses were typically in valleys, summer houses on cool heights. God will strike both simultaneously. The houses of ivory shall perish (וְאָבְדוּ בָּתֵּי הַשֵּׁן, v'avdu batei hashen, literally 'houses of tooth/ivory')—ivory inlays represented extreme luxury (1 Kings 22:39 mentions Ahab's ivory house). The great houses shall have an end (וְסָפוּ בָּתִּים רַבִּים, v'safu batim rabim)—utter destruction.

This passage condemns not wealth itself but wealth gained through oppression (Amos 3:10) and maintained through indifference to poverty (Amos 6:4-6). Jesus echoed this in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21)—accumulated luxury without God is death. Archaeological excavations at Samaria confirm extensive ivory decorations, fulfilling this prophecy's specificity.

Historical Context

The Northern Kingdom's aristocracy lived in unprecedented luxury during Jeroboam II's reign. Ivory fragments discovered at Samaria (1931-1935 excavations) confirm palace opulence. When Assyria conquered in 722 BC, these houses were destroyed—the wealthy who trusted in comfort experienced the judgment they'd ignored.

Questions for Reflection