Amos 3:6

Authorized King James Version

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Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִתָּקַ֤ע be blown H8628
יִתָּקַ֤ע be blown
Strong's: H8628
Word #: 2 of 14
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
שׁוֹפָר֙ Shall a trumpet H7782
שׁוֹפָר֙ Shall a trumpet
Strong's: H7782
Word #: 3 of 14
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
בְּעִ֔יר in a city H5892
בְּעִ֔יר in a city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 4 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְעָ֖ם and the people H5971
וְעָ֖ם and the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 5 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֶחֱרָ֑דוּ not be afraid H2729
יֶחֱרָ֑דוּ not be afraid
Strong's: H2729
Word #: 7 of 14
to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 8 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּהְיֶ֤ה H1961
תִּהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רָעָה֙ shall there be evil H7451
רָעָה֙ shall there be evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 10 of 14
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
בְּעִ֔יר in a city H5892
בְּעִ֔יר in a city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 11 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וַיהוָ֖ה and the LORD H3068
וַיהוָ֖ה and the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 13 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָשָֽׂה׃ hath not done H6213
עָשָֽׂה׃ hath not done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 14 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis & Commentary

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? (אִם־יִתָּקַע שׁוֹפָר בְּעִיר וְעָם לֹא יֶחֱרָדוּ)—The shofar (ram's horn trumpet) signaled military invasion, summoning citizens to defensive action. Charad (be afraid/tremble) describes the visceral terror when enemy attack is announced. Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? (אִם־תִּהְיֶה רָעָה בְּעִיר וַיהוָה לֹא עָשָׂה)—Ra'ah (evil/calamity) here means disaster, not moral evil. This climactic question asserts God's absolute sovereignty over judgment.

The final cause-effect pair reaches theological bedrock: no calamity occurs without divine agency. This doesn't make God the author of sin but affirms His sovereign governance even in judgment. When Assyria destroys Israel (fulfilled 722 BC), it won't be geopolitical accident but covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:49-52). The Reformers emphasized this: God's providential control extends to all events, including judgments that use secondary human agents. Isaiah declares the same truth: 'I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil' (Isaiah 45:7).

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern cities relied on watchmen who blew the shofar when spotting approaching armies (Ezekiel 33:1-6). The sound triggered immediate community response: securing water, barricading gates, mustering militia. Hearing the shofar without responding meant certain death. Amos uses this to show Israel's complacency despite prophetic warnings.

Questions for Reflection