Amos 4:2

Authorized King James Version

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The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Original Language Analysis

נִשְׁבַּ֨ע hath sworn H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֨ע hath sworn
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 1 of 15
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
אֲדֹנָ֤י The Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֤י The Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 2 of 15
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִה֙ GOD H3069
יְהוִה֙ GOD
Strong's: H3069
Word #: 3 of 15
god
בְּקָדְשׁ֔וֹ by his holiness H6944
בְּקָדְשׁ֔וֹ by his holiness
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 4 of 15
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִנֵּ֥ה H2009
הִנֵּ֥ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 6 of 15
lo!
יָמִ֖ים that lo the days H3117
יָמִ֖ים that lo the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 7 of 15
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
בָּאִ֣ים shall come H935
בָּאִ֣ים shall come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְנִשָּׂ֤א upon you that he will take you away H5375
וְנִשָּׂ֤א upon you that he will take you away
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 10 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶתְכֶם֙ H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּצִנּ֔וֹת with hooks H6793
בְּצִנּ֔וֹת with hooks
Strong's: H6793
Word #: 12 of 15
a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)
וְאַחֲרִיתְכֶ֖ן and your posterity H319
וְאַחֲרִיתְכֶ֖ן and your posterity
Strong's: H319
Word #: 13 of 15
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
בְּסִיר֥וֹת H5518
בְּסִיר֥וֹת
Strong's: H5518
Word #: 14 of 15
a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook
דּוּגָֽה׃ with fishhooks H1729
דּוּגָֽה׃ with fishhooks
Strong's: H1729
Word #: 15 of 15
properly, fishery, i.e., a hook for fishing

Analysis & Commentary

God pronounces judgment on the wealthy women: "The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks." The oath "by his holiness" invokes God's own nature as guarantee—He cannot lie or fail. The image of hooks and fishhooks describes brutal captivity. Assyrians famously led captives with hooks through lips or noses (depicted in reliefs). These pampered women who lived for luxury would be dragged away like fish on hooks—total reversal of fortune. Verse 3 adds: "And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace." They'll flee through broken walls (invasion), each going straight ahead (panic, not organized), and be "cast into the palace" (some translations: Harmon—possibly a place name or "the mountain"—unclear, but clearly judgment and exile).

Historical Context

When Assyria conquered Samaria (722 BC), they practiced brutal mass deportation. Israelite elites, including these wealthy women, would have experienced exactly what Amos predicted—captivity, stripping of luxury, forced march to exile. The prophecy's detailed fulfillment demonstrates divine inspiration and the certainty that God keeps His word, both in blessing and judgment.

Questions for Reflection