Amos 4:6
And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נָתַ֨תִּי
And I also have given
H5414
נָתַ֨תִּי
And I also have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שִׁנַּ֙יִם֙
of teeth
H8127
שִׁנַּ֙יִם֙
of teeth
Strong's:
H8127
Word #:
6 of 17
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עָ֣רֵיכֶ֔ם
in all your cities
H5892
עָ֣רֵיכֶ֔ם
in all your cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לֶ֔חֶם
of bread
H3899
לֶ֔חֶם
of bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
10 of 17
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְקוֹמֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
in all your places
H4725
מְקוֹמֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
in all your places
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם
yet have ye not returned
H7725
שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם
yet have ye not returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
14 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Haggai 2:17I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 5:3O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.Isaiah 9:13For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.Revelation 2:21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.Leviticus 26:26And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
Historical Context
Israel experienced periodic famines during the 8th century BC, documented in archaeological evidence showing crop failures and food scarcity. Rather than reading these as divine discipline calling them to covenant renewal, Israel's prosperity gospel assumed continued blessing regardless of ethics. Amos exposes this theological delusion.
Questions for Reflection
- What personal hardships might God be using to call you to repentance rather than random suffering requiring mere endurance?
- How does persistent refusal to 'return to God' through repeated discipline progressively harden the heart toward final judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities (וְגַם־אֲנִי נָתַתִּי לָכֶם נִקְיוֹן שִׁנַּיִם בְּכָל־עָרֵיכֶם)—Haunting euphemism: 'clean teeth' means no food to chew, i.e., famine. The Hebrew niqyon shinayim (cleanness of teeth) poetically describes starvation. Want of bread in all your places (וְחֹסֶר לֶחֶם בְּכָל־מְקוֹמוֹתֵיכֶם) makes the meaning explicit—total food shortage. Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD (וְלֹא־שַׁבְתֶּם עָדַי נְאֻם־יְהוָה)—The devastating refrain. Shavtem (returned/repented) is the prophets' central call; Israel's refusal seals their doom.
This begins a litany of covenant curses (vv. 6-11) that God sent to provoke repentance: famine, drought, blight, plague, war, destruction. Each mirrors Deuteronomy 28's curses for disobedience, showing God's faithfulness even in judgment—He warned, then disciplined incrementally, giving multiple opportunities for teshuvah (repentance/return). The repeated refrain 'yet have ye not returned' (vv. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11) indicts Israel's hardness, echoing Pharaoh's repeated hardening (Exodus 7-11). Romans 2:4 warns that despising God's kindness in postponing judgment leads to storing up wrath.