Amos 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הַמַּשְׂכִּ֛יל
Therefore the prudent
H7919
הַמַּשְׂכִּ֛יל
Therefore the prudent
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
2 of 9
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
עֵ֥ת
in that time
H6256
עֵ֥ת
in that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
3 of 9
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֖יא
H1931
הַהִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 9
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יִדֹּ֑ם
shall keep silence
H1826
יִדֹּ֑ם
shall keep silence
Strong's:
H1826
Word #:
5 of 9
to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עֵ֥ת
in that time
H6256
עֵ֥ת
in that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
7 of 9
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;Hosea 4:4Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.Micah 2:3Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.2 Timothy 3:1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.Isaiah 37:3And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.Isaiah 36:21But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.Ephesians 6:13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.Ecclesiastes 9:12For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.Amos 6:10And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.Habakkuk 3:16When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Historical Context
This verse captures a dark reality in corrupt societies: eventually, good people stop speaking up because doing so accomplishes nothing except personal harm. In Amos's Israel, honest witnesses and judges faced hatred (v. 10), courts were thoroughly bribed (v. 12), and the elite oppressed truth-tellers. Within such a system, the "prudent" might conclude that silence was the only way to survive. Yet prophets like Amos continued speaking despite the danger, demonstrating that God's call sometimes demands courage over prudence.
Questions for Reflection
- When is silence prudent self-preservation versus cowardly capitulation to evil?
- How should Christians respond when speaking biblical truth brings persecution or seems futile?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time (לָכֵן הַמַּשְׂכִּיל בָּעֵת הַהִיא יִדֹּם)—"prudent" (maskil, מַשְׂכִּיל, from שָׂכַל sakal) means wise, discerning, one who understands the times. "Keep silence" (yidom, יִדֹּם, from דָּמַם damam) means be silent, be still. This could be interpreted two ways:
For it is an evil time (ki et ra'ah hi, כִּי עֵת רָעָה הִיא)—"evil" (ra'ah, רָעָה) describes both moral corruption and calamitous judgment.
The "time" (et, עֵת) is the present era of injustice heading toward divine judgment. Most commentators see this as Amos describing the futility of protest—corruption is so thorough that truth-tellers are crushed (v. 10), making silence the only safe option. Yet this "prudent" silence differs from prophetic courage—Amos himself didn't stay silent but spoke boldly despite opposition (7:10-17). The verse may describe others' capitulation while validating why some give up fighting systemic evil when it seems overwhelming.