Amos 5:27

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts.

Original Language Analysis

וְהִגְלֵיתִ֥י Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity H1540
וְהִגְלֵיתִ֥י Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity
Strong's: H1540
Word #: 1 of 9
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
אֶתְכֶ֖ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵהָ֣לְאָה beyond H1973
מֵהָ֣לְאָה beyond
Strong's: H1973
Word #: 3 of 9
to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far
לְדַמָּ֑שֶׂק Damascus H1834
לְדַמָּ֑שֶׂק Damascus
Strong's: H1834
Word #: 4 of 9
damascus, a city of syria
אָמַ֛ר saith H559
אָמַ֛ר saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 9
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵֽי is The God H430
אֱלֹהֵֽי is The God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 7 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 8 of 9
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שְׁמֽוֹ׃ whose name H8034
שְׁמֽוֹ׃ whose name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 9 of 9
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Analysis & Commentary

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus (וְהִגְלֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵהָלְאָה לְדַמָּשֶׂק, v'higleiti etchem mehale'ah l'Damaseq)—The judgment fits the crime: they carried idols, so God will cause them to be carried away (הִגְלֵיתִי, higleiti, 'I will exile'). Beyond Damascus means further than Syria—fulfilled when Assyria (whose capital Nineveh lay northeast of Damascus) deported Israel in 722 BC. Saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts (אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי־צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ, amar YHWH Elohei-tzva'ot sh'mo)—the covenant God who commands heavenly armies pronounces this irrevocable decree.

This is measure-for-measure justice: they wanted other gods, so God removes them from the promised land given specifically for worshiping Him alone. Exile is the covenant curse for idolatry (Deuteronomy 28:36, 64-68). Yet even in judgment, God maintains covenant faithfulness—He warned them repeatedly before acting.

Historical Context

The Assyrian conquest of 722 BC fulfilled this precisely. Sargon II deported Israelites to Mesopotamia and Media (2 Kings 17:6)—regions 'beyond Damascus.' The ten northern tribes never returned as a nation, becoming the 'lost tribes.' This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word, even in judgment.

Questions for Reflection