Amos 5:7
Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Covenant law required just courts protecting the vulnerable (Exodus 23:1-9, Deuteronomy 16:18-20). Judges were warned: "You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise" (Deuteronomy 16:19). By Amos's time, Israel's courts systematically favored the wealthy. Amos 5:10-12 details this: "They hate him who reproves in the gate [court], and they abhor him who speaks the truth... you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate." The gate was where elders adjudicated disputes. Instead of protecting the poor, courts sold verdicts to the highest bidder. This judicial corruption enabled economic oppression—creditors could enslave debtors through unjust rulings (2:6, 8:6).
Questions for Reflection
- How do corrupt courts transform justice into poison for the innocent?
- What is the relationship between judicial integrity and societal righteousness?
- How does turning justice to wormwood demonstrate covenant unfaithfulness, not merely social problems?
Analysis & Commentary
Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth (הַהֹפְכִים לְלַעֲנָה מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה לָאָרֶץ הִנִּיחוּ, haHophkhim leLa'anah mishpat utsedeqah la'arets hinnichu)—this verse describes Israel's judicial corruption. The verb haphak (הָפַךְ, "turn/pervert/overturn") means transforming something into its opposite. "Judgment" (mishpat, מִשְׁפָּט) means justice, legal decisions, what is right according to covenant law. "Wormwood" (la'anah, לַעֲנָה) is a bitter, poisonous plant (Artemisia)—turning justice into wormwood means making it bitter, poisonous, deadly to the innocent. Courts that should dispense justice instead deliver injustice.
The parallel phrase leave off righteousness in the earth uses tsedaqah (צְדָקָה, "righteousness") for moral rightness and covenant faithfulness. The verb nuach (נוּחַ, "leave/cast down/abandon") means they've thrown righteousness to the ground, trampling it. The wealthy and powerful perverted courts to favor themselves and oppress the poor (see 5:10-12). This verse functions as accusation within the larger passage—verses 6-7 flow together: seek the LORD and live, you who turn justice to poison. Verse 8-9 then celebrate God as Creator and Judge, contrasting human injustice with divine righteousness.