Amos 6:10

Authorized King James Version

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And 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.

Original Language Analysis

וּנְשָׂא֞וֹ shall take him up H5375
וּנְשָׂא֞וֹ shall take him up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 1 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
דּוֹד֣וֹ And a man's uncle H1730
דּוֹד֣וֹ And a man's uncle
Strong's: H1730
Word #: 2 of 22
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
וּמְסָרְפ֗וֹ and he that burneth H5635
וּמְסָרְפ֗וֹ and he that burneth
Strong's: H5635
Word #: 3 of 22
to cremate, i.e., to be (near) of kin (such being privileged to kindle the pyre)
לְהוֹצִ֣יא him to bring out H3318
לְהוֹצִ֣יא him to bring out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 4 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
עֲצָמִים֮ the bones H6106
עֲצָמִים֮ the bones
Strong's: H6106
Word #: 5 of 22
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 6 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַבַּ֛יִת of the house H1004
הַבַּ֛יִת of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 7 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאָמַ֣ר Is there yet any with thee and he shall say H559
וְאָמַ֣ר Is there yet any with thee and he shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
לַאֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
לַאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּיַרְכְּתֵ֥י unto him that is by the sides H3411
בְּיַרְכְּתֵ֥י unto him that is by the sides
Strong's: H3411
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
הַבַּ֛יִת of the house H1004
הַבַּ֛יִת of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 11 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַע֥וֹד H5750
הַע֥וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 12 of 22
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
עִמָּ֖ךְ H5973
עִמָּ֖ךְ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 13 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְאָמַ֣ר Is there yet any with thee and he shall say H559
וְאָמַ֣ר Is there yet any with thee and he shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 14 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
אָ֑פֶס No H657
אָ֑פֶס No
Strong's: H657
Word #: 15 of 22
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
וְאָמַ֣ר Is there yet any with thee and he shall say H559
וְאָמַ֣ר Is there yet any with thee and he shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 16 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
הָ֔ס Hold thy tongue H2013
הָ֔ס Hold thy tongue
Strong's: H2013
Word #: 17 of 22
to hush
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 18 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 19 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְהַזְכִּ֖יר for we may not make mention H2142
לְהַזְכִּ֖יר for we may not make mention
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 20 of 22
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
בְּשֵׁ֥ם of the name H8034
בְּשֵׁ֥ם of the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 21 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 22 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house—Jewish burial custom involved family members retrieving bodies. דּוֹד (dod, 'uncle') represents extended family obligation. The phrase 'burneth him' (וּמְסָרְפוֹ, um'sarfo) is unusual—Jews typically didn't cremate except in extreme circumstances (plague, war, desecration prevention). And shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No.—a survivor check finds none remaining. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD (הַס כִּי־לֹא לְהַזְכִּיר בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָה, has ki-lo l'hazkir b'shem-YHWH)—either fearing to invoke God's name amidst judgment or recognizing their covenant-breaking forfeited the right to call on Him.

This chilling scene depicts absolute desolation and spiritual terror. The command to silence suggests recognition that God has turned against them—speaking His name might bring further judgment. When people can no longer pray, judgment has reached its fullest expression.

Historical Context

This verse reflects the horrors of siege warfare and conquest's aftermath—mass death, emergency cremation, and terrorized survivors afraid to invoke their covenant God. The psychological and spiritual devastation matches physical destruction.

Questions for Reflection