Amos 6:11

Authorized King James Version

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For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִנֵּ֤ה H2009
הִנֵּ֤ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 2 of 11
lo!
יְהוָה֙ For behold the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ For behold the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מְצַוֶּ֔ה commandeth H6680
מְצַוֶּ֔ה commandeth
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 4 of 11
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
וְהִכָּ֛ה and he will smite H5221
וְהִכָּ֛ה and he will smite
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 5 of 11
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
וְהַבַּ֥יִת house H1004
וְהַבַּ֥יִת house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 6 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַגָּד֖וֹל the great H1419
הַגָּד֖וֹל the great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 7 of 11
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
רְסִיסִ֑ים with breaches H7447
רְסִיסִ֑ים with breaches
Strong's: H7447
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, dripping to pieces, i.e., a ruin
וְהַבַּ֥יִת house H1004
וְהַבַּ֥יִת house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 9 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַקָּטֹ֖ן and the little H6996
הַקָּטֹ֖ן and the little
Strong's: H6996
Word #: 10 of 11
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
בְּקִעִֽים׃ with clefts H1233
בְּקִעִֽים׃ with clefts
Strong's: H1233
Word #: 11 of 11
a fissure

Analysis & Commentary

For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts (כִּי־הִנֵּה יְהוָה מְצַוֶּה וְהִכָּה הַבַּיִת הַגָּדוֹל רְסִיסִים וְהַבַּיִת הַקָּטֹן בְּקִעִים, ki-hineh YHWH m'tzaveh v'hikah habayit hagadol resisim v'habayit hakaton b'qi'im)—both great houses (הַבַּיִת הַגָּדוֹל, habayit hagadol, palaces) and small houses (הַבַּיִת הַקָּטֹן, habayit hakaton, peasant dwellings) face destruction. רְסִיסִים (resisim, 'breaches, fragments') and בְּקִעִים (b'qi'im, 'clefts, cracks') suggest structural collapse—both total ruin and partial damage, depending on size.

This emphasizes judgment's universality: wealth provides no protection. The rich who oppressed and the poor who acquiesced both face consequences. Romans 2:11 confirms this principle: 'there is no respect of persons with God.' Judgment reaches all socioeconomic levels when a nation rejects God.

Historical Context

Assyrian conquest records and archaeological evidence confirm widespread destruction across all social strata in conquered cities. When Samaria fell, both palaces and peasant homes were destroyed—fulfilling this prophecy's details precisely.

Questions for Reflection