Amos 9:10
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.
Original Language Analysis
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
by the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
1 of 11
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
יָמ֔וּתוּ
shall die
H4191
יָמ֔וּתוּ
shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמִּ֑י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֑י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 11
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַגִּ֧ישׁ
shall not overtake
H5066
תַגִּ֧ישׁ
shall not overtake
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
8 of 11
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
וְתַקְדִּ֛ים
nor prevent
H6923
וְתַקְדִּ֛ים
nor prevent
Strong's:
H6923
Word #:
9 of 11
to project (one self), i.e., precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
Cross References
Amos 6:3Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;Isaiah 33:14The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?Isaiah 5:19That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!Isaiah 56:12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.Psalms 10:11He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.Ecclesiastes 8:11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.Amos 6:1Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!Malachi 4:1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.Malachi 3:15And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Historical Context
When Assyria besieged Samaria (725-722 BC), many Israelites likely clung to false hope: "God won't let His people be destroyed." Prophets like Amos warned otherwise, but religious leaders and people preferred comforting lies to harsh truth (Amos 7:10-13). After Jerusalem fell to Babylon (586 BC), survivors in Egypt made similar presumptuous claims (Jeremiah 44:15-18), insisting their idolatry brought prosperity. Both northern and southern kingdoms demonstrate the danger of presuming God's patience means approval. Within the New Covenant, the same warning applies: visible church membership doesn't guarantee salvation; genuine faith produces obedience (James 2:14-26).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern forms of presumption parallel the Israelites' false confidence that 'evil shall not overtake us'—church membership, family heritage, moral comparison to others?
- How does the sifting/sieve imagery (v. 9) connected to the sword's judgment (v. 10) show that genuine versus false faith is ultimately revealed in crisis and trial?
Analysis & Commentary
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword (בַּחֶרֶב יָמוּתוּ כֹּל חַטָּאֵי עַמִּי)—the sifting process (v. 9) has a grim conclusion for the unrepentant. The chatta'ei ammi (חַטָּאֵי עַמִּי, sinners of my people) are distinguished from the faithful remnant—they're in covenant community but not of it, professing externally but unregenerate internally. The cherev (חֶרֶב, sword) represents both Assyrian conquest and divine judgment. Which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us (הָאֹמְרִים לֹא־תַגִּישׁ וְתַקְדִּים בַּעֲדֵינוּ הָרָעָה)—the verbs nagash (נָגַשׁ, overtake/draw near) and qadam (קָדַם, confront/prevent) describe evil coming toward them. They confidently declare: evil won't reach us.
This is the sin of presumption—false security based on covenant privilege without covenant obedience. They assumed election guaranteed immunity: "We're God's people; He wouldn't judge us." Amos has systematically demolished this illusion (3:2, 5:18-20, 6:1-3, 8:2). Their complacent presumption mirrors Jesus's warning in Matthew 3:9: "Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Externalism—trusting ritual, heritage, or religious affiliation rather than heart-obedience—marks false professors. The New Testament repeatedly warns: not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" enters the kingdom (Matthew 7:21-23); many churches contain wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30); the sieve of judgment separates false from true (1 John 2:19).