Amos 9:14
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׁבְתִּי֮
And I will bring again
H7725
וְשַׁבְתִּי֮
And I will bring again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁב֣וּת
the captivity
H7622
שְׁב֣וּת
the captivity
Strong's:
H7622
Word #:
3 of 19
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
עַמִּ֣י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֣י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עָרִ֤ים
cities
H5892
עָרִ֤ים
cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
7 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
נְשַׁמּוֹת֙
the waste
H8074
נְשַׁמּוֹת֙
the waste
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
8 of 19
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
וְיָשָׁ֔בוּ
and inhabit
H3427
וְיָשָׁ֔בוּ
and inhabit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וְנָטְע֣וּ
them and they shall plant
H5193
וְנָטְע֣וּ
them and they shall plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְעָשׂ֣וּ
thereof they shall also make
H6213
וְעָשׂ֣וּ
thereof they shall also make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Isaiah 61:4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.Jeremiah 30:3For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.Jeremiah 30:18Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.Ezekiel 28:26And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.Jeremiah 31:28And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.Isaiah 65:21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.Psalms 53:6Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Historical Context
While a small remnant returned from Babylonian exile, this prophecy awaits complete fulfillment in the Messianic age. The New Testament interprets it Christologically—Jesus as the tabernacle of David (John 1:14), gathering both Jews and Gentiles into one people (Ephesians 2:11-22).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of restoration after judgment demonstrate covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness?
- In what ways does the New Covenant in Christ fulfill these restoration prophecies beyond merely national Israel?
- How should future hope of complete restoration motivate present faithfulness and evangelistic urgency?
Analysis & Commentary
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel (וְשַׁבְתִּי אֶת־שְׁבוּת עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל, v'shavti et-sh'vut ami Yisrael)—After chapters of unrelenting judgment, Amos concludes with restoration promise. The verb שׁוּב (shuv, 'to return, restore') signals covenant renewal. And they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them (וּבָנוּ עָרִים נְשַׁמּוֹת וְיָשָׁבוּ, uvanu arim neshamot v'yashavu)—reversing covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:30, 39). And they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them—full covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11) restored.
This demonstrates covenant faithfulness: God judges sin but doesn't abandon His purposes. James's citation in Acts 15:16-17 applies this to Gentile inclusion—God's restoration exceeds ethnic Israel, encompassing all nations through Christ. The ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's return, when creation itself is restored (Romans 8:19-23).