Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. The phrase YHWH miммārôm yišʾāg (יְהוָה מִמָּרוֹם יִשְׁאָג, the LORD shall roar from on high) employs lion imagery—God as the roaring lion executing judgment. This contrasts with Jesus as the 'Lion of Judah' (Revelation 5:5) who is simultaneously the sacrificial Lamb. The phrase mimmĕʿôn qoḏšô yittēn qôlô (מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשׁוֹ יִתֵּן קוֹלוֹ, utter his voice from his holy habitation) identifies heaven as the source of judgment.
The imagery shifts: shāʾōg yišʾag ʿal-nāwēhû (שָׁאֹג יִשְׁאַג עַל־נָוֵהוּ, mightily roar upon his habitation) suggests God roaring against His own dwelling place—judgment beginning at Jerusalem. The phrase hêḏāḏ kĕḏōrĕkîm yaʿăneh (הֵידָד כְּדֹרְכִים יַעֲנֶה, give a shout as those who tread grapes) employs vintage imagery. Grape-treading involved rhythmic shouting while trampling grapes, producing wine and juice. Here it becomes an image of divine wrath—God trampling nations like grapes in the winepress. Revelation 14:19-20 and 19:15 use identical imagery for Christ's final judgment, showing thematic continuity.
Historical Context
Amos had earlier used the image of God roaring like a lion from Zion (Amos 1:2, 3:8). The prophets consistently portrayed God's judgment as terrifying, inevitable, and comprehensive. The grape-treading imagery was familiar from agricultural life—the violent trampling, the red juice flowing like blood. When applied to judgment, it became visceral and shocking. Joel 3:12-13 similarly describes God commanding, 'Come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.' These images prepared Israel for the reality that God's judgment would be thorough and terrible.
Questions for Reflection
How does the image of God 'roaring like a lion' challenge sentimental views of divine love that exclude holy judgment?
What does the grape-treading imagery teach about the thoroughness and violence of God's judgment against sin?
How should these terrifying images of judgment shape our evangelism, worship, and holy living?
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. The phrase YHWH miммārôm yišʾāg (יְהוָה מִמָּרוֹם יִשְׁאָג, the LORD shall roar from on high) employs lion imagery—God as the roaring lion executing judgment. This contrasts with Jesus as the 'Lion of Judah' (Revelation 5:5) who is simultaneously the sacrificial Lamb. The phrase mimmĕʿôn qoḏšô yittēn qôlô (מִמְּעוֹן קָדְשׁוֹ יִתֵּן קוֹלוֹ, utter his voice from his holy habitation) identifies heaven as the source of judgment.
The imagery shifts: shāʾōg yišʾag ʿal-nāwēhû (שָׁאֹג יִשְׁאַג עַל־נָוֵהוּ, mightily roar upon his habitation) suggests God roaring against His own dwelling place—judgment beginning at Jerusalem. The phrase hêḏāḏ kĕḏōrĕkîm yaʿăneh (הֵידָד כְּדֹרְכִים יַעֲנֶה, give a shout as those who tread grapes) employs vintage imagery. Grape-treading involved rhythmic shouting while trampling grapes, producing wine and juice. Here it becomes an image of divine wrath—God trampling nations like grapes in the winepress. Revelation 14:19-20 and 19:15 use identical imagery for Christ's final judgment, showing thematic continuity.