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Amos 7:17

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Amos 7:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.
Amos 7:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Amos 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet`s son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees:
15and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
16Now therefore hear thou the word of Jehovah: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac;
17therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.
← Amos 7:16Amos 8:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore thus saith the Lord, etc.] For withstanding the prophet of the Lord, and forbidding him to speak in his name against the idolatry of Israel, as well as for his own idolatry: thy wife shall be an harlot in the city: either of Bethel or Samaria; either through force, being ravished by the soldiers upon taking and plundering the city; so Theodoret and others: or rather of choice; either, through poverty, to get bread, or through a vicious inclination, and that in a public manner: the meaning is, that she should be a common strumpet; which must be a great affliction to him, and a just punishment for his idolatry, or spiritual adultery; this must be before the siege and taking of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city--that is, shall be forced by the enemy, while thou art looking on, unable to prevent her dishonor (Isa 13:16; Lam 5:11). The words, "saith the Lord," are in striking opposition to "Thou sayest (Amo 7:16). divided by line--among the foe. a polluted land--Israel regarded every foreign land as that which really her own land was now, "polluted" (Isa 24:5; Jer 2:7). Next: Amos Chapter 8”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thy wife shall be a harlot - These were, and still are, among the horrors of war. His own sentence comes last, when he had seen the rest, unable to hinder it. Against his and her own will, she should suffer this. Jerome: “Great is the grief, and incredible the disgrace, when the husband, in the midst of the city and in the presence of all, cannot hinder the wrong done to his wife , for the husband had rather hear that his wife had been slain, than defiled.” What he adds “thy daughters” (as well as his “sons”) “shall fall by the sword,” is an unwonted barbarity, and not part of the Assyrian customs, who carried off women in great numbers, as wives for their soldiery . Perhaps Amos mentions…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“In a polluted land - Among the Heathen. Israel - The ten tribes. Next: Amos Chapter 8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:17 Because Amaziah had tried to silence Amos (7:12-13), the Lord confronted Amaziah with a grim prophecy of what his life would be like after the Assyrian siege.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thy wife: Isa 13:16; Jer 20:6, Jer 28:12, Jer 28:16, Jer 29:21, Jer 29:25, Jer 29:31, Jer 29:32; Lam 5:11; Hos 4:13, Hos 4:14; Zac 14:2 thy land: Psa 78:55 die: Kg2 17:6; Eze 4:13; Hos 9:3 and Israel: Amo 7:11; Lev 26:33-39; Jer 36:27-32 Next: Amos Chapter 8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification