BibleWord.ai› Bible› Amos› Chapter 9› Verse 4

Amos 9:4

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Amos 9:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
Amos 9:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Amos 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1I saw the Lord standing beside the altar: and he said, Smite the capitals, that the thresholds may shake; and break them in pieces on the head of all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: there shall not one of them flee away, and there shall not one of them escape.
2Though they dig into Sheol, thence shall my hand take them; and though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down.
3And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and it shall bite them.
4And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
5For the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, [is] he that toucheth the land and it melteth, and all that dwell therein shall mourn; and it shall rise up wholly like the River, and shall sink again, like the River of Egypt;
6[it is] he that buildeth his chambers in the heavens, and hath founded his vault upon the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth; Jehovah is his name.
7Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith Jehovah. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
← Amos 9:3Amos 9:5 →
← Full Chapter 9 Amos Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And though they go into captivity before their enemies, etc.] Alluding to the manner in which captives are led, being put before their enemies, and so carried in triumph; (see <250105>Lamentations 1:5); though some think this refers to their going voluntarily into a foreign country, in order to escape danger, as Johanan the son of Kareah with the Jews went into Egypt, (<244305>Jeremiah 43:5-7); in whom Kimchi instances: thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them; or them that kill with the sword, as the Targum; so that though they thought by going into another country, or into an enemy’s country of their own accord, to escape the sword of the enemy, or to curry favour with them,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“though they go into captivity--hoping to save their lives by voluntarily surrendering to the foe.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Captivity - , at least, seemed safe. The horrors of war are over. Men enslave, but do not commonly destroy those whom they have once been at the pains to carry captive. Amos describes them in their misery, as “going” willingly, gladly, “into captivity before their enemies,” like a flock of sheep. Yet “thence” too, out of “the captivity,” God would command the sword, and it should slay them. So God had forewarned them by Moses, that captivity should be an occasion, not an end, of slaughter. “I will scatter you among the pagan, and will draw out a sword after you” Leviticus 26:33. “And among these nations shalt thou find no ease - and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee, and thou shalt…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Set my eyes - I will perpetually watch over them. Amos 9:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“go: Lev 26:33, Lev 26:36-39; Deu 28:64, Deu 28:65; Eze 5:2, Eze 5:12; Zac 13:8, Zac 13:9 set: Lev 17:10; Deu 28:63; Ch2 16:9; Psa 34:15, Psa 34:16; Jer 24:6, Jer 44:11 Amos 9:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Amos 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification