King James Version

What Does Amos 1:11 Mean?

Amos 1:11 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; becaus... — study this verse from Amos chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: did cast: Heb. corrupted his compassions

Amos 1:11 · KJV


Context

9

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant: the brotherly: Heb. the covenant of brethren

10

But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

11

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: did cast: Heb. corrupted his compassions

12

But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

13

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: ripped: or, divided the mountains


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amos addresses Edom: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever." Edom's crime was betraying kinship obligations. As Esau's descendants, they were Jacob's (Israel's) relatives, yet they "pursued with the sword" and "cast off pity" (Hebrew racham—maternal compassion/womb-love). The phrases "anger did tear perpetually" and "kept wrath forever" describe nurturing hatred, refusing forgiveness, cultivating vengeance. This sustained malice particularly angered God. The sin wasn't one-time offense but deliberate, perpetual hostility. Reformed theology recognizes degrees of sin—all sin deserves death, yet some sins are more heinous due to knowledge, relationship, or persistence (Luke 12:47-48, John 19:11, James 4:17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Edom's hostility toward Israel stretched back to Moses's time when they refused passage through their territory (Numbers 20:14-21). They celebrated Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem, cut off fleeing refugees, and looted the city (Obadiah 10-14, Psalm 137:7, Ezekiel 25:12-14, 35:5). This betrayal during Israel's darkest hour earned devastating judgment—Edom was eventually displaced by Nabateans, forced into southern Judea (Idumea), forcibly converted to Judaism during the Maccabean period, and disappeared after AD 70. God keeps His word.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does betraying family or covenant relationships constitute particularly grievous sin?
  2. What does it mean to "keep wrath forever," and how does Christ's command to forgive contrast this?
  3. How does Edom's judgment warn against harboring bitterness and unforgiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כֹּ֚ה1 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 23

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 23

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל4 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׁלֹשָׁה֙5 of 23

For three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

פִּשְׁעֵ֣י6 of 23

transgressions

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

אֱד֔וֹם7 of 23

of Edom

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וְעַל8 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַרְבָּעָ֖ה9 of 23

and for four

H702

four

לֹ֣א10 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ11 of 23

I will not turn away

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל12 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רָדְפ֨וֹ13 of 23

the punishment thereof because he did pursue

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

בַחֶ֤רֶב14 of 23

with the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אָחִיו֙15 of 23

his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְשִׁחֵ֣ת16 of 23

and did cast off

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

רַחֲמָ֔יו17 of 23

all pity

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

וַיִּטְרֹ֤ף18 of 23

did tear

H2963

to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)

לָעַד֙19 of 23

perpetually

H5703

properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit

אַפּ֔וֹ20 of 23

and his anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְעֶבְרָת֖וֹ21 of 23

his wrath

H5678

an outburst of passion

שְׁמָ֥רָה22 of 23

and he kept

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

נֶֽצַח׃23 of 23

for ever

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Amos. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Amos 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Amos 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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