King James Version

What Does Amos 1:8 Mean?

Amos 1:8 in the King James Version says “And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.”

Amos 1:8 · KJV

Salvation

Context

6

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom: away captive: or, them away with an entire

7

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

8

And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

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.

Read Amos 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon—The Hebrew hikhrati yoshev (הִכְרַתִּי יוֹשֵׁב, "I will cut off the inhabitant") and tomekh shevet (תּוֹמֵךְ שֵׁבֶט, "him that holdeth the sceptre") together describe total political destruction—both general population and ruling authority will be eliminated. And I will turn mine hand against Ekron—Hashivoti yadi (הֲשִׁיבוֹתִי יָדִי) means to turn or return God's hand in hostile action, striking repeatedly. And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD—She'erit Pelishtim (שְׁאֵרִית פְּלִשְׁתִּים, "remnant of Philistines") indicates complete annihilation, not just defeat.

This verse expands judgment from Gaza (v. 7) to three more Philistine cities: Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron. Notably absent is Gath, likely already destroyed by this time (see 2 Kings 12:17; 2 Chronicles 26:6). The comprehensive nature of this oracle—naming four of five Philistine cities—emphasizes totality of judgment. God doesn't selectively punish but systematically dismantles the entire Philistine power structure that enabled the slave trade.

The phrase "the remnant of the Philistines shall perish" is prophetically significant. Throughout Scripture, God preserves a "remnant" of His covenant people despite judgment (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 9:27, 11:5). But for the Philistines, no remnant will survive—total extinction. This anticipates the historical reality: the Philistines eventually disappeared as a distinct people, absorbed and destroyed by successive empires. The covenant formula "saith the Lord GOD" (amar Adonai YHWH) authenticates this as divine decree, not mere political prediction. God's Word guarantees its fulfillment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron were major Philistine city-states with distinct rulers, though they sometimes acted in concert. Ashdod was a major port and religious center (temple of Dagon, 1 Samuel 5:1-7). Ashkelon was another significant coastal city. Ekron was the northernmost Philistine city, closer to Israelite territory. Archaeological excavations confirm destruction layers at these sites corresponding to Assyrian campaigns (Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib) that fulfilled these prophecies.

The Philistines never recovered from these 8th-7th century BC destructions. While some Philistine settlements persisted, their political and ethnic identity was erased—a people who dominated Israel during the judges period vanished from history, exactly as Amos prophesied.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the total judgment on Philistia—with no remnant preserved—contrast with God's preservation of a remnant from Israel despite their sins, and what does this reveal about covenant grace?
  2. What does the fulfillment of Amos's detailed prophecies against specific ancient cities teach us about trusting God's prophetic word concerning future judgment and Christ's return?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י1 of 16

“And I will cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

יוֹשֵׁב֙2 of 16

“the inhabitant”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מֵֽאַשְׁדּ֔וֹד3 of 16

“from Ashdod”

H795

ashdod, a place in palestine

וְתוֹמֵ֥ךְ4 of 16

“and him that holdeth”

H8551

to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close

שֵׁ֖בֶט5 of 16

“the sceptre”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

מֵֽאַשְׁקְל֑וֹן6 of 16

“from Ashkelon”

H831

ashkelon, a place in palestine

וַהֲשִׁיב֨וֹתִי7 of 16

“and I will turn”

H7725

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

יָדִ֜י8 of 16

“mine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל9 of 16
H5921

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

עֶקְר֗וֹן10 of 16

“against Ekron”

H6138

ekron, a place in palestine

וְאָֽבְדוּ֙11 of 16

“shall perish”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית12 of 16

“and the remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים13 of 16

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אָמַ֖ר14 of 16

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֥י15 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃16 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

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 1:8 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 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 25:16Isaiah 14:29-31Jeremiah 47:4-5Zephaniah 2:4-7Zechariah 9:62 Chronicles 26:6

Places in This Verse

AshdodSettlement · Modern: Tel Ashdod · 31.76°N, 34.66°E21 verses across 10 books
AshkelonSettlement · Modern: Tel Ashkelon · 31.66°N, 34.55°E12 verses across 8 books
EkronSettlement · Modern: Tel Miqne · 31.78°N, 34.85°E20 verses across 8 books
View all places in Amos 1 →

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