King James Version

What Does Amos 2:6 Mean?

Amos 2:6 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; beca...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;”

Amos 2:6 · KJV

Context

4

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:

5

But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.

6

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;

7

That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: maid: or, young woman

8

And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. the condemned: or, such as have fined, or, mulcted

Read Amos 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Having condemned six nations and Judah, Amos pivots to his primary target: northern Israel. The prophetic formula and numerical pattern ("for three transgressions...for four") establish the same certainty of judgment. But Israel's sins differ from pagan atrocities and Judah's law-rejection. The specific charge: "they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes." This describes systematic economic oppression and judicial corruption.

"Sold the righteous for silver" (makhar tsaddiq bakesef) depicts courts perverting justice to favor wealthy creditors against innocent debtors. The "righteous" (tsaddiq) means those in the right legally—people falsely condemned through bribed judges. "For silver" indicates bribery corrupted the judicial system. Exodus 23:8 and Deuteronomy 16:19 explicitly forbid such corruption. Israel's judges, who should have protected the vulnerable, instead sold justice to the highest bidder.

"And the poor for a pair of shoes" (evyon ba'avur na'alayim) intensifies the condemnation. The Hebrew evyon denotes the truly destitute—those with nothing. For something as trivial as shoes (or the debt represented by shoes), the wealthy enslaved the poor. This may reference debt-slavery where minor debts resulted in selling family members into servitude (Leviticus 25:39-43). The covenant prohibited such oppression, but Israel's greedy elite ignored God's law for profit. This prepares for Amos 5:24's call for "judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological evidence from 8th century BC Israel reveals stark economic inequality. Excavations at Samaria show monumental architecture, luxury goods, and imported items for the elite, while typical Israelite homes were small and modest. The book of Amos describes houses of ivory (3:15), beds of ivory (6:4), and summer/winter homes (3:15)—all confirmed by archaeology. This wealth concentration came at the expense of the poor.

The Mosaic law contained extensive provisions protecting the poor: interest-free loans to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25), release of debts every seven years (Deuteronomy 15:1-6), prohibition on taking essential items as collateral (Exodus 22:26-27, Deuteronomy 24:6, 10-13), and automatic land return at Jubilee (Leviticus 25). Israel's wealthy class ignored these protections, creating a exploitative economy God condemned through Amos.

The phrase "pair of shoes" may reference the legal custom of removing a sandal to finalize property transactions (Ruth 4:7-8). Thus "the poor for a pair of shoes" might indicate seizing land or selling people into slavery for trivial debts formalized by this symbolic act. Regardless of precise mechanics, the moral point is clear: Israel's elite valued profit over people, money over justice, and oppression over covenant faithfulness. Such systematic injustice demanded divine intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for economic justice and fair courts challenge purely "spiritual" understandings of holiness?
  2. What modern economic systems or practices parallel Israel's selling the righteous for silver and the poor for shoes?
  3. How should Christian business practices and political engagement reflect God's hatred of oppression and injustice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כֹּ֚ה1 of 18
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 18

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

עַל4 of 18
H5921

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

שְׁלֹשָׁה֙5 of 18

“For three”

H7969

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

פִּשְׁעֵ֣י6 of 18

“transgressions”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְעַל8 of 18
H5921

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

אַרְבָּעָ֖ה9 of 18

“and for four”

H702

four

לֹ֣א10 of 18
H3808

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

אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ11 of 18

“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 18
H5921

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

מִכְרָ֤ם13 of 18

“the punishment thereof because they sold”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

בַּכֶּ֙סֶף֙14 of 18

“for silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

צַדִּ֔יק15 of 18

“the righteous”

H6662

just

וְאֶבְי֖וֹן16 of 18

“and the poor”

H34

destitute

בַּעֲב֥וּר17 of 18
H5668

properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that

נַעֲלָֽיִם׃18 of 18

“for a pair of shoes”

H5275

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

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 2:6 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 2:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 3:3Amos 5:11-12Micah 3:2-32 Kings 18:122 Kings 17:7-18Ezekiel 23:5-9

Test Your Knowledge

Amos 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterAmos Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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