King James Version

What Does Amos 2:7 Mean?

Amos 2:7 in the King James Version says “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 fat...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Amos 2:7 · King James Version

Context

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

9

Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.

Read Amos 2 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Continuing the indictment of Israel: "That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek." The phrase "pant after dust on the head" uses Hebrew imagery of extreme cruelty—they desired to see the poor in such distress they put dust on their heads (sign of mourning and humiliation). Israel's wealthy elite took pleasure in others' suffering. "Turn aside the way of the meek" means perverting justice, denying the vulnerable legal protection. The next clause is even more shocking: "and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name." This describes father and son both using the same young woman sexually—likely a servant or slave. This violated multiple laws (Leviticus 18:15, 19:29, 20:11) and profaned God's name by associating Him with such immorality.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's prosperity under Jeroboam II (793-753 BC) created massive wealth inequality. Archaeological evidence shows monumental architecture for elites alongside modest homes for common people. The wealthy oppressed the poor through debt slavery, corrupt courts, and economic exploitation. Sexual immorality accompanied social injustice—classic pattern when covenant restraints are abandoned. Both wealth and sex became idols.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do social injustice and sexual immorality often accompany each other in cultures abandoning God?
  2. In what ways does claiming God's name while living immorally profane that name today?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הַשֹּׁאֲפִ֤ים1 of 19

“That pant”

H7602

to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten

עַל2 of 19
H5921

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

עֲפַר3 of 19

“after the dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

אֶ֙רֶץ֙4 of 19

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ5 of 19

“on the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

דַּלִּ֔ים6 of 19

“of the poor”

H1800

properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin

וְדֶ֥רֶךְ7 of 19

“the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

עֲנָוִ֖ים8 of 19

“of the meek”

H6035

depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)

יַטּ֑וּ9 of 19

“and turn aside”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

וְאִ֣ישׁ10 of 19

“and a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְאָבִ֗יו11 of 19

“and his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יֵֽלְכוּ֙12 of 19

“will go”

H3212

to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)

אֶל13 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה14 of 19

“in unto the same maid”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

לְמַ֥עַן15 of 19
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

חַלֵּ֖ל16 of 19

“to profane”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

אֶת17 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שֵׁ֥ם18 of 19

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

קָדְשִֽׁי׃19 of 19

“my holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 5:12Isaiah 10:2Ezekiel 22:111 Corinthians 5:1Micah 2:9Micah 2:2

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