King James Version

What Does Amos 3:9 Mean?

Amos 3:9 in the King James Version says “Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountai... — study this verse from Amos chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. oppressed: or, oppressions

Amos 3:9 · KJV


Context

7

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

8

The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

9

Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. oppressed: or, oppressions

10

For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. robbery: or, spoil

11

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt—God summons pagan nations as witnesses against Israel's sin. The Hebrew הַשְׁמִיעוּ (hashmi'u, 'proclaim, announce publicly') demands widespread proclamation. Ashdod (Philistine city) and Egypt (Israel's former oppressor) represent notorious wickedness, yet even they will be shocked by the great tumults (מְהוּמֹת רַבּוֹת, mehumot rabot, 'great confusion/chaos') and the oppressed (עֲשׁוּקִים, ashuqim, 'the oppressed/exploited') within Samaria.

This is devastating irony: Israel, called to be holy and distinct (Exodus 19:6), has become morally inferior to pagans. When God calls the wicked to witness against His people, judgment is certain. Similarly, Jesus said Sodom and Gomorrah would fare better than cities that rejected Him (Matthew 11:23-24).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria was Israel's capital, built by Omri (1 Kings 16:24) and famous for wealth and wickedness. By 760 BC, the Northern Kingdom's prosperity under Jeroboam II masked systemic injustice—the rich oppressing the poor while maintaining religious ritual. Archaeological excavations reveal luxury goods and elaborate architecture alongside evidence of extreme economic disparity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should it convict us when secular society recognizes injustice that religious people ignore or perpetuate?
  2. What 'tumults' and 'oppression' might be visible in churches or Christian communities today?
  3. Why does prosperity often blind religious people to their own sin and social injustice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הַשְׁמִ֙יעוּ֙1 of 19

Publish

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

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

אַרְמְנ֖וֹת3 of 19

and in the palaces

H759

a citadel (from its height)

בְּאַשְׁדּ֔וֹד4 of 19

at Ashdod

H795

ashdod, a place in palestine

וְעַֽל5 of 19
H5921

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

אַרְמְנ֖וֹת6 of 19

and in the palaces

H759

a citadel (from its height)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ7 of 19

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם8 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאִמְר֗וּ9 of 19

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙10 of 19

Assemble

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

עַל11 of 19
H5921

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

הָרֵ֣י12 of 19

yourselves upon the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

שֹׁמְר֔וֹן13 of 19

of Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וּרְא֞וּ14 of 19

and behold

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מְהוּמֹ֤ת15 of 19

tumults

H4103

confusion or uproar

רַבּוֹת֙16 of 19

the great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

בְּתוֹכָ֔הּ17 of 19

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

וַעֲשׁוּקִ֖ים18 of 19

thereof and the oppressed

H6217

used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny

בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃19 of 19

in the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)


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 3:9 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 3:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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