King James Version

What Does Amos 5:10 Mean?

Amos 5:10 in the King James Version says “They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

Amos 5:10 · KJV


Context

8

Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:

9

That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. spoiled: Heb. spoil

10

They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

11

Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them. pleasant: Heb. vineyards of desire

12

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. a bribe: or, a ransom


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They hate him that rebuketh in the gate (שֹׂנְאֵי בַשַּׁעַר מוֹכִיחַ)—the "gate" (sha'ar) was the civic center where legal cases were heard and justice administered. The "rebuker" (mokhiach, from יָכַח yakach, "to reprove/judge") was the honest judge or witness who exposed injustice. Israel's corrupt elite hated those who exposed their exploitation because truth threatened their wealth built on oppression.

They abhor him that speaketh uprightly (יְתָעֲבוּ דֹּבֵר תָּמִים)—"abhor" (ta'av, תָּעַב) is intense disgust, the same revulsion used for idolatry. "Uprightly" (tamim, תָּמִים) means complete, blameless, ethically whole—the word describes Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1). Israel had inverted moral values: they despised integrity and honored corruption. This moral inversion appears when societies prioritize profit over justice. Jesus faced identical hatred—truth-speakers are always threats to systems built on lies (John 7:7, 15:18-19).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, the city gate functioned as courthouse, marketplace, and civic forum. Elders and judges sat at the gate to hear disputes (Deuteronomy 21:19, 22:15; Ruth 4:1-11). By Amos's time (760-750 BC), Israel's courts had become thoroughly corrupt—judges accepted bribes (Amos 5:12), perverted justice for the wealthy, and sold verdicts to the highest bidder. Anyone who spoke truth or defended the poor faced hatred from the powerful elite whose wealth depended on exploitation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does hatred of truth-tellers reveal the depth of moral corruption in any society?
  2. In what settings today do people face hostility for speaking biblical truth or defending the vulnerable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
שָׂנְא֥וּ1 of 6

They hate

H8130

to hate (personally)

בַשַּׁ֖עַר2 of 6

in the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

מוֹכִ֑יחַ3 of 6

him that rebuketh

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

וְדֹבֵ֥ר4 of 6

him that speaketh

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

תָּמִ֖ים5 of 6

uprightly

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

יְתָעֵֽבוּ׃6 of 6

and they abhor

H8581

to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest


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 5:10 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 5:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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