King James Version

What Does Amos 5:11 Mean?

Amos 5:11 in the King James Version says “Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of he...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Amos 5:11 · KJV

Context

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

13

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Read Amos 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"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." Amos specifies Israel's sin: "treading upon the poor"—oppression and exploitation. "Take from him burdens of wheat" likely describes unjust taxation or exorbitant rent extracted from subsistence farmers. The wealthy built "houses of hewn stone" (ashlar masonry—expensive, prestigious construction) and "pleasant vineyards" using wealth extracted from the poor. But divine justice intervenes: "ye shall not dwell in them... ye shall not drink wine of them." What was gained through oppression will be lost through judgment—classic covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:30, 38-40). This principle of proportional judgment appears throughout Scripture (Micah 6:15, Zephaniah 1:13). The Reformed doctrine of God's justice affirms that ill-gotten gain doesn't prosper ultimately—God vindicates the oppressed and judges oppressors.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological excavations at Israelite sites from Jeroboam II's era confirm stark inequality—monumental elite structures alongside modest homes. Ivory decorations, fine pottery, and imported goods indicate luxury concentrations. This prosperity came through exploiting the poor—debt slavery, corrupt courts, unjust taxes. Amos's prediction came true: Assyrian conquest (722 BC) meant the wealthy lost everything, never enjoying what they'd built. The lesson: injustice doesn't pay; God's justice prevails.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern economic systems or practices parallel Israel's exploitation of the poor?
  2. How does knowing that ill-gotten wealth won't be enjoyed affect attitudes toward economic justice?
  3. In what ways do Christians sometimes build wealth through means that exploit vulnerable people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
לָ֠כֵן1 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יַ֣עַן2 of 22

“Forasmuch”

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

בּוֹשַׁסְכֶ֞ם3 of 22

“therefore as your treading”

H1318

to trample down

עַל4 of 22
H5921

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

דָּ֗ל5 of 22

“is upon the poor”

H1800

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

וּמַשְׂאַת6 of 22

“from him burdens”

H4864

properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a pr

בַּר֙7 of 22

“of wheat”

H1250

grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country

תִּקְח֣וּ8 of 22

“and ye take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ9 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

בָּתֵּ֥י10 of 22

“houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

גָזִ֛ית11 of 22

“of hewn stone”

H1496

something cut, i.e., dressed stone

בְּנִיתֶ֖ם12 of 22

“ye have built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וְלֹא13 of 22
H3808

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

תֵ֣שְׁבוּ14 of 22

“but ye shall not dwell”

H3427

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

בָ֑ם15 of 22
H0
כַּרְמֵי16 of 22

“vineyards”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

חֶ֣מֶד17 of 22

“pleasant”

H2531

delight

נְטַעְתֶּ֔ם18 of 22

“in them ye have planted”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹ֥א19 of 22
H3808

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

תִשְׁתּ֖וּ20 of 22

“but ye shall not drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

אֶת21 of 22
H853

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

יֵינָֽם׃22 of 22

“wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

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 5:11 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 5:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:30Zephaniah 1:13Micah 6:15James 2:6Haggai 1:6Revelation 11:8-10

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