King James Version

What Does Amos 5:12 Mean?

Amos 5:12 in the King James Version says “For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn as...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Amos 5:12 · KJV

Context

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.

14

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Read Amos 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins—God's comprehensive knowledge (yada' rabim pish'eikhem va'atsumim chatoteikhem, יָדַע רַבִּים פִּשְׁעֵיכֶם וַעֲצֻמִים חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם) uses two words for sin: pesha' (פֶּשַׁע, "transgression/rebellion") denotes willful covenant violation, while chatta't (חַטָּאת, "sin") means missing the mark. "Manifold" (rabim, רַבִּים, "many") and "mighty" (atsumim, עֲצֻמִים, "strong/numerous") emphasize both quantity and severity of their guilt.

Three specific crimes follow: they afflict the just (tsorerim tsaddiq, צֹרְרִים צַדִּיק)—oppressing righteous people; they take a bribe (loqchei kofer, לֹקְחֵי כֹפֶר)—kofer (כֹּפֶר) is ransom or bribe money that perverts justice; they turn aside the poor in the gate (ve'evyonim bash-sha'ar hittu, וְאֶבְיוֹנִים בַּשַּׁעַר הִטּוּ)—denying the poor (evyon, אֶבְיוֹן) their legal rights. The gate was where justice should be administered, but Israel's courts sold verdicts to the wealthy. This triad—oppressing the righteous, accepting bribes, denying the poor justice—summarizes systemic corruption that violates Torah repeatedly (Exodus 23:6-8; Deuteronomy 16:19, 27:19).

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Historical & Cultural Context

During Jeroboam II's prosperous reign (793-753 BC), Israel experienced territorial expansion and economic growth, but wealth concentrated among elites who built it on exploitation. Archaeological evidence from Samaria reveals massive inequality—ivory palaces for the rich, while debt slavery enslaved the poor. Courts that should have protected the vulnerable instead sold justice. God's detailed knowledge of their crimes ("I know") meant no secret sin escaped divine notice—accountability was coming.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do wealth and power corrupt justice systems even in societies with formal legal protections?
  2. What does it mean that God knows not just our actions but the "manifold" and "mighty" nature of our sins?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּ֤י1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙2 of 13

“For I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

רַבִּ֣ים3 of 13

“your manifold”

H7227

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

פִּשְׁעֵיכֶ֔ם4 of 13

“transgressions”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

וַעֲצֻמִ֖ים5 of 13

“and your mighty”

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

חַטֹּֽאתֵיכֶ֑ם6 of 13

“sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

צֹרְרֵ֤י7 of 13

“they afflict”

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

צַדִּיק֙8 of 13

“the just”

H6662

just

לֹ֣קְחֵי9 of 13

“they take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כֹ֔פֶר10 of 13

“a bribe”

H3724

properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)

וְאֶבְיוֹנִ֖ים11 of 13

“the poor”

H34

destitute

בַּשַּׁ֥עַר12 of 13

“in the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הִטּֽוּ׃13 of 13

“and they 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)

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 5:12 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 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 2:6-7Amos 5:10Isaiah 1:23Psalms 26:9-101 Samuel 8:3Acts 7:52

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