King James Version

What Does Amos 5:15 Mean?

Amos 5:15 in the King James Version says “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be graci...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.”

Amos 5:15 · KJV

Love

Context

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.

15

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

16

Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

17

And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amos intensifies the command: "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." The Hebrew sin'u-ra ve'ehevu tov vehatzzigu vasha'ar mishpat ulay yechanan YHWH Elohei-tzeva'ot she'erit Yosef moves from internal disposition (hate/love) to public action (establish justice) to hopeful possibility (maybe mercy).

"Hate the evil" (sin'u-ra) uses sane' (שָׂנֵא), strong revulsion and rejection. "Love the good" (ve'ehevu tov) uses ahav (אָהַב), covenant love and devotion. God demands not mere external compliance but transformed affections—hating what He hates, loving what He loves. Romans 12:9 commands: "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

"Establish judgment in the gate" (vehatzzigu vasha'ar mishpat) addresses Israel's corrupt judicial system. The "gate" (sha'ar) was where elders held court, deciding disputes and rendering verdicts (Ruth 4:1-11, Proverbs 31:23). Israel's judges took bribes (5:12), twisted justice, and oppressed the poor. Amos demands restoration of righteous judgment—fair courts, honest verdicts, protection for the vulnerable.

The phrase "it may be" (ulay, אוּלַי) introduces uncertainty—not about God's character but about Israel's response and the lateness of the hour. Will they actually repent? Is it too late? The hope extended to "the remnant of Joseph" (she'erit Yosef) indicates that even if judgment comes, a faithful remnant might survive. Throughout Scripture, God preserves a remnant (Isaiah 10:20-22, Romans 9:27, 11:5). This demonstrates that while corporate judgment may be inevitable, individual repentance always matters. Those who turn to God, even at the eleventh hour, find mercy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah, prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). This was a time of territorial expansion and economic boom, creating massive wealth inequality. The wealthy elite oppressed the poor through debt slavery, corrupt courts, and economic exploitation. Despite maintaining elaborate worship at Bethel and Dan, Israel had abandoned covenant faithfulness for social injustice and religious syncretism. Amos condemned their exploitation of the vulnerable while predicting imminent judgment through Assyrian conquest. His prophecies were fulfilled when Assyria destroyed Israel in 722 BC, about 30 years after his ministry.

Amos was contemporary with Hosea and ministered during Israel's last period of prosperity before destruction. As a southerner from Judah called to prophesy in northern Israel, he was an unwelcome outsider delivering an unwanted message. His emphasis on social justice and his declaration that religious ritual cannot substitute for righteousness make his message perpetually relevant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Amos 5:15 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
שִׂנְאוּ1 of 14

“Hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

רָע֙2 of 14

“the evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְאֶ֣הֱבוּ3 of 14

“and love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

ט֔וֹב4 of 14

“the good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְהַצִּ֥יגוּ5 of 14

“and establish”

H3322

to place permanently

בַשַּׁ֖עַר6 of 14

“in the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

מִשְׁפָּ֑ט7 of 14

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

אוּלַ֗י8 of 14
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יֶֽחֱנַ֛ן9 of 14

“will be gracious”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

יְהוָ֥ה10 of 14

“it may be that the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽי11 of 14

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

צְבָא֖וֹת12 of 14

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

שְׁאֵרִ֥ית13 of 14

“unto the remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יוֹסֵֽף׃14 of 14

“of Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

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 5:15 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 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:93 John 1:11Psalms 97:10Joel 2:141 Thessalonians 5:21-22Micah 5:7-8

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