King James Version

What Does Amos 5:16 Mean?

Amos 5:16 in the King James Version says “Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all t...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Amos 5:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

Read Amos 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wailing shall be in all streets... and they shall call the husbandman to mourning—This verse depicts comprehensive national lamentation when judgment arrives. God speaks as the LORD, the God of hosts (Adonai YHWH Elohei-Tzeva'ot, אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה אֱלֹהֵי־צְבָאוֹת), emphasizing His sovereignty over heavenly armies—the one announcing judgment has power to execute it. The phrase misped (מִסְפֵּד, "wailing/mourning") appears twice, along with nehi (נְהִי, "lamentation") and the cry ho-ho (הוֹ־הוֹ, "Alas! alas!")—Hebrew onomatopoeia for grief.

The imagery is striking: mourning will be so widespread that they shall call the husbandman to mourning—even farmers untrained in formal lamentation rites must be conscripted because professional mourners cannot handle the volume of death. Such as are skilful of lamentation (yod'ei nehi, יֹדְעֵי נְהִי) refers to professional mourners hired for funerals, but their expertise will be overwhelmed. Every street, every highway will echo with grief. This fulfills covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28:65-67—no rest, trembling heart, anguish of soul.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Professional mourning was common in the ancient Near East—families hired skilled lamenters for funerals (Jeremiah 9:17-18; Matthew 9:23). Amos predicts judgment so severe that professionals cannot manage it alone; amateurs must join. This was fulfilled when Assyria conquered Israel (722 BC)—mass slaughter, deportation, and exile produced exactly this overwhelming grief. The phrase "I will pass through thee" (e'evor beqirbeka, אֶעֱבֹר בְּקִרְבֶּךָ, v. 17) echoes the Passover (Exodus 12:12), but instead of passing over Israel, God will pass through in judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of coming judgment affect how we should live and speak today?
  2. What is the relationship between covenant privilege and covenant accountability in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
לָ֠כֵן1 of 23
H3651

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

כֹּֽה2 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֹאמְר֣וּ3 of 23

“and they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה4 of 23

“Therefore the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֤י5 of 23

“the 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

צְבָאוֹת֙6 of 23

“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

אֲדֹנָ֔י7 of 23

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

בְּכָל8 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רְחֹב֣וֹת9 of 23

“shall be in all streets”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

וּמִסְפֵּ֖ד10 of 23

“thus Wailing”

H4553

a lamentation

וּבְכָל11 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חוּצ֖וֹת12 of 23

“in all the highways”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

יֹאמְר֣וּ13 of 23

“and they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ה֑וֹ14 of 23

“alas”

H1930

oh!

ה֑וֹ15 of 23

“alas”

H1930

oh!

וְקָרְא֤וּ16 of 23

“and they shall call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אִכָּר֙17 of 23

“the husbandman”

H406

a farmer

אֶל18 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֔בֶל19 of 23

“to mourning”

H60

lamentation

וּמִסְפֵּ֖ד20 of 23

“thus Wailing”

H4553

a lamentation

אֶל21 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

י֥וֹדְעֵי22 of 23

“and such as are skilful”

H3045

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

נֶֽהִי׃23 of 23

“of lamentation”

H5092

an elegy

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 5:16 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 5:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 1:11Jeremiah 9:17-20Jeremiah 9:10Isaiah 22:12Joel 1:8Joel 1:14

Test Your Knowledge

Amos 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterAmos Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Amos 5 with CommentaryAll Amos ChaptersComplete Amos QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes