King James Version

What Does Amos 5:2 Mean?

Amos 5:2 in the King James Version says “The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.”

Amos 5:2 · KJV

Context

1

Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel.

2

The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.

3

For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.

4

For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:

Read Amos 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise (נָפְלָה לֹא־תוֹסִיף קוּם בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, naphlah lo-tosif qum betulat Yisrael)—the verb naphal (נָפַל, "fallen") in the perfect tense indicates completed action: Israel has fallen, not will fall. From God's eternal perspective, their doom is so certain it's spoken as accomplished fact. The term "virgin of Israel" (betulat Yisrael, בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל) depicts the nation as young woman in her prime, emphasizing tragic waste—Israel dies before fulfilling her destiny. The phrase she shall no more rise (lo-tosif qum, לֹא־תוֹסִיף קוּם) uses emphatic negative: absolutely will not rise again. This prophesies Israel's permanent end as political entity.

The verse continues: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up (nitshah al-admatah ein meqimah, נִטְּשָׁה עַל־אַדְמָתָהּ אֵין מְקִימָהּ). The verb natash (נָטַשׁ, "forsaken/abandoned") describes corpse left unburied—the ultimate indignity in ancient culture. Israel lies dead on her own land with no one to bury her or raise her up. The imagery evokes battlefield carnage where bodies rot unburied. This reverses covenant promise: God gave Israel the land as inheritance, but now she lies dead upon it, forsaken. The phrase "none to raise her up" emphasizes total abandonment—no ally, no rescuer, no hope of recovery.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery of "virgin of Israel" lying dead resonates with ancient Near Eastern lament traditions. Daughters represented hope, future, posterity—a virgin's death before marriage and childbearing was tragedy compounded. By depicting Israel this way, Amos emphasizes wasted potential and permanent loss. The prophecy fulfilled literally in 722 BC when Assyria conquered Samaria, deported the population, and repopulated the land with foreigners (2 Kings 17:6, 24). The northern kingdom never recovered—the ten tribes were "lost" to history. Jeremiah later uses similar imagery for Judah (Jeremiah 14:17, 18:13), showing this prophetic tradition continued. Yet God's ultimate purposes transcend national Israel's failure—the New Covenant in Christ brings resurrection life to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike (Ephesians 2:11-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does describing Israel as "virgin" intensify the tragedy of their coming judgment?
  2. What does it mean that Israel's doom is spoken in past tense ("is fallen") before it historically occurred?
  3. How does this lament relate to Christ's weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) before its destruction in AD 70?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
נָֽפְלָה֙1 of 11

“is fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לֹֽא2 of 11
H3808

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

תוֹסִ֣יף3 of 11

“she shall no more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

מְקִימָֽהּ׃4 of 11

“rise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

בְּתוּלַ֖ת5 of 11

“The virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל6 of 11

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

נִטְּשָׁ֥ה7 of 11

“she is forsaken”

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

עַל8 of 11
H5921

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

אַדְמָתָ֖הּ9 of 11

“upon her land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֵ֥ין10 of 11
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְקִימָֽהּ׃11 of 11

“rise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

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 5:2 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 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:172 Kings 17:16Amos 7:2-5Isaiah 37:22Hosea 6:22 Kings 15:29

Test Your Knowledge

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

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