King James Version

What Does Amos 5:20 Mean?

Amos 5:20 in the King James Version says “Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?”

Amos 5:20 · KJV

Context

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.

19

As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

20

Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

21

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. in: or, your holy days

22

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. peace: or, thank offerings

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? (halo-choshekh yom-YHWH velo-or, הֲלֹא־חֹשֶׁךְ יוֹם־יְהוָה וְלֹא־אוֹר)—the rhetorical question expects "yes." Israel anticipated the Day of the LORD as light (or, אוֹר)—deliverance, vindication, blessing. Amos declares it will be darkness (choshekh, חֹשֶׁךְ)—judgment, calamity, destruction. The phrase even very dark, and no brightness in it (va'afel velo-nogah lo, וַאֲפֵל וְלֹא־נֹגַהּ לוֹ) intensifies the image: not just darkness but thick darkness (afel, אֲפֵל), with absolutely no brightness (nogah, נֹגַהּ, no glimmer of light).

"The day of the LORD" is a major prophetic theme—God's intervention in history to judge evil and vindicate His people (Isaiah 13:6-13; Joel 1:15, 2:1-11, 31; Zephaniah 1:14-18). Israel assumed they were the vindicated, not the judged. Amos reverses this: because of covenant violation, Israel will experience the Day of the LORD as darkness, not light. This prophetic theme culminates in Christ's second coming—for believers, a day of redemption (Luke 21:28); for unbelievers, a day of wrath (Revelation 6:15-17). The question isn't whether the Day comes but how we'll experience it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Amos's context (760-750 BC), Israel enjoyed prosperity and military success under Jeroboam II. They assumed God's favor and looked forward to His eschatological intervention against their enemies. Amos shocks them: God's intervention will target Israel for covenant unfaithfulness. Within 30 years, Assyria's conquest (722 BC) brought exactly this darkness—death, exile, devastation. The Day they anticipated as triumph became their nightmare.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does presuming God's favor while living in unrepentant sin set people up for devastating judgment?
  2. In what ways does the New Testament's teaching on Christ's return as both hope (for believers) and terror (for unbelievers) echo Amos 5:20?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
הֲלֹא1 of 10
H3808

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

חֹ֛שֶׁךְ2 of 10

“be darkness”

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

י֥וֹם3 of 10

“Shall not the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יְהוָ֖ה4 of 10

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְלֹא5 of 10
H3808

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

א֑וֹר6 of 10

“and not light”

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

וְאָפֵ֖ל7 of 10

“even very dark”

H651

dusky

וְלֹא8 of 10
H3808

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

נֹ֥גַֽהּ9 of 10

“and no brightness”

H5051

brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

לֽוֹ׃10 of 10
H0

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 5:20 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 5:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 13:10Zephaniah 1:15Ezekiel 34:12Job 10:21-22Nahum 1:8Job 3:4-6

Test Your Knowledge

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