King James Version

What Does Amos 5:24 Mean?

Amos 5:24 in the King James Version says “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. run: Heb. roll” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. run: Heb. roll”

Amos 5:24 · KJV

Context

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

23

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

24

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. run: Heb. roll

25

Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

26

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. the tabernacle: or, Siccuth your king

Read Amos 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amid Amos's condemnation of Israel's hypocritical worship (5:21-23), God declares what He actually desires: "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." The Hebrew veyigal kamayim mishpat utzedaqah kenahal eitan (וְיִגַּל כַּמַּיִם מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה כְּנַחַל אֵיתָן) uses powerful water imagery to describe the justice and righteousness God requires.

"Let judgment run down" (veyigal... mishpat) uses galal (גָּלַל, "roll, flow") with mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט, "justice/judgment"). The verb suggests rolling, cascading water—continuous, unstoppable flow. "As waters" (kamayim) evokes abundant, life-giving streams in contrast to the wadis (dry riverbeds) common in Israel that only flow during rainy season. God wants justice flowing continually, not intermittently.

"Righteousness as a mighty stream" intensifies the imagery. Tzedaqah (צְדָקָה) means righteousness, rightness, what is just and fair. Nachal (נַחַל) is a wadi or stream bed, while eitan (אֵיתָן) means enduring, permanent, perennial. Most wadis dried up in summer, but a nachal eitan flowed year-round from constant spring source. God demands righteousness that never fails—perpetual, reliable, life-sustaining justice flowing through society.

The context (verses 21-23) makes clear that God rejects worship divorced from justice. He despises Israel's festivals, refuses their sacrifices, won't hear their songs—why? Because their worship coexists with oppression, bribery, and injustice. Martin Luther King Jr. famously quoted this verse in his "I Have a Dream" speech, applying it to racial justice. The principle is timeless: God values ethical living over religious ritual. As Micah 6:8 states: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

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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 5:24 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 · 6 words
וְיִגַּ֥ל1 of 6

“run down”

H1556

to roll (literally or figuratively)

כַּמַּ֖יִם2 of 6

“as waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִשְׁפָּ֑ט3 of 6

“But let judgment”

H4941

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

וּצְדָקָ֖ה4 of 6

“and righteousness”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

כְּנַ֥חַל5 of 6

“stream”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

אֵיתָֽן׃6 of 6

“as a mighty”

H386

permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

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 5:24 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 5:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 6:8Jeremiah 22:3Hosea 6:6Proverbs 21:3Mark 12:32-34Amos 5:14-15

Test Your Knowledge

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

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