King James Version

What Does Amos 6:10 Mean?

Amos 6:10 in the King James Version says “And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unt...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD. we: or, they will not, or, have not”

Amos 6:10 · KJV

Context

8

The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. that: Heb. the fulness thereof

9

And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.

10

And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD. we: or, they will not, or, have not

11

For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts. breaches: or, droppings

12

Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

Read Amos 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house—Jewish burial custom involved family members retrieving bodies. דּוֹד (dod, 'uncle') represents extended family obligation. The phrase 'burneth him' (וּמְסָרְפוֹ, um'sarfo) is unusual—Jews typically didn't cremate except in extreme circumstances (plague, war, desecration prevention). And shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No.—a survivor check finds none remaining. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD (הַס כִּי־לֹא לְהַזְכִּיר בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָה, has ki-lo l'hazkir b'shem-YHWH)—either fearing to invoke God's name amidst judgment or recognizing their covenant-breaking forfeited the right to call on Him.

This chilling scene depicts absolute desolation and spiritual terror. The command to silence suggests recognition that God has turned against them—speaking His name might bring further judgment. When people can no longer pray, judgment has reached its fullest expression.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse reflects the horrors of siege warfare and conquest's aftermath—mass death, emergency cremation, and terrorized survivors afraid to invoke their covenant God. The psychological and spiritual devastation matches physical destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to be unable or afraid to invoke God's name—complete abandonment or self-imposed silence?
  2. How should this terrifying scene motivate urgent faithfulness while we can still freely call on God's name?
  3. What warning does this give about societies or churches where God's name becomes increasingly unwelcome?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וּנְשָׂא֞וֹ1 of 22

“shall take him up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

דּוֹד֣וֹ2 of 22

“And a man's uncle”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

וּמְסָרְפ֗וֹ3 of 22

“and he that burneth”

H5635

to cremate, i.e., to be (near) of kin (such being privileged to kindle the pyre)

לְהוֹצִ֣יא4 of 22

“him to bring out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

עֲצָמִים֮5 of 22

“the bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

מִן6 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבַּ֛יִת7 of 22

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְאָמַ֣ר8 of 22

“Is there yet any with thee and he shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַאֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּיַרְכְּתֵ֥י10 of 22

“unto him that is by the sides”

H3411

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

הַבַּ֛יִת11 of 22

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַע֥וֹד12 of 22
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

עִמָּ֖ךְ13 of 22
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְאָמַ֣ר14 of 22

“Is there yet any with thee and he shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָ֑פֶס15 of 22

“No”

H657

cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f

וְאָמַ֣ר16 of 22

“Is there yet any with thee and he shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָ֔ס17 of 22

“Hold thy tongue”

H2013

to hush

כִּ֛י18 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א19 of 22
H3808

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

לְהַזְכִּ֖יר20 of 22

“for we may not make mention”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

בְּשֵׁ֥ם21 of 22

“of the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 6:10 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 6:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 31:12Amos 8:3Amos 5:13Ezekiel 20:39Numbers 17:12Jeremiah 44:26

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