King James Version

What Does Amos 6:8 Mean?

Amos 6:8 in the King James Version says “The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palac...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Amos 6:8 · KJV

Context

6

That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. wine: or, in bowls of wine affliction: Heb. breach

7

Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.

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

Read Amos 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself (נִשְׁבַּע אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה בְּנַפְשׁוֹ, nishba Adonai YHWH b'nafsho, literally 'sworn by His soul/life')—when God swears by Himself, the oath is irrevocable (Hebrews 6:13-18). I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces (תֹּעֵב אָנֹכִי אֶת־גְּאוֹן יַעֲקֹב וְאַרְמְנֹתָיו שָׂנֵאתִי, toev anochi et-ge'on Ya'akov v'armenotav saneti)—the Hebrew intensifies with both 'abhor' (תָּעַב, ta'av) and 'hate' (שָׂנֵא, sane). גְּאוֹן (ge'on, 'pride, excellency') here means arrogant self-sufficiency, not legitimate glory. Therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein—total destruction.

This shocking statement—God abhors and hates His covenant people—demonstrates how sin transforms blessing into curse. Their 'excellency' (covenant status, prosperity) became pride; their palaces (symbols of success) became monuments to oppression. When people pervert God's gifts into idols, He turns against even His own people (Isaiah 1:14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria's fall in 722 BC fulfilled this oath. The city God once blessed became the object of His judgment. This demonstrates covenant faithfulness: God keeps His word for blessing or curse, depending on Israel's obedience (Deuteronomy 28).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can God's covenant people become objects of His abhorrence through persistent sin and pride?
  2. What 'excellency' or 'palaces'—church buildings, programs, reputations—might God hate if they're built on compromise?
  3. Why is God's oath by Himself both terrifying (guaranteeing judgment) and comforting (guaranteeing salvation through Christ)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
נִשְׁבַּע֩1 of 18

“hath sworn”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

אֲדֹנָ֨י2 of 18

“The Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֜ה3 of 18

“GOD”

H3069

god

בְּנַפְשׁ֗וֹ4 of 18

“by himself”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

נְאֻם5 of 18

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָה֙6 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י7 of 18

“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

צְבָא֔וֹת8 of 18

“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

מְתָאֵ֤ב9 of 18

“I abhor”

H8374

to loathe (morally)

אָֽנֹכִי֙10 of 18
H595

i

אֶת11 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גְּא֣וֹן12 of 18

“the excellency”

H1347

the same as h1346

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב13 of 18

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְאַרְמְנֹתָ֖יו14 of 18

“his palaces”

H759

a citadel (from its height)

שָׂנֵ֑אתִי15 of 18

“and hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

וְהִסְגַּרְתִּ֖י16 of 18

“therefore will I deliver up”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

עִ֥יר17 of 18

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּמְלֹאָֽהּ׃18 of 18

“with all that is therein”

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

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 6:8 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 6:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:14Amos 4:2Amos 8:7Jeremiah 22:5Psalms 47:4Amos 3:11

Places in This Verse

Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in Amos 6 →

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