King James Version

What Does Amos 7:3 Mean?

Amos 7:3 in the King James Version says “The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.” — study this verse from Amos chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.”

Amos 7:3 · KJV

Context

1

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. grasshoppers: or, green worms

2

And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. by: or, who of (or, for,) Jacob shall stand?

3

The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

4

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.

5

Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. by: or, who of (or, for,) Jacob shall stand?

Read Amos 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD (נִחַם יְהוָה עַל־זֹאת לֹא תִהְיֶה אָמַר יְהוָה)—God's response to Amos's intercession is immediate and gracious. The verb nacham (נָחַם, "repented/relented/had compassion") describes God changing His announced course of action in response to human repentance or intercession. This theological concept appears throughout Scripture: God "repented" of destroying Israel after the golden calf (Exodus 32:14), "repented" of sending disaster on Nineveh when they repented (Jonah 3:10), and repeatedly relents when prophets intercede (Jeremiah 26:13, 19; Joel 2:13-14).

The declaration "It shall not be" (lo tihyeh, לֹא תִהְיֶה) cancels the threatened judgment—the locust plague will not consume Israel's crops. "Saith the LORD" (amar YHWH, אָמַר יְהוָה) is the prophetic formula affirming divine authority. What God decrees must happen; what He cancels cannot occur. This demonstrates that God's announced judgments are often conditional warnings designed to provoke repentance and intercession, not immutable decrees. Jeremiah 18:7-10 explicates this principle: "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation... to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation... turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them."

Theologically, this raises questions about divine immutability. How can God "repent" if He is unchanging (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17)? The resolution: God's character and purposes are unchanging, but His actions respond to changing human conditions within covenant relationship. God's unchanging resolve is to bless obedience and judge rebellion; when humans shift from rebellion to repentance (or vice versa), God's response changes accordingly. This isn't capriciousness but covenant faithfulness. The Reformed tradition emphasizes that God's decrees are eternal, yet He ordains both ends and means—including that prayer influences outcomes according to His sovereign plan.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse records the first of three instances where God relents from announced judgment in Amos 7-8. The pattern is significant: Amos intercedes twice (7:2-3, 7:5-6), and God relents both times. But in the third and fourth visions (7:7-9, 8:1-3), there is no intercession, and God declares "I will not again pass by them any more" (7:8, 8:2). The shift from relenting to irreversible judgment marks a crucial turning point in Israel's history.

Why the change? The text implies that Israel's persistent impenitence despite repeated warnings exhausted divine patience. God's forbearance has limits; grace can be presumed upon once too often. This tragic progression appears throughout biblical history: Pharaoh hardened his heart until God hardened it for him (Exodus 7-14); Israel rejected prophets until God sent them into exile (2 Chronicles 36:15-17); Judah ignored Jeremiah until Babylon destroyed Jerusalem (Jeremiah 25:3-11). The principle terrifies: there comes a point where opportunity for repentance expires, and threatened judgment becomes inescapable reality.

Yet God's relenting in verses 3 and 6 demonstrates His fundamental character: "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8). He doesn't delight in judgment (Ezekiel 18:32, 33:11) but desires repentance and restoration. Even after declaring irrevocable judgment (7:8, 8:2), Amos concludes with restoration promises (9:11-15). God's final word is never destruction but redemption through Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's relenting from judgment demonstrate both His mercy and His responsiveness to intercession?
  2. What does the pattern of delayed judgment followed by inevitable judgment teach about presuming on God's patience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
נִחַ֥ם1 of 8

“repented”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

יְהוָֽה׃2 of 8

“The LORD”

H3068

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

עַל3 of 8
H5921

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

זֹ֑את4 of 8
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לֹ֥א5 of 8
H3808

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

תִהְיֶ֖ה6 of 8
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אָמַ֥ר7 of 8

“for this It shall not be saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 8

“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 7:3 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 7:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32:36Jonah 3:10Hosea 11:8Amos 7:6Psalms 106:45Joel 2:14

Test Your Knowledge

Amos 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterAmos Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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