King James Version

What Does Amos 7:8 Mean?

Amos 7:8 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plum...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:”

Amos 7:8 · KJV

Context

6

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

7

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

8

And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:

9

And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

10

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

Read Amos 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי מָה־אַתָּה רֹאֶה עָמוֹס וָאֹמַר אֲנָךְ)—God engages Amos in dialogue, asking what he sees. This pedagogical method appears in other visions (Jeremiah 1:11, 13; Amos 8:2; Zechariah 4:2, 5:2). God doesn't just show visions; He ensures the prophet understands by prompting articulation and then providing interpretation. Amos's simple response, "A plumbline" (anak, אֲנָךְ), sets up God's explanation in the second half of the verse.

Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel (וַיֹּאמֶר אֲדֹנָי הִנְנִי שָׂם אֲנָךְ בְּקֶרֶב עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל)—God announces His action: "I will set a plumbline" (hineni sam anak, הִנְנִי שָׂם אֲנָךְ). The phrase "in the midst of my people Israel" (beqerev ammi Yisra'el, בְּקֶרֶב עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל) indicates thorough, comprehensive inspection—not superficial examination but penetrating assessment of the nation's core. The possessive "my people" (ammi, עַמִּי) is poignant; despite their rebellion, God still calls them His own, making their failure more tragic.

I will not again pass by them any more (לֹא־אוֹסִיף עוֹד עֲבוֹר לוֹ)—this is the turning point. The verb avar (עָבַר, "pass by/pass over") can mean to overlook, spare, or forgive (Proverbs 19:11, Micah 7:18). God has been "passing by" Israel's sins, giving opportunity for repentance, interceding through prophets, relenting from judgment (as in verses 3, 6). But now He declares: "I will not again pass by them" (lo-osif od avor lo). The double negative (lo... od, "not... again/any more") emphasizes finality. This is the last warning; the next step is execution of judgment.

This marks a crucial shift in Amos's visions. The first two prompted intercession and divine relenting; the third offers no such opportunity. Why? Israel's persistent impenitence has exhausted God's patience. Amos 4:6-11 catalogs judgments God sent to provoke repentance—famine, drought, crop failure, plague, military defeat—each ending with the devastating refrain: "yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD." After repeated warnings ignored, God declares judgment irrevocable. This same pattern appears with Pharaoh (Exodus 7-14), Eli's sons (1 Samuel 2:25, 3:14), and Judah under Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 15:1-4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse (c. 760 BC) marks the point of no return for northern Israel. Though judgment wouldn't fall immediately, it became inevitable. Within 40 years, Assyria began conquering Israelite territory; by 722 BC, Samaria fell after a three-year siege, and Israel ceased to exist as a nation. The ten northern tribes were deported to Assyria and replaced with foreign peoples (2 Kings 17:5-6, 24), fulfilling Amos's prophecies.

The tragedy is heightened by knowing how close Israel came to salvation. Twice God relented from judgment (verses 3, 6) in response to prophetic intercession. But when the plumbline inspection revealed structural unsoundness—deep-seated covenant violation, systematic injustice, religious syncretism—God declared "enough." The principle applies universally: God's patience, though vast, is not infinite. Proverbs 29:1 warns: "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Israel had been "often reproved" through Moses (Deuteronomy), Joshua (Joshua 24), Samuel (1 Samuel 12), prophets, judges, and calamities. They hardened their necks; now destruction would come "without remedy."

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God "will not again pass by" His people, and how should this affect our response to conviction of sin?
  2. How do we discern whether current difficulties are warnings providing opportunity for repentance or irrevocable judgments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 22

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 22

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֗י3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָֽה4 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אַתָּ֤ה5 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

רֹאֶה֙6 of 22

“what seest”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עָמ֔וֹס7 of 22

“unto me Amos”

H5986

amos, an israelite prophet

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 22

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲנָךְ֙9 of 22

“A plumbline”

H594

according to most a plumb-line, and to others a hook

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר10 of 22

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֗י11 of 22

“the Lord”

H136

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

הִנְנִ֨י12 of 22
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

שָׂ֤ם13 of 22

“Behold I will set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֲנָךְ֙14 of 22

“A plumbline”

H594

according to most a plumb-line, and to others a hook

בְּקֶ֙רֶב֙15 of 22

“in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

עַמִּ֣י16 of 22

“of my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל17 of 22

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֹֽא18 of 22
H3808

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

אוֹסִ֥יף19 of 22

“I will not again”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֖וֹד20 of 22
H5750

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

עֲב֥וֹר21 of 22

“pass by”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

לֽוֹ׃22 of 22
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 7:8 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 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 8:2Lamentations 2:8Jeremiah 15:6Ezekiel 7:2-9Isaiah 28:172 Kings 21:13

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