King James Version

What Does Amos 9:6 Mean?

Amos 9:6 in the King James Version says “It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the water...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. stories: or, spheres: Heb. ascensions troop: or, bundle”

Amos 9:6 · KJV

Context

4

And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

5

And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.

6

It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. stories: or, spheres: Heb. ascensions troop: or, bundle

7

Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

8

Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.

Read Amos 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth (הַבּוֹנֶה בַשָּׁמַיִם מַעֲלוֹתָו וַאֲגֻדָּתוֹ עַל־אֶרֶץ יְסָדָהּ)—the verb banah (בָּנָה, build) describes God as cosmic architect. The ma'alot (מַעֲלוֹת, stories/chambers/stairs) refers to heavenly dwelling-places or stories (some translate "upper chambers"). The aguddah (אֲגֻדָּה) means "vault/arch/foundation"—possibly the firmament or earth's foundation. He that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name (הַקֹּרֵא לְמֵי־הַיָּם וַיִּשְׁפְּכֵם עַל־פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ יְהוָה שְׁמוֹ)—God controls the hydrological cycle, calling (qara, קָרָא) sea waters that He pours out (shaphak, שָׁפַךְ) as rain or flood.

This doxology affirms God as Creator and Sustainer of cosmic order—heaven above, earth below, waters completing the triad. The emphasis on God's name (שֵׁם, shem) being Yahweh connects creation theology to covenant identity: the same God who built the cosmos made covenant with Israel and will judge their violation. The passage echoes Genesis 1-2 (creation), Job 38 (God's cosmic governance), and Psalm 104 (God's sustaining providence). The Reformed understanding emphasizes God's meticulous providence—He doesn't merely create then step back but actively governs all natural processes. The waters don't move randomly but at His call, poured out where He wills.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cosmology envisioned a three-tiered universe: heaven above (divine dwelling), earth (human realm), and waters below/around (chaos). Amos affirms that Yahweh alone governs all three realms, contrasting with pagan gods who divided these domains. Baal, the Canaanite storm god, claimed authority over rain and fertility—Amos declares that Yahweh calls the waters and pours them out. This isn't poetic language but theological polemic: Israel's covenant God controls what pagans attribute to Baal. The seasonal rains essential for Palestinian agriculture obey Yahweh's call, not Baal's. Within 30 years, when Assyria destroyed Israel (722 BC), they would learn that Yahweh's control over creation extends to historical judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God as both Creator (who built heaven's chambers and earth's vault) and Sustainer (who calls and pours the waters) affect your trust in His providential care?
  2. What does the emphasis on 'the LORD is his name' teach about the inseparability of creation theology and covenant relationship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הַבּוֹנֶ֤ה1 of 16

“It is he that buildeth”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙2 of 16

“in the heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

מַעֲלוֹתָ֔ו3 of 16

“his stories”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

וַאֲגֻדָּת֖וֹ4 of 16

“his troop”

H92

a band, bundle, knot, or arch

עַל5 of 16
H5921

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ6 of 16

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְסָדָ֑הּ7 of 16

“and hath founded”

H3245

to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult

הַקֹּרֵ֣א8 of 16

“he that calleth”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְמֵֽי9 of 16

“for the waters”

H4325

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

הַיָּ֗ם10 of 16

“of the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וַֽיִּשְׁפְּכֵ֛ם11 of 16

“and poureth them out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

עַל12 of 16
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֥י13 of 16

“upon the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאָ֖רֶץ14 of 16

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוָ֥ה15 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

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

שְׁמֽוֹ׃16 of 16

“is his name”

H8034

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

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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 104:3Amos 5:8Amos 4:13Psalms 104:13Jeremiah 5:22Genesis 2:1

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