This is what the LORD says:This phrase introduces a divine oracle, emphasizing that the message comes directly from God. It establishes the authority and seriousness of the prophecy. The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the covenant name of God, Yahweh, highlighting His relationship with Israel and His sovereignty over all nations.
For three transgressions of Damascus, even four:
This expression is a Hebrew idiom indicating a fullness or completeness of sin, suggesting that Damascus has committed numerous offenses. Damascus, the capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), was a significant city in the ancient Near East. The phrase implies that the sins of Damascus have reached a tipping point, warranting divine judgment.
I will not revoke My judgment:
God's decision is firm and irreversible. This underscores the certainty of the impending judgment due to the persistent and grievous nature of the sins committed. It reflects God's justice and the principle that persistent sin leads to inevitable consequences.
because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron:
This imagery describes a brutal and violent act against the people of Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River. Threshing with iron sledges suggests severe oppression and cruelty, akin to the agricultural process of separating grain from chaff. Historically, this likely refers to the Aramean invasions and the harsh treatment of the Israelites in Gilead. The metaphor highlights the inhumanity and severity of the actions that have provoked God's judgment.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AmosA prophet from Tekoa, called by God to deliver messages of judgment to Israel and surrounding nations.
2.
DamascusThe capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), known for its wealth and military power.
3.
GileadA region east of the Jordan River, often associated with the tribes of Gad and Manasseh, known for its balm and fertile land.
4.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through His prophets to deliver His judgments.
5.
TransgressionsRefers to the repeated sins or offenses committed by Damascus, which have provoked God's judgment.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of God's JudgmentGod's declaration "I will not revoke My judgment" emphasizes His commitment to justice. Believers should understand that God's patience has limits, and persistent sin will be addressed.
The Weight of SinThe phrase "for three transgressions, even four" indicates a fullness or completeness of sin. It serves as a reminder that God is aware of all our actions, and repeated offenses accumulate before Him.
The Importance of JusticeThe specific sin of Damascus, "threshing Gilead with sledges of iron," highlights the brutality and injustice that God condemns. Christians are called to act justly and oppose oppression in all forms.
God's Sovereignty Over NationsThis passage shows that God holds all nations accountable, not just Israel. Believers should trust in God's ultimate control over world events and His ability to bring about His purposes.
Repentance and MercyWhile this verse focuses on judgment, the broader biblical account offers hope through repentance. Christians should be encouraged to seek God's mercy and turn from sin.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Amos 1:3?
2.What does "three transgressions...and for four" signify about God's judgment in Amos 1:3?
3.How can we recognize modern parallels to the sins of Damascus in Amos 1:3?
4.What other scriptures highlight God's intolerance for repeated sin and injustice?
5.How should Amos 1:3 influence our response to societal injustices today?
6.What personal actions can we take to avoid God's judgment as seen in Amos?
7.What does Amos 1:3 reveal about God's judgment on nations?
8.How does Amos 1:3 reflect God's justice and mercy?
9.Why does God punish Damascus in Amos 1:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Amos 1?
11.(Amos 1:3) Are there historical records confirming any “threshing” of Gilead by Damascus in the manner Amos describes?
12.What does "three sins, even four" mean in the Bible?
13.What lessons does Amos teach about justice and righteousness?
14.What does the Bible say about Damascus?What Does Amos 1:3 Mean
This is what the LORD says- Amos opens with the prophetic formula, signaling divine, not human, authority (Isaiah 1:10;Jeremiah 1:4-5).
- By prefacing his oracle this way, Amos reminds listeners that every word to follow carries the weight of the covenant-keeping God who spoke from Sinai (Exodus 20:1).
- The statement also assures Israel that the LORD still speaks into current events, just as He did through earlier prophets such as Elijah confronting Ahab (1 Kings 17:1).
For three transgressions of Damascus, even four- The “three… even four” pattern is a Hebrew way of stressing fullness or overflow (Proverbs 30:18-19, 21-24). God has patiently watched successive sins pile up; the iniquity quota is now overflowing.
- Damascus refers to Aram (modern Syria), long-time foe of Israel (2 Kings 8:12;2 Chronicles 24:23).
- By starting with a foreign nation, Amos gains the attention of his Israelite audience, who likely nod in agreement—until later oracles turn toward them (Amos 2:6-8).
I will not revoke My judgment- God’s patience has limits; when a society crosses His moral lines, judgment becomes certain (Nahum 1:3;Romans 2:5).
- “Not revoke” underscores divine immutability: “God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind” (Numbers 23:19).
- The announcement counters any false hope that political alliances or religious rituals could cancel the coming discipline (Isaiah 31:1;Micah 6:6-8).
Because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron- Damascus’ particular crime was brutal warfare against Gilead, Israel’s territory east of the Jordan (2 Kings 10:32-33).
- “Threshed… with sledges of iron” pictures grain crushed under sharp, studded boards—graphic language for atrocities committed against civilians (2 Kings 13:7).
- Such cruelty violates God’s moral law for nations (Psalm 9:15-20) and His concern for the oppressed (Deuteronomy 24:14-15).
summaryAmos 1:3 declares that the all-seeing Lord has set a limit to Damascus’ violence. Repeated sins have filled up, and divine judgment is now irrevocable. The verse warns every nation—ancient or modern—that God measures cruelty, remembers the suffering of innocents, and will act when wickedness overflows.
CURSE ON DAMASCUS.
(3)Three transgressions . . .--This form of transgression, which occurs eight times in the prologue, is not an arithmetical, but a strongly idiomatic phrase, signifying "multiplied or repeated delinquencies" (Henderson).
Turn away . . .--Rather,will not turn it back--i.e., the sore judgment I have purposed. (Comp.2Kings 10:32-33.)
Verses 3-5. - Before announcing the judgment on Israel, Amos proclaims the punishment on neighbouring heathen nations for their injurious treatment of the chosen people, thus showing God's care for his elect, and leading them to fear vengeance for their own greater sins towards him. The order observed in denouncing these nations is not geographical, but is regulated by the nature of each people's relation to Israel, and the degree in which they have sinned against her. The denunciation begins with Syria, her hitherto most oppressive enemy, and the least akin.
Verse 3. -
For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four. This form of expression is repeated in each of the following strophes, and some critics have taken the terms literally, and have tried to identify that particular number of transgressions in each case; but this is trifling. The phrase and others similar to it are not uncommon, and are used to signify a great number, the last mentioned being supposed to fill up the measure and make it overflow. Thus
Job 5:19, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee" (comp.
Job 33:29;
Proverbs 30:15, 18, 21;
Ecclesiastes 11:2). So Hom., 'Od.,' 5:306,
Τρισμάκαρες Δαναοὶ καὶτετράκισ: and Virg., 'AEn.,' 1:94, "O terque quaterque beati;" comp. Hor., 'Carm,' 1:31, 13.
Damascus had been an active enemy of Israel since the time that Rezon threw off his allegiance (
1 Kings 11:23, etc.), and seized Damascus, which had been tributary to David (
2 Samuel 8:5). The history of the wars carried on by Syria against the Jews may be read in the sacred books (see
1 Kings 15:19, etc.;
2 Chronicles 16:2, etc.;
1 Kings 20;
1 Kings 22;
2 Kings 7;
2 Kings 9:14, etc.; 2 Kings 10:32, etc.; 2 Kings 12:18; 13:5, 25;
2 Chronicles 24:23, etc.;
2 Kings 14:28).
I will not turn away the punishment thereof. So in the following strophes. Literally,
I will not reverse it. Amos does not expressly say
what; but he means the sentence or judgment (comp.
Numbers 23:20, "I cannot reverse it," where the same word is used). The Latin Vulgate gives,
Non convertam eum,
i.e.Damascum, which Knabenbauer explains, "I will not avert its destruction, will not turn it aside from its downward course." The LXX. renders,
Οὐκ ἀποστραφήσομαι αὐτόν, "I will not turn away from it,"
i.e., as explained by Theodoret, "I will no longer disregard its sins."
Because they have threshed Gilead. This is the culminating offence of the Syrians. The word rendered "threshing instrument" (
charutz) signifies a kind of corn drag made of heavy planks fastened together and armed beneath with sharp stones or iron points. This machine, weighted with the driver who sat or stood upon it, was drawn by oxen over the corn (comp.
Isaiah 28:27;
Isaiah 41:15). A representation of it is given by Smith, 'Dict. of Bible,' 1:31, and Kitto, 'Cyclop.,' 1:86. Such an instrument, set with sharp flints in rows, was to be seen in the Indian and Colonial Exhibition of the year 1886, in the Cyprus department. Another kind of instrmuent (
moreg) is thus described by Jerome: "Est autem genus plaustri, quod rotis subter ferreis atque dentatis volvitur, ut excussis frumentis stipulam in areis conterat, et in cibos jumentorum propter foeni sterilitatem paleas comminuat." Such an implement was used in the infliction of capital punishment by David (
2 Samuel 12:31; comp.
Proverbs 20:26).
Gilead is here put for all the country east of Jordan (
Joshua 22:9). The cruel treatment referred to in the text occurred in the time of Hazael during the reign of Jehu (
2 Kings 10:32, etc.; comp. 13:7). The Septuagint has, "Because with iron saws they sawed asunder women with child." This is doubtless a reminiscence of Elisha's words to Hazael (
2 Kings 8:12).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
This is whatכֹּ֚ה(kōh)Adverb
Strong's 3541:Like this, thus, here, nowthe LORDיְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelsays:אָמַ֣ר(’ā·mar)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Forעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthreeשְׁלֹשָׁה֙(šə·lō·šāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thricetransgressionsפִּשְׁעֵ֣י(piš·‘ê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6588:Transgressionof Damascus,דַמֶּ֔שֶׂק(ḏam·me·śeq)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834:Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)evenוְעַל־(wə·‘al-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstfour,אַרְבָּעָ֖ה(’ar·bā·‘āh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 702:FourI will notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, norevoke [My judgment],אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ(’ă·šî·ḇen·nū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againbecauseעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthey threshedדּוּשָׁ֛ם(dū·šām)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1758:To trample, threshGileadהַגִּלְעָֽד׃(hag·gil·‘āḏ)Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568:Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israeliteswith sledgesבַּחֲרֻצ֥וֹת(ba·ḥă·ru·ṣō·wṯ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2742:Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eagerof iron.הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל(hab·bar·zel)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270:Iron, an iron implement
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OT Prophets: Amos 1:3 Thus says Yahweh: For three transgressions (Amo. Am) 
