There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gateIn ancient Israel, the "gate" was not merely a physical entryway but a central place for legal and civic matters. Elders and judges would sit at the gate to resolve disputes and administer justice (
Deuteronomy 21:19,
Ruth 4:1). The one who "reproves" is likely a figure of authority or a prophet who calls out injustice and wrongdoing. This phrase highlights the resistance and hostility faced by those who uphold righteousness and truth, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic books. The hatred towards such figures reflects a broader societal rejection of God's standards, as seen in the persecution of prophets like Jeremiah (
Jeremiah 20:2) and the ultimate rejection of Jesus Christ, who was despised for His message of repentance (
John 15:18).
and despise him who speaks with integrity
Integrity, or moral uprightness, is a key biblical virtue (Proverbs 11:3). The disdain for those who speak with integrity indicates a society that has turned away from God's commandments, valuing deceit and corruption over truth. This mirrors the broader narrative of Israel's spiritual decline, where truth-tellers are marginalized. The rejection of integrity is not only a personal failing but a communal one, leading to societal decay. This theme is consistent with the warnings of other prophets, such as Isaiah, who lamented the lack of justice and righteousness (Isaiah 59:14). In the New Testament, Jesus embodies perfect integrity, and His followers are called to emulate this trait, even in the face of opposition (1 Peter 2:12).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AmosA prophet from Tekoa, a small town in Judah, who was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and repentance to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
2.
IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, which had fallen into idolatry and social injustice, prompting God's warnings through Amos.
3.
The GateIn ancient Israelite cities, the gate was a place of legal proceedings and public discourse, where elders and judges would sit to make decisions and offer counsel.
4.
The ReproverA person who offers correction or criticism, often a prophet or a wise elder, who speaks truth and calls for justice.
5.
IntegrityThe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, which was lacking among the leaders and people of Israel at the time.
Teaching Points
The Cost of Truth-TellingSpeaking truth and standing for righteousness often leads to rejection and hostility. Believers should be prepared for opposition when they uphold God's standards.
The Role of IntegrityIntegrity is crucial in a believer's life. It involves aligning one's actions with God's truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult.
The Importance of CorrectionReceiving correction is vital for spiritual growth. Believers should cultivate a heart that is open to reproof and willing to change.
The Danger of Moral RelativismJust as in Amos's time, there is a danger in redefining morality to suit personal preferences. Believers must adhere to biblical truth as the standard for right and wrong.
Community and AccountabilityThe gate was a place of communal decision-making. Believers should seek community and accountability to maintain integrity and righteousness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Amos 5:10?
2.How does Amos 5:10 challenge us to uphold truth in our community?
3.Why do people "hate him who reproves" at the gate, according to Amos?
4.How can we ensure justice prevails in our local church and society?
5.What other scriptures emphasize the importance of loving truth and justice?
6.How can we courageously stand for truth despite opposition, as seen in Amos 5:10?
7.Why do people hate those who uphold justice in Amos 5:10?
8.How does Amos 5:10 challenge our understanding of justice?
9.What historical context influenced the message of Amos 5:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Amos 5?
11.What does it mean to hate evil and love good?
12.Why did Assyria conquer Israel?
13.What laws should govern the actions of kings?
14.Amos 5:18 - If the 'Day of the Lord' is described here as darkness, does this contradict other biblical texts that portray it as a time of hope or victory?What Does Amos 5:10 Mean
There are thoseAmos opens this line by alerting us that certain people in Israel have developed a settled attitude of rebellion. Throughout the chapter the prophet has been calling the nation back to the LORD, yet pockets of resistance remain (Amos 5:6, 8). Their existence is not hypothetical—it is real and present. Similar acknowledgement of a rebellious remnant appears inIsaiah 1:2–4 andJeremiah 5:23–24, where the prophets note that many hear God’s warnings yet refuse to repent.
Who hate the one who reproves• “Hate” is deliberate hostility, not mere discomfort.
• “The one who reproves” refers to those God appoints to confront sin. In Israel this included prophets like Amos and righteous elders who rendered judgment (Leviticus 19:17;Proverbs 27:5–6).
•Proverbs 15:12 states, “A mocker does not love the one who reproves him.” This hate reveals hearts hardened against accountability.
• Jesus later confirms that darkness resents light because it exposes evil deeds (John 3:20).
In the gate• The city gate was the public court, marketplace, and center of civic life (Ruth 4:1–11).
• Justice was meant to be transparent there.Deuteronomy 16:18 commands judges to administer righteous judgment “in all your gates.”
• By hating reprovers at the gate, Israel rejected godly correction at the very place designed for it, echoing the corrupt courts condemned inIsaiah 29:21 andAmos 5:12.
And despise him• “Despise” intensifies the thought: it is contempt that leads to dismissal.
•Psalm 50:17 portrays the wicked as those who “hate My instruction and cast My words behind you,” underscoring that rejection of God’s messengers is ultimately rejection of God Himself (1 Samuel 8:7).
Who speaks with integrity• Integrity (lit. “uprightness”) marks the faithful messenger.Psalm 15:2 describes the righteous as one “who walks with integrity, who practices righteousness, and who speaks the truth in his heart.”
• Yet truth-telling provokes resistance when it exposes sin. Paul experiences the same dynamic inGalatians 4:16: “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
• God’s consistent pattern is to send truth through upright voices; human nature, apart from grace, resists and persecutes them (2 Chronicles 24:20–22;Matthew 23:29–35).
summaryAmos 5:10 exposes a heart issue: when people harden themselves against God, they grow to hate public correction and despise those who faithfully speak truth. The city gate—designed for justice—had become hostile territory for righteousness, signaling deep societal decay. The verse warns that rejecting godly reproof is rejecting God Himself and invites us instead to welcome correction, love truth, and uphold integrity wherever judgment is rendered.
(10)
Rebuker in the Gate.--The person so described might be the prophet himself. So also
he that speaketh uprightly.Verses 10-12. - The prophet gives further instances of the people's corruption.
Verse 10. -
Him that rebuketh in the gate (
Isaiah 29:21). The gate of Eastern cities was the place of public resort (
Proverbs 1:21), either for business (
Deuteronomy 25:7), or the administration of justice (
2 Samuel 15:2), or for gossip. So "he that rebuketh in the gate" may be a judge, or a chief, or a prophet (
Jeremiah 17:19;
Jeremiah 19:2). It seems better to take the words thus than to join "in the gate" to "they hate," with the meaning that those who resort to the gate - kings, chiefs, judges - hate the prophet's reproof, for the following verses show that Amos is referring chiefly to judicial proceedings, and not to his own mission.
Uprightly; literally,
perfectly; Vulgate,
perfecte;
i.e. without reserve, keeping nothing back.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
you hateשָׂנְא֥וּ(śā·nə·’ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8130:To hatethe one who reprovesמוֹכִ֑יחַ(mō·w·ḵî·aḥ)Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3198:To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convictin the gateבַשַּׁ֖עַר(ḇaš·ša·‘ar)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179:An opening, door, gateand despiseיְתָעֵֽבוּ׃(yə·ṯā·‘ê·ḇū)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8581:To loathe, detesthim who speaksוְדֹבֵ֥ר(wə·ḏō·ḇêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduewith integrity.תָּמִ֖ים(tā·mîm)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8549:Entire, integrity, truth
Links
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OT Prophets: Amos 5:10 They hate him who reproves (Amo. Am) 
