New International VersionThough they are driven into exile by their enemies, there I will command the sword to slay them. “I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good.”
New Living TranslationEven if their enemies drive them into exile, I will command the sword to kill them there. I am determined to bring disaster upon them and not to help them.”
English Standard VersionAnd if they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall kill them; and I will fix my eyes upon them for evil and not for good.”
Berean Standard BibleThough they are driven by their enemies into captivity, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.”
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionThough they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword, And it shall slay them. I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.”
New American Standard Bible“And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword and it will kill them, And I will set My eyes against them for harm and not for good.”
NASB 1995“And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword that it slay them, And I will set My eyes against them for evil and not for good.”
NASB 1977“And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword that it slay them, And I will set My eyes against them for evil and not for good.”
Legacy Standard BibleAnd though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword that it kill them, And I will set My eyes against them for evil and not for good.”
Amplified Bible“And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I shall command the sword to kill them, And I will set My eyes against them for evil (judgment, punishment) and not for good [that is, not for correction leading to restoration].”
Christian Standard BibleAnd if they are driven by their enemies into captivity, from there I will command the sword to kill them. I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAnd if they are driven by their enemies into captivity, from there I will command the sword to kill them. I will fix My eyes on them for harm and not for good.
American Standard VersionAnd 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.
Contemporary English VersionI'll send a sword to kill them, wherever their enemies drag them off as captives. I'm determined to hurt them, not to help them."
English Revised VersionAnd 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationEven if they go into exile ahead of their enemies, I will command a sword to kill them. I will keep my eyes on them so that I can bring disaster on them and not help them.
Good News TranslationIf they are taken away into captivity by their enemies, I will order them to be put to death. I am determined to destroy them, not to help them."
International Standard VersionEven if they go into exile among their enemies, from there I will order the sword to kill them. I will fix my gaze on them to inflict disaster, and not to do good.
NET BibleEven when their enemies drive them into captivity, from there I will command the sword to kill them. I will not let them out of my sight; they will experience disaster, not prosperity."
New Heart English BibleThough they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it will kill them. I will set my eyes on them for disaster, and not for good.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set my eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThough they are driven by their enemies into captivity, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.”
World English BibleThough they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it will kill them. I will set my eyes on them for evil, and not for good. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd if they go into captivity before their enemies, "" From there I command the sword, "" And it has slain them, "" And I have set My eye on them for evil, "" And not for good.”
Young's Literal Translation And if they go into captivity before their enemies, From thence I command the sword, And it hath slain them, And I have set Mine eye on them for evil, And not for good.
Smith's Literal TranslationIf they shall go into captivity before the face of their enemies, from thence I will command the sword and it slew them: and I set mine eyes upon them for evil and not for good. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd if they go into captivity before their enemies, there will I command the sword, and it shall kill them. And I will set my eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd if they go into captivity in the sight of their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it will kill them. And I will set my eyes over them for harm and not for good.”
New American BibleThough they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix my gaze upon them for evil and not for good.
New Revised Standard VersionAnd though they go into captivity in front of their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall kill them; and I will fix my eyes on them for harm and not for good. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd though they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall slay them; and I will set my eyes upon them for evil and not for good;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd if they shall go into captivity before their enemies, there I shall command the sword and it shall kill them, and I shall set my eyes upon them for evil and not for good OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd if they should go into captivity before the face of their enemies, there will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes against them for evil, and not for good.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Destruction of Israel… 3Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. 4Thoughthey are drivenbytheir enemiesinto captivity,thereI will commandthe swordto slay them.I will fixMy eyesupon themfor harmand notfor good.”5The Lord GOD of Hosts, He who touches the earth and it melts, and all its dwellers mourn—all the land rises like the Nile, then sinks like the river of Egypt—…
Cross References Jeremiah 44:11-14Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I will set My face to bring disaster and to cut off all Judah. / And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach. / I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague, ...
Deuteronomy 28:65-67Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul. / So your life will hang in doubt before you, and you will be afraid night and day, never certain of survival. / In the morning you will say, ‘If only it were evening!’ and in the evening you will say, ‘If only it were morning!’—because of the dread in your hearts of the terrifying sights you will see.
Leviticus 26:36-39As for those of you who survive, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies, so that even the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. And they will flee as one flees the sword, and fall when no one pursues them. / They will stumble over one another as before the sword, though no one is behind them. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies. / You will perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies will consume you. ...
Ezekiel 5:12A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them.
Jeremiah 16:16-18But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks. / For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes. / And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”
Isaiah 65:12I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
Jeremiah 24:9-10I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. / And I will send against them sword and famine and plague, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’”
2 Kings 17:20-23So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence. / When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. / The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them. ...
Hosea 9:17My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
Jeremiah 29:18-19I will pursue them with sword and famine and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations to which I banish them. / I will do this because they have not listened to My words, declares the LORD, which I sent to them again and again through My servants the prophets. And neither have you exiles listened, declares the LORD.”
Ezekiel 20:34-38With a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered. / And I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations, where I will enter into judgment with you face to face. / Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD. ...
Matthew 23:33-36You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? / Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ...
Luke 21:24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Revelation 6:15-17Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
Romans 11:7-10What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, / as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” / And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. ...
Treasury of Scripture And though they go into captivity before their enemies, there will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set my eyes on them for evil, and not for good. go. Leviticus 26:33,36-39 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste… Deuteronomy 28:64,65 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known,even wood and stone… Ezekiel 5:2,12 Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part,and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them… set. Leviticus 17:10 And whatsoever manthere be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall come to pass,that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf ofthem whose heartis perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Jump to Previous AttackersCaptivityCommandDeathDrivenEnemiesEvilExileEyeEyesFixFixedGoodKillOrdersPrisonersSlainSlaySwordThenceJump to Next AttackersCaptivityCommandDeathDrivenEnemiesEvilExileEyeEyesFixFixedGoodKillOrdersPrisonersSlainSlaySwordThenceAmos 9 1.The certainty of the desolation.11.The restoring of the tabernacle of David.Though they are driven by their enemies into captivityThis phrase reflects the historical context of the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, where the Israelites were taken captive due to their disobedience to God. The captivity serves as a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:36-37, where God warns Israel of the consequences of turning away from Him. The driving into captivity signifies God's judgment and the use of foreign nations as instruments of His divine justice. there I will command the sword to slay them
Even in captivity, the Israelites would not escape God's judgment. The sword represents ongoing punishment and the continuation of divine retribution. This can be connected to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to execute judgment wherever His people are found. The sword is often a symbol of war and destruction, as seen inJeremiah 25:29, where God declares judgment upon all nations. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.
This phrase indicates God's active involvement in the judgment process. The fixing of God's eyes suggests His unwavering attention and determination to bring about the consequences of Israel's sin. This is a reversal of the blessing found inNumbers 6:24-26, where God's face is turned toward His people for peace and favor. Here, the focus is on harm, emphasizing the seriousness of Israel's rebellion. The concept of God’s eyes being upon someone is also seen inPsalm 34:15, but in a positive light, showing the stark contrast when God’s favor is withdrawn. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver a message of judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel. 2. IsraelThe northern kingdom, which had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and injustice. 3. CaptivityRefers to the impending exile of the Israelites due to their disobedience and sin. 4. EnemiesThe foreign nations, particularly Assyria, that God would use as instruments of judgment against Israel. 5. The SwordSymbolizes the instrument of God's judgment, often representing war and destruction. Teaching Points The Certainty of God's JudgmentGod's judgment is inescapable for those who persist in sin. Just as Israel could not escape His decrees, neither can we if we choose to live in disobedience. The Sovereignty of GodGod is sovereign over all nations and events. He uses even the enemies of His people to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His ultimate control over history. The Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience to God leads to severe consequences. This passage serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands. God's OmniscienceGod sees all actions and intentions. His eyes are upon us, whether for blessing or judgment, reminding us to live with integrity and righteousness. Hope in RepentanceWhile this passage focuses on judgment, the broader biblical account offers hope through repentance. Turning back to God can restore our relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Amos 9:4?
2.How does Amos 9:4 illustrate God's omnipresence and sovereignty over all creation?
3.What does Amos 9:4 reveal about God's judgment and mercy balance?
4.How can we apply Amos 9:4's message to our personal accountability to God?
5.In what ways does Amos 9:4 connect with Romans 11:22 on God's kindness and severity?
6.How does understanding Amos 9:4 deepen our comprehension of God's justice in our lives?
7.How does Amos 9:4 reflect God's judgment and mercy simultaneously?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Amos 9:4?
9.How does Amos 9:4 align with the theme of divine retribution?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Amos 9?
11.Amos 4:2-3 - Is there any historical evidence that the Assyrians or other invaders literally led Israel into captivity with hooks?
12.Is there any archaeological evidence that confirms the captivity described in Ezekiel 19:4 and 19:9?
13.Amos 7:11 - The text predicts Jeroboam's death by the sword; does this claim conflict with other biblical or extra-biblical accounts regarding Jeroboam's end?
14.Isaiah 66:15-16: How can a loving deity be reconciled with the depiction of fiery vengeance and widespread destruction?What Does Amos 9:4 Mean Though they are driven by their enemies into captivity- The phrase acknowledges Israel’s looming exile, a direct consequence of covenant disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:64–65;2 Kings 17:6). - Captivity, far from removing them from God’s reach, simply places them under a different phase of His discipline (Jeremiah 24:9;Ezekiel 12:13). - It reminds us that geography never limits God’s authority; His sovereignty extends “from the ends of the earth” (Psalm 139:7–10).
There I will command the sword to slay them- Even in foreign lands, the Lord “commands” the sword—He is not passively observing but actively directing judgment (Leviticus 26:33;Ezekiel 14:17). - The “sword” represents violent, decisive justice, echoing warnings inJeremiah 42:16–17 that flight from God’s will only intensifies danger. - This shows that human schemes of escape—alliances, migration, self-reliance—cannot shield anyone from divine reckoning (Isaiah 31:1).
I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good- God’s “eyes” typically connote protection (Psalm 34:15), but persistent rebellion reverses the blessing (Jeremiah 21:10; 44:27). - The contrast is deliberate: the same omniscient gaze that could comfort now guarantees accountability (Proverbs 15:3). - Yet Amos later notes a remnant will survive (Amos 9:8b, 11–12), underscoring that judgment and mercy coexist, though mercy never nullifies holiness.
summaryAmos 9:4 teaches that no exile, fortress, or strategy can hide unrepentant people from God’s righteous judgment. He sovereignly directs events—captivity, sword, even His own gaze—to fulfill covenant warnings. The verse is a sobering call: take God at His word, turn from sin, and seek the grace that He stands ready to extend to all who repent. Verse 4. - Captivity itself, in which state men generally, at any rate, are secure of their lives, shall not save them from the sword ( Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:65, etc. comp. Tobit 1:17, 18 Tobit 2:3, where we see that the murder of captives was not unusual). The prophet looks forward to the Assyrian deportation. For evil. The people are indeed subject to God's special attention, but only in order to punish them ( Psalm 34:15, 16; Jeremiah 44:11).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Thoughוְאִם־(wə·’im-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notthey are drivenיֵלְכ֤וּ(yê·lə·ḵū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkbyלִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facetheir enemiesאֹֽיבֵיהֶ֔ם(’·ḇê·hem)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 341:Hating, an adversaryinto captivity,בַשְּׁבִי֙(ḇaš·šə·ḇî)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7628:Exiled, captured, exile, bootythereמִשָּׁ֛ם(miš·šām)Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherI will commandאֲצַוֶּ֥ה(’ă·ṣaw·weh)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6680:To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, orderthe swordהַחֶ֖רֶב(ha·ḥe·reḇ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, swordto slay them.וַהֲרָגָ֑תַם(wa·hă·rā·ḡā·ṯam)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2026:To smite with deadly intentI will fixוְשַׂמְתִּ֨י(wə·śam·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, setMy eyesעֵינִ֧י(‘ê·nî)Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountainupon themעֲלֵיהֶ֛ם(‘ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstfor harmלְרָעָ֖ה(lə·rā·‘āh)Preposition-l | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, eviland notוְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nofor good.”לְטוֹבָֽה׃(lə·ṭō·w·ḇāh)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, good
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OT Prophets: Amos 9:4 Though they go into captivity before their (Amo. Am) |
