I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
I will break {H7665} also the bar {H1280} of Damascus {H1834}, and cut off {H3772} the inhabitant {H3427} from the plain {H1237} of Aven {H206}, and him that holdeth {H8551} the sceptre {H7626} from the house {H1004} of Eden {H5731}{H1040}: and the people {H5971} of Syria {H758} shall go into captivity {H1540} unto Kir {H7024}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.
I will break the bars of Dammesek's gates. I will cut off the inhabitants from Bik'at-Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beit-'Eden. Then the people of Aram will go into exile in Kir," says ADONAI.
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.
And I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith Jehovah.
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2 Kings 16:9
And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried [the people of] it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin. -
Amos 9:7
[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? -
Jeremiah 51:30
The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in [their] holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. -
Lamentations 2:9
Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes [are] among the Gentiles: the law [is] no [more]; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD. -
Jeremiah 50:36
A sword [is] upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword [is] upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. -
Nahum 3:13
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee [are] women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars. -
Isaiah 43:14
¶ Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry [is] in the ships.
Amos 1:5 delivers a specific and powerful prophecy against Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria). This verse is part of a series of oracles in the book of Amos where God pronounces judgment upon the nations surrounding Israel, demonstrating His universal sovereignty and justice.
Context
The prophet Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, was called by God to deliver messages primarily to the northern kingdom of Israel, but his ministry begins with a sweeping declaration of God's judgment against various neighboring countries. These initial prophecies (found in Amos 1:3 through Amos 2:3) serve to establish that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is sovereign over all nations and holds them accountable for their transgressions, not just His covenant people. The prophecy against Damascus here highlights the coming downfall of the powerful Aramean kingdom, a frequent adversary of Israel.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Plain of Aven" (Hebrew: Biq'at-Aven) is significant. The word "Aven" means "wickedness," "vanity," or "idolatry." This suggests that the valley, perhaps a fertile and prosperous region, was also a center of idolatrous practices or great wickedness, providing a moral basis for God's judgment against it. "House of Eden" (Hebrew: Bet-Eden) likely refers to a specific royal residence or a prominent, luxurious city within Syria, indicating that even the most secure or privileged places would not escape judgment.
Practical Application
Amos 1:5 reminds us that God's justice is impartial and universal. No nation, no leader, and no individual is above His divine law. For believers, this verse underscores the ultimate authority of God over all earthly powers. It serves as a sober warning that actions, especially those involving injustice and oppression, have consequences, and that God's prophecies are sure to be fulfilled in His timing.