Amos 4:8

So two [or] three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

So two {H8147} or three {H7969} cities {H5892} wandered {H5128} unto one {H259} city {H5892}, to drink {H8354} water {H4325}; but they were not satisfied {H7646}: yet have ye not returned {H7725} unto me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

from two or three cities they would stagger to one city for water to drink, but there wasn't enough; still you haven't returned to me," says ADONAI.

People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

So two or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water, and were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

Amos 4:8 is a poignant cry from the LORD through His prophet, Amos, highlighting the stubborn refusal of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to return to Him despite escalating divine judgments. This verse specifically describes a severe drought, a direct consequence of their disobedience.

Context

The prophet Amos, a shepherd and fig-picker from Judah, was called by God to deliver a message of judgment and warning to the prosperous yet spiritually corrupt Northern Kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim). Chapters 3 and 4 of Amos detail a series of five specific judgments God had already sent upon Israel, each concluding with the sorrowful refrain, "yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD." These judgments included famine (Amos 4:6), and in this verse, a devastating drought. Despite the severe hardships, the people consistently failed to acknowledge God's hand or turn from their idolatry and injustice.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Discipline: God used natural calamities, like this severe drought, as a means of discipline to bring His people to repentance. The suffering was not random but purposeful, intended to draw them back to a right relationship with Him.
  • Unquenched Thirst and Dissatisfaction: The image of multiple cities desperately wandering to a single source for water, only to remain "not satisfied," powerfully illustrates the futility of seeking solutions apart from God. This physical thirst parallels a spiritual longing that only God can truly satisfy, a concept echoed in passages like John 4:14 where Jesus offers living water.
  • Stubborn Refusal to Repent: The repeated phrase, "yet have ye not returned unto me," underscores Israel's deep spiritual stubbornness. Despite clear signs of God's displeasure and persistent calls to repentance, they remained unyielding, clinging to their false gods and sinful ways. This theme is central to Amos's message, culminating in the final judgment described in Amos 4:11.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's bracketed "[or]" in "two [or] three cities" indicates an interpretive addition, clarifying that the number is approximate, emphasizing the widespread nature of the crisis. The Hebrew phrasing suggests "two, even three," conveying a sense of multiple communities. The core of the verse lies in the stark contrast between the desperate human effort to find relief and God's lament over their lack of spiritual return. The verb "wandered" (nā'û) implies a restless, aimless journey, highlighting their desperation.

Practical Application

Amos 4:8 serves as a timeless reminder that God often uses challenging circumstances in our lives to get our attention. When we face difficulties, whether personal crises or societal struggles, it is an invitation to examine our hearts and ask if we have strayed from Him. Like ancient Israel, we might desperately seek worldly solutions to our problems, only to find ourselves still "not satisfied." The path to true peace and fulfillment lies not in more effort apart from God, but in humbly returning to the LORD with repentance and faith. This verse challenges us to recognize God's hand in our trials and respond with a willing heart, rather than spiritual stubbornness.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 4:6

    ΒΆ And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Haggai 1:6

    Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes.

  • 1 Kings 18:5

    And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.

  • Ezekiel 4:16

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:

  • Ezekiel 4:17

    That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

  • Jeremiah 14:3

    And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

  • Jeremiah 14:4

    Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
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