Amos 5:13

KJV

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore the prudent {H7919} shall keep silence {H1826} in that time {H6256}; for it is an evil {H7451} time {H6256}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At times like these a prudent person stays silent, for it is an evil time.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.

American Standard Version

Therefore he that is prudent shall keep silence in such a time; for it is an evil time.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:13 offers a poignant observation on the moral and spiritual climate of ancient Israel, asserting that in a period characterized by pervasive injustice and moral decay, the truly discerning individual will choose silence. This verse highlights the futility and potential danger of speaking truth in an environment so hostile to righteousness that wisdom dictates restraint, signaling a profound societal brokenness that inevitably invites divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:13 is situated within a series of prophetic pronouncements and laments concerning the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Preceding this verse, Amos has delivered scathing indictments against Israel's social injustices, including their oppression of the poor, perversion of justice in the courts, and their abhorrence for those who speak truth ([Amos 5:10-12](/amos/5-10-12 "Amos 5:10-12 - Israel's Injustice and Rejection of Righteousness")). The prophet decries their turning justice into wormwood and righteousness into bitterness, illustrating a society where moral foundations have crumbled. Following this verse, Amos continues with a desperate plea for Israel to "seek good, and not evil, that ye may live" ([Amos 5:14](/amos/5-14 "Amos 5:14 - Seek Good, Not Evil")), emphasizing that their only hope lies in a genuine return to the Lord and a restoration of justice. The immediate context thus paints a picture of a nation ripe for judgment due to its systemic corruption and rejection of God's righteous standards.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (c. 793-753 BC). This era was marked by significant economic growth and military success, leading to a widening gap between the rich and the poor. While outwardly religious, with bustling sanctuaries and numerous sacrifices, Israel's internal life was riddled with moral decay, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy. The wealthy exploited the vulnerable, court systems were corrupted by bribes, and true worship was replaced by superficial rituals. The "evil time" described by Amos reflects a society where the powerful oppressed the weak, and honesty was met with hostility. In such a climate, speaking out against injustice was not only unpopular but could be dangerous, leading to persecution or even death for those who dared to challenge the corrupt establishment.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. Firstly, it underscores the pervasive **Social Injustice** that characterized Israel, where righteousness was so despised that even the wise refrained from public admonition. This theme is central to Amos's message, as he consistently condemns the exploitation of the poor and the perversion of justice ([Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the Poor") and [Amos 8:4-6](/amos/8-4-6 "Amos 8:4-6 - Cheating the Needy")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Futility of False Piety**; despite their religious observances, Israel's lack of justice rendered their worship meaningless in God's eyes ([Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Rejects Empty Worship")). The "evil time" points to the inevitability of **Divine Judgment**, a dominant theme throughout [the book of Amos](/amos/1 "The Book of Amos - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration"), as God's patience with Israel's persistent sin was reaching its limit. Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Prudence and Discernment**, suggesting that true wisdom involves recognizing the spiritual climate and acting accordingly, even if that means a strategic silence in the face of overwhelming evil.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prudent (Hebrew, _sâkal'_):** From H7919, this word signifies being circumspect and intelligent. It implies a practical wisdom that allows one to consider, instruct, prosper, and deal prudently. In Amos 5:13, the "prudent" person is not merely intellectually smart but possesses a discerning wisdom that understands the severe moral climate and acts wisely in response. Their prudence is a form of spiritual intelligence, recognizing the futility or danger of speaking truth in a hostile environment.
* **Keep silence (Hebrew, _dâmam'_):** From H1826, this primitive root means to be dumb, astonished, or to stop. It can also imply to perish, cease, or be cut off. In this context, it denotes a deliberate act of holding one's peace or remaining quiet. The silence of the prudent is not born of cowardice or complicity, but of a sober assessment that vocal protest would be ineffective, misunderstood, or even lead to harm in such an "evil time." It is a strategic withdrawal from public discourse, a recognition that the conditions are not conducive to hearing truth.
* **Evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this word describes something bad or evil, encompassing natural or moral evil, adversity, affliction, calamity, mischief, or wickedness. When applied to "time," as in "evil time," it denotes a period characterized by profound moral depravity, distress, and societal corruption. It's a time when wickedness is rampant, justice is perverted, and the general state of affairs is dire, often leading to divine displeasure and impending disaster.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time;":** This clause presents the consequence of the prevailing conditions described in the preceding verses. The "prudent" (those who are wise and discerning) recognize the depth of the nation's moral decay and the hostility towards truth. Their response is to "keep silence," a deliberate act of restraint. This silence is not an endorsement of the evil but a pragmatic acknowledgment that their words would be futile or dangerous in such a climate. It suggests a strategic withdrawal from public confrontation, preserving their integrity and perhaps awaiting a more opportune moment or divine intervention.
* **"for it [is] an evil time.":** This second clause provides the justification for the prudent's silence. The phrase "evil time" describes a period of profound moral and spiritual decline, where injustice is rampant, corruption is pervasive, and society has become fundamentally hostile to righteousness. It is a time when speaking truth is not only unwelcome but may invite persecution, making it an unproductive or perilous endeavor for those who would otherwise advocate for justice. This declaration underscores the severity of Israel's spiritual condition, indicating that the nation has reached a critical point of no return, where wickedness reigns supreme.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:13 employs several literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Irony**, as wisdom is paradoxically found in silence rather than speech. In a healthy society, the prudent would speak out against injustice; here, their wisdom dictates restraint, highlighting the extreme perversion of the social order. There is also an element of **Understatement** in "evil time," which, while direct, subtly implies a depth of depravity so profound that it stifles even the wise. The verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as the inability of the prudent to speak out against the prevailing wickedness signals that the nation's moral cup is full, portending inevitable divine judgment. Finally, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between the "prudent" individual and the corrupt society, emphasizing the isolation of righteousness in a world steeped in sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:13 profoundly speaks to the nature of divine justice and the human response to pervasive evil. It reveals that when a society reaches a point where truth-telling becomes dangerous or futile, it signifies a deep spiritual brokenness that is ripe for God's intervention. This "evil time" is not merely a period of hardship but a moral catastrophe, where the very fabric of righteousness has unraveled. The silence of the prudent underscores God's ultimate sovereignty; when human efforts to correct are stifled, it often precedes God's direct action to bring justice and judgment. This verse reminds us that while believers are called to be salt and light, there are moments when discerning wisdom dictates a strategic quietness, trusting God to work in His own timing and through His own means.

* [Ecclesiastes 3:7](/ecclesiastes/3-7 "Ecclesiastes 3:7 - A Time for Silence and a Time for Speech")
* [Psalm 39:2](/psalms/39-2 "Psalm 39:2 - David's Silence in Distress")
* [Proverbs 29:11](/proverbs/29-11 "Proverbs 29:11 - A Fool Utters All His Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:13 offers a challenging yet crucial principle for believers navigating complex moral landscapes today. While the Christian call is generally to speak truth in love and contend for righteousness, this verse reminds us that wisdom involves discerning the times. There are indeed "evil times" when the prevailing culture is so hostile to biblical truth that direct confrontation may be unproductive, leading only to further hardening of hearts or unnecessary persecution. This does not mean complicity or abandoning one's convictions, but rather a strategic understanding of when to speak and when to prayerfully wait, to maintain personal integrity, and to focus on a quieter witness through righteous living. It prompts us to consider if our efforts to speak are truly heard or if they are merely casting "pearls before swine," as Jesus warned. In such times, the prudent may choose to cultivate inner spiritual strength, focus on building up the church, and pray for God's transformative power, trusting that He will ultimately bring justice and light to darkness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern if we are living in an "evil time" where speaking out might be futile or dangerous?**
* **What is the difference between prudent silence and cowardly silence or complicity?**
* **In what ways can a believer still be a witness for Christ in an "evil time" if direct verbal confrontation is not wise?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of "speaking truth to power"?**

### FAQ
**Does "prudent shall keep silence" mean Christians should never speak out against injustice?**

Answer: No, not at all. Amos 5:13 describes a very specific and extreme scenario where society has become so utterly corrupt and hostile to truth that speaking out is not only ineffective but potentially self-destructive for the speaker. Throughout Scripture, prophets, apostles, and Jesus Himself consistently spoke out against injustice, hypocrisy, and sin (e.g., [Isaiah 1:17](/isaiah/1-17 "Isaiah 1:17 - Seek Justice"), [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). This verse highlights a rare and dire circumstance where the "evil time" has reached such a peak that wisdom dictates a strategic silence, perhaps to preserve one's ability to minister in other ways, or to await God's direct intervention. It's about discerning the timing and efficacy of one's witness, not about abandoning the call to righteousness.

**What are the characteristics of an "evil time" as described in Amos 5:13?**

Answer: An "evil time" in the context of Amos 5:13 is a period marked by profound moral and spiritual decay, where injustice is rampant, corruption is pervasive, and society has become fundamentally hostile to righteousness. Key characteristics include the perversion of justice in courts, oppression of the poor, rejection of those who speak truth, and a general societal embrace of wickedness despite outward religious observances. It's a time when the societal conditions are so dire that truth is suppressed, and efforts to correct or admonish are met with scorn, opposition, or even persecution, making vocal protest ineffective or self-destructive. It signifies a society that has reached a critical point of no return, where the measure of iniquity is full.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 5:13, with its stark portrayal of an "evil time" where the prudent must keep silence, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of wisdom and prudence, entered a world steeped in sin, an "evil time" where truth was often rejected and justice perverted. While He boldly proclaimed the Kingdom of God and denounced the hypocrisy of the religious leaders ([Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23-13-36 "Matthew 23:13-36 - Woes to the Pharisees")), there were also moments when He chose strategic silence. Before His accusers, when confronted with false testimonies, Jesus remained silent, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating a divine prudence that transcended human understanding ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted, Yet He Opened Not His Mouth"); [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12-14 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate")). His silence was not weakness but a powerful act of submission to the Father's will and a demonstration that His Kingdom was not of this world, not to be defended by human arguments or political maneuvering ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Ultimately, Jesus's death on the cross, in the face of the world's ultimate "evil time" of sin and injustice, became the means by which true justice and righteousness would be established for all who believe, ushering in a new era where the Spirit empowers believers to speak truth with wisdom and courage, knowing that the ultimate victory over evil has been secured through the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Revelation 12:10-11](/revelation/12-10-11 "Revelation 12:10-11 - The Accuser Thrown Down")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 4:4

Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest.

Micah 2:3

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time [is] evil.

Ephesians 5:15

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

2 Timothy 3:1

¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Ecclesiastes 3:7

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Ecclesiastes 9:12

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.