Amos 5:16

KJV

¶ Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore the LORD {H3068}, the God {H430} of hosts {H6635}, the Lord {H136}, saith {H559} thus; Wailing {H4553} shall be in all streets {H7339}; and they shall say {H559} in all the highways {H2351}, Alas {H1930}! alas {H1930}! and they shall call {H7121} the husbandman {H406} to mourning {H60}, and such as are skilful {H3045} of lamentation {H5092} to wailing {H4553}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore thus says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot, Adonai: "In all public squares there will be lamentation, in all the streets they will cry, 'Oh, no!' They will summon farmers to mourn and professional mourners to wail.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Hosts, the Lord, says: “There will be wailing in all the public squares and cries of ‘Alas! Alas!’ in all the streets. The farmer will be summoned to mourn, and the mourners to wail.

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the Lord: Wailing shall be in all the broad ways; and they shall say in all the streets, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful in lamentation to wailing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:16 delivers a solemn prophetic declaration from the Lord, announcing a widespread and inescapable judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse vividly portrays a scene of national lamentation, where public spaces, from streets to highways, will be filled with cries of woe. The severity of the impending calamity is underscored by the involvement of ordinary laborers like husbandmen, who will be summoned to mourn, and the necessity of professional mourners, indicating a catastrophe of immense scale and profound sorrow that will permeate every facet of Israelite society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:16 is situated within a series of pronouncements of judgment against Israel, following a lament over their impending downfall (Amos 5:1-3) and a call to repentance (Amos 5:4-6). The preceding verses detail Israel's spiritual apostasy and social injustices, such as their oppression of the poor and perversion of justice (Amos 5:7-13). The "Therefore" at the beginning of verse 16 explicitly links the widespread wailing to the nation's persistent unrighteousness and their refusal to "seek good, and not evil" ([Amos 5:14](/amos/5-14 "Amos 5:14 - Seek Good, Not Evil")). This verse serves as a direct consequence and a vivid description of the judgment that God will bring upon a people who have forsaken His covenant. It is part of a larger indictment leading up to the promise of exile.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered during a period of relative peace and prosperity for the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). However, this economic flourishing was accompanied by severe social injustice, moral decay, and syncretistic religious practices. The rich oppressed the poor, justice was corrupted in the gates, and genuine worship of Yahweh was replaced by empty rituals and idolatry (Amos 4:4-5, [Amos 5:21-23](/amos/5-21-23 "Amos 5:21-23 - God Rejects Empty Worship")). The cultural practice of professional mourners, mentioned in the verse, was common in the ancient Near East, employed to lead public lamentations during funerals or times of national disaster, highlighting the depth of grief anticipated. The "streets" and "highways" refer to public thoroughfares and open spaces where people would gather, emphasizing the public and pervasive nature of the coming sorrow.

* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, demonstrating that God's patience has limits and unrepentant sin leads to inevitable consequences. The phrase "the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus" underscores God's absolute sovereignty and power to execute His decrees, a recurring emphasis in Amos (e.g., [Amos 4:13](/amos/4-13 "Amos 4:13 - God's Sovereignty")). The verse also highlights **Pervasive Corruption and its Consequences**, showing how Israel's societal breakdown, from the courts to the marketplace, will result in widespread suffering affecting all strata of society. It reinforces the call for **True Righteousness and Repentance**, implying that the wailing could have been averted had the nation truly turned to the Lord and pursued justice, as exhorted in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Justice as a Flowing River").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wailing (Hebrew, _miçpêd'_):** From the root _sâphad_ (to lament), this term (H4553) refers to a lamentation or mourning, specifically a loud, public expression of grief. Its repetition in the verse emphasizes the intensity and pervasiveness of the sorrow. It signifies not just sadness, but a public outcry of distress and despair, often associated with death or national catastrophe.
* **Alas! (Hebrew, _hôw'_):** This interjection (H1930) is an exclamation of woe, distress, or lament. It is a cry of deep sorrow, often used in prophetic contexts to introduce pronouncements of doom or to express profound grief over an impending or realized disaster. Its repetition ("Alas! alas!") amplifies the sense of utter despair and irreversible loss that will grip the nation.
* **Skilful (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3045) means "to know," but in this context, it extends to "to ascertain by seeing," "to be acquainted with," or "to be skilled." Here, it refers to those who are proficient or experienced in the art of lamentation, i.e., professional mourners. Their presence signifies the magnitude of the tragedy, requiring trained individuals to lead the expressions of national grief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus;":** This opening clause firmly establishes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy. "The LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) emphasizes God's covenant name and self-existence, while "the God of hosts" (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_ and H6635, _tsâbâʼ_) highlights His supreme power and sovereignty over all armies, celestial and earthly. The repetition of "the Lord" (H136, _ʼĂdônây_) further underscores His absolute dominion. The phrase "saith thus" (H559, _ʼâmar_) indicates a direct, authoritative declaration, making the ensuing judgment an inescapable divine decree.
* **"Wailing [shall be] in all streets;":** This signifies that the mourning will be public, pervasive, and unavoidable. "Streets" (H7339, _rᵉchôb_) refers to broad places or public avenues, implying that no one will be untouched by the calamity, and the grief will be openly displayed in every public space.
* **"and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas!":** This reinforces the widespread nature of the lamentation. "Highways" (H2351, _chûwts_) refers to open fields or outer areas, indicating that the cries of woe will extend beyond urban centers, permeating the entire land. The repeated "Alas! alas!" (H1930, _hôw_) is an intense cry of despair, a funeral dirge anticipating immense loss of life or national devastation.
* **"and they shall call the husbandman to mourning,":** This illustrates the depth of societal disruption. The "husbandman" (H406, _ʼikkâr_), or farmer, is typically engaged in daily labor, symbolizing the ordinary populace. Their forced participation in mourning suggests that the calamity will be so severe that even those normally preoccupied with agriculture will be compelled to lament, implying widespread death, famine, or agricultural devastation that halts normal life.
* **"and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.":** This refers to professional mourners (H3045, _yâdaʻ_ and H5092, _nᵉhîy_), who were hired in ancient cultures to lead and intensify expressions of grief. Their summoning indicates a tragedy of such immense scale that spontaneous lamentation is insufficient, necessitating expert leadership in public mourning rituals, likely due to a catastrophic loss of life.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:16 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of "wailing in all streets" and "all the highways," emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of the calamity, suggesting that no corner of the land will be untouched by sorrow. The repetition of "Alas! alas!" functions as **Anaphora** and **Exclamation**, intensifying the emotional impact and underscoring the depth of despair. The phrase "the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord" uses **Apposition** and **Divine Titles** to magnify God's authority and underscore the inevitability of His judgment. Furthermore, the imagery of calling the "husbandman to mourning" and "such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing" provides **Concrete Imagery** that makes the abstract concept of national judgment tangible and viscerally impactful, depicting a society utterly consumed by grief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:16 powerfully articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution, demonstrating that God's justice is not merely punitive but restorative, aiming to bring His people back to righteousness, even if through severe means. The widespread lamentation is a direct consequence of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, social injustice, and religious hypocrisy. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It reveals a God who is sovereign over history and who will ultimately hold nations accountable for their moral and spiritual failings, reminding us that true prosperity cannot exist apart from righteousness and justice.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-19](/deuteronomy/28-15-19 "Deuteronomy 28:15-19 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 9:17-18](/jeremiah/9-17-18 "Jeremiah 9:17-18 - Calling for Professional Mourners")
* [Lamentations 1:1-4](/lamentations/1-1-4 "Lamentations 1:1-4 - Jerusalem's Desolation and Mourning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:16 serves as a stark reminder that God is just and that persistent sin, particularly social injustice and a failure to seek righteousness, will inevitably lead to consequences. While the specific judgment was for ancient Israel, the underlying principle remains timeless: actions have consequences, and God holds nations and individuals accountable. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and societies, to ensure that our faith is not merely outward ritual but is expressed through genuine love for God and our neighbor, especially the vulnerable. It calls us to actively pursue justice, compassion, and righteousness in all spheres of life, rather than relying on superficial religiosity. The profound sorrow described in Amos 5:16 should motivate us to heed God's warnings, to seek Him earnestly, and to live in a manner that honors His character, thereby averting the spiritual and societal wailing that unrepentant sin inevitably brings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our own society or personal lives reflect the social injustices that Amos condemned in Israel?**
* **How does the concept of God as "the God of hosts" impact your understanding of His sovereignty and justice today?**
* **What steps can you take to move beyond mere religious observance to a life that actively pursues righteousness and justice, as called for by Amos?**

### FAQ
**Why is "the God of hosts" emphasized in this verse?**

Answer: The title "the God of hosts" (Hebrew: _Yahweh Sabaoth_) is emphasized to underscore God's supreme authority and power. "Hosts" (H6635, _tsâbâʼ_) refers to armies, whether celestial (angels) or earthly. By using this title, Amos highlights that the impending judgment is not a random misfortune but a deliberate act of the all-powerful, sovereign God who commands all forces. It signifies His absolute capacity to execute His decrees and brings an inescapable weight of divine authority to the prophetic warning, making it clear that His word will be fulfilled, as seen in other prophetic declarations like [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts").

**What is the significance of calling the "husbandman" and "skilful of lamentation" to mourning?**

Answer: The involvement of the "husbandman" (H406, _ʼikkâr_), or farmer, signifies that the calamity will be so pervasive and devastating that it will disrupt all normal life and labor. Even those typically occupied with daily sustenance will be forced into public mourning, implying widespread death, famine, or agricultural ruin. The summoning of "such as are skilful of lamentation" (H3045, _yâdaʻ_ and H5092, _nᵉhîy_) refers to professional mourners, a common practice in the ancient Near East. Their presence indicates a tragedy of immense scale, far beyond what spontaneous grief could express. It suggests a national catastrophe so profound that trained individuals are needed to lead and embody the collective sorrow, much like the lamentations described in [Jeremiah 9:17-18](/jeremiah/9-17-18 "Jeremiah 9:17-18 - Professional Mourners Called").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Amos 5:16 prophesies judgment upon ancient Israel for their unrighteousness, its ultimate fulfillment and theological resonance point to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The wailing and lamentation described are a consequence of sin, a theme that finds its ultimate resolution in Christ. Humanity's deepest lamentation is over its separation from God due to sin, a grief that the Lord Jesus took upon Himself. He is the one who "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - Christ Bears Our Sorrows")), enduring the ultimate judgment on the cross so that those who believe might be spared the eternal wailing of judgment. Instead of a call to professional mourners, the New Testament calls believers to repent and believe in the Gospel, turning from sin to find comfort and joy in Christ, who promises that "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who Mourn")). The judgment pronounced by the "God of hosts" in Amos is fulfilled in Christ's atoning sacrifice, which satisfies divine justice and offers a path to reconciliation, transforming the wailing of despair into the hope of salvation and eternal life, as prophesied in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears").

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

Joel 1:11

Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

Jeremiah 9:17

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning [women], that they may come:

Jeremiah 9:20

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.

Jeremiah 9:10

For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through [them]; neither can [men] hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

Joel 1:8

¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.

Revelation 18:19

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Isaiah 15:2

He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads [shall be] baldness, [and] every beard cut off.