Amos 5:2

The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; [there is] none to raise her up.

The virgin {H1330} of Israel {H3478} is fallen {H5307}; she shall no more {H3254} rise {H6965}: she is forsaken {H5203} upon her land {H127}; there is none to raise her up {H6965}.

The virgin of Isra'el has fallen; she will not rise again. She lies abandoned on her own soil with no one to lift her up.

“Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.”

The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is cast down upon her land; there is none to raise her up.

Amos 5:2 delivers a stark and mournful prophecy concerning the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It declares their catastrophic downfall and abandonment, emphasizing the completeness of their ruin with no one left to provide aid or restoration in their forsaken state. The imagery of "the virgin of Israel" falling highlights the tragic loss of her esteemed status and security.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Amos ministered during the 8th century BC, a period of relative prosperity and peace for the Northern Kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II. However, beneath this outward facade of success, deep spiritual corruption, widespread idolatry, and pervasive social injustice flourished. Israel had turned away from the Lord, engaging in pagan worship and oppressing the poor and vulnerable. Amos was sent by God to deliver a message of impending judgment, warning that their prosperity was fleeting and that God's patience had run out. This verse, therefore, is a prophetic lament and a declaration of the inevitable divine judgment that would culminate in Israel's destruction and exile by the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully conveys the certainty and severity of God's righteous judgment against a people who had repeatedly rejected His covenant and laws. It underscores that God is just and will not tolerate unrepentant sin indefinitely.
  • Irreversible Fall (in context): The phrase "she shall no more rise" speaks to the finality of Israel's political and national collapse at that time. While the nation would eventually experience a future restoration for a remnant, this specific prophecy emphasizes the devastating, seemingly irrecoverable nature of the immediate judgment due to their persistent apostasy. For a contrasting view of future hope, consider Amos 9:11-15.
  • Consequences of Apostasy: The "virgin of Israel" refers to the nation, once pure and uniquely set apart by God. Her fall illustrates the dire consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and turning away from God. When a nation or individual forsakes the Lord, they become vulnerable and ultimately lose His protective favor.
  • Forsakenness and Despair: "She is forsaken upon her land; [there is] none to raise her up" paints a picture of utter desolation and abandonment. It signifies that Israel, having rejected God's help and guidance, would find no human or divine assistance in their time of crisis, highlighting the isolation that results from persistent rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The term "virgin of Israel" (Hebrew: בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, betulat Yisra'el) is a poignant personification. It typically denotes purity, innocence, or a cherished, undefiled entity. Its use here makes the declaration of her fall all the more tragic and shocking, emphasizing the depth of her moral and spiritual corruption that led to such a complete reversal of her privileged status. The word "fallen" (נָפְלָה, naphelah) is a strong verb indicating a definitive collapse or ruin, not merely a stumble.

Related Scriptures

  • Amos's pronouncements of judgment are consistent throughout his book, such as in Amos 8:2, where the Lord declares, "The end is come upon my people of Israel."
  • The spiritual state of Israel leading to this judgment is further elaborated in Hosea 4:6, which speaks of Israel being "destroyed for lack of knowledge."
  • The idea of a nation being beyond repair due to sin is also echoed in Jeremiah 19:11, where a vessel is broken beyond mending.

Practical Application

Amos 5:2 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency, social injustice, and idolatry, even in times of apparent prosperity. It reminds us that God's holiness demands justice and that persistent rebellion against His commands ultimately leads to severe consequences. For individuals and nations, this verse calls for a sober reflection on our own spiritual state. It underscores the importance of genuine repentance and seeking God's face, lest we too find ourselves forsaken and without help. It highlights that true security comes not from wealth or power, but from a right relationship with God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 14:17

    ¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

  • Jeremiah 18:13

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.

  • Isaiah 43:17

    Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

  • Jeremiah 51:64

    And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.

  • Isaiah 51:17

    ¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

  • Isaiah 51:18

    [There is] none to guide her among all the sons [whom] she hath brought forth; neither [is there any] that taketh her by the hand of all the sons [that] she hath brought up.

  • Isaiah 24:20

    The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

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