Amos 5:20

KJV

[Shall] not the day of the LORD [be] darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall not the day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068} be darkness {H2822}, and not light {H216}? even very dark {H651}, and no brightness {H5051} in it?

Complete Jewish Bible

Won't the Day of ADONAI be darkness, not light, completely dark, with no brightness at all?

Berean Standard Bible

Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?

American Standard Version

Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:20 delivers a piercing rhetorical question that shatters Israel's complacent and misguided expectation of the "day of the LORD." Contrary to their popular belief that this day would bring national vindication and triumph, Amos starkly declares it will be a day of profound darkness, calamity, and judgment for a people steeped in spiritual hypocrisy and social injustice, revealing God's unwavering commitment to righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:20 stands as the climactic rhetorical question in a section (Amos 5:18-20) where the prophet directly confronts Israel's dangerous misconception of the "day of the LORD." Immediately preceding this verse, Amos warns, "Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! For what good is the day of the LORD to you? It will be darkness, and not light" ([Amos 5:18](/amos/5-18 "Amos 5:18 - Woe to those who desire the Day of the LORD")). He then vividly illustrates the inescapability of this judgment, likening it to a person fleeing a lion only to encounter a bear, or seeking refuge at home only to be bitten by a snake ([Amos 5:19](/amos/5-19 "Amos 5:19 - The Inescapable Day of the LORD")). This imagery underscores the futility of escaping God's impending judgment for a people who have turned justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground ([Amos 5:7](/amos/5-7 "Amos 5:7 - Justice Turned to Wormwood")). The rhetorical question of verse 20 serves to confirm and intensify the dire warning: there is no ambiguity; the day will indeed be darkness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC), a period marked by significant economic prosperity and territorial expansion. This outward success, however, masked profound internal decay. Society was characterized by rampant social injustice, with the wealthy oppressing the poor, corrupt legal systems, and widespread idolatry alongside superficial religious observance. Many Israelites, clinging to their covenant identity, anticipated the "day of the LORD" as a future moment when God would intervene to defeat their national enemies and establish Israel's supremacy. This popular understanding was deeply flawed, as it ignored the moral and spiritual prerequisites for divine favor. Amos's message was revolutionary and counter-cultural, challenging a nation that believed its religious rituals and national identity guaranteed God's blessing, regardless of their ethical conduct.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Amos and broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it redefines **The True Nature of the Day of the LORD**, correcting Israel's erroneous expectation. For a disobedient people, this anticipated day of triumph would instead be a day of divine judgment, a stark revelation of God's justice against sin, echoing similar warnings in other prophets, such as Zephaniah's description of it as "a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness" ([Zephaniah 1:15](/zephaniah/1-15 "Zephaniah 1:15 - The Day of the LORD as a Day of Wrath")). Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, emphasizing that God's covenant relationship does not exempt His people from His righteous standards. Their elaborate religious festivals and offerings were an abomination to Him because they lacked genuine justice and righteousness ([Amos 5:21-23](/amos/5-21-23 "Amos 5:21-23 - God Rejects Israel's Worship")). Instead, God desires "justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" ([Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down")). Finally, the pervasive **Symbolism of Darkness** in the verse is crucial. It signifies not merely the absence of light but profound calamity, despair, misery, and the withdrawal of God's favor, representing a state of hopelessness and divine abandonment for those who have rejected His ways.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** This term (H3117) refers to a period of time, literally a warm day, but often used figuratively for a defined space of time or an epoch. In the context of "the day of the LORD," it denotes a specific, decisive period of divine intervention, whether for salvation or, as here, for judgment.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the tetragrammaton (H3068), the proper name of Israel's God, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature. It underscores that the "day" is not a random event but a deliberate act of the sovereign covenant God of Israel, who is faithful to His character of both love and justice.
* **darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** This word (H2822) signifies the absence of light, but figuratively carries strong connotations of misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, and wickedness. Its use here emphasizes the severe, calamitous nature of the impending judgment, contrasting sharply with any expectation of light or blessing.
* **light (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** This term (H216) refers to illumination, brightness, or happiness. Its explicit denial in the verse ("and not light") powerfully negates Israel's optimistic expectations, underscoring that the "day of the LORD" will be devoid of any joy, triumph, or divine favor for them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light?"**: This is a potent rhetorical question, designed not to elicit an answer but to affirm a truth that the prophet intends to be self-evident, yet which Israel has stubbornly ignored. It directly challenges their popular misconception, asserting that the very "day of the LORD" they anticipate will be characterized by profound calamity ("darkness") rather than the expected triumph and blessing ("light"). The double negative ("not... not") intensifies the certainty of the outcome.
* **"even very dark, and no brightness in it?"**: This second part of the rhetorical question serves as an emphatic reiteration and intensification of the first. The Hebrew word for "very dark" (_ʼâphêl_, H651) suggests a deep, oppressive gloom, like the setting of the sun. The phrase "no brightness" (_nôgahh_, H5051) further confirms the complete absence of any glimmer of hope, relief, or divine favor. It paints a picture of absolute despair and unmitigated judgment, leaving no room for alternative interpretations of the "day of the LORD" for disobedient Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:20 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is not asked to gain information but to make a forceful assertion. By posing the question, "Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?", Amos compels his audience to confront the undeniable truth of their impending doom, leaving no room for denial. This question is reinforced by stark **Contrast** between "darkness" and "light," and "dark" and "brightness," highlighting the complete reversal of Israel's expectations. The use of **Parallelism** in the two clauses ("darkness, and not light" and "very dark, and no brightness") creates a rhythmic emphasis, driving home the severity and certainty of the judgment. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is central, with "darkness" representing calamity, judgment, and the absence of God's favor, while "light" symbolizes blessing, salvation, and divine presence. The repetition and intensification ("darkness... very dark... no brightness") also lean towards **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the grim reality to shock the complacent into understanding the gravity of their situation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:20 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice and His relationship with His covenant people. It shatters the dangerous presumption that divine favor is automatic or based solely on ritualistic observance. Instead, it underscores that God's holiness demands righteousness, and His justice will inevitably be meted out against sin, even within His chosen nation. The "day of the LORD" is thus revealed not as a mere historical event, but as a recurring principle of divine intervention where God acts decisively to uphold His moral order, whether for salvation or judgment. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that true faith is demonstrated not by outward profession alone, but by a life of genuine righteousness, justice, and obedience to God's commands.

* [Isaiah 2:12-17](/isaiah/2-12-17 "Isaiah 2:12-17 - The Day of the LORD Against Human Pride")
* [Joel 2:1-2](/joel/2-1-2 "Joel 2:1-2 - The Day of the LORD as a Day of Gloom")
* [Malachi 4:1](/malachi/4-1 "Malachi 4:1 - The Burning Day of the LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:20 serves as a powerful and enduring warning for all generations. It challenges us to examine our own assumptions about God's grace and justice. Are we presuming upon His favor while living in ways that contradict His character and commands? This verse reminds us that outward religious activity, whether church attendance, tithing, or participation in rituals, is meaningless if our hearts are far from God, if we tolerate injustice, or if our lives are marked by hypocrisy. God's call is for genuine righteousness that flows from a transformed heart, expressed in how we treat others and pursue justice in the world. The "darkness" Amos speaks of is not just a historical judgment on Israel, but a spiritual reality for anyone who persistently chooses sin over obedience, ultimately leading to separation from the source of all light and life. This verse compels us to live with a healthy fear of God, understanding that His patience is not an endorsement of sin, and that true blessing comes from walking in His ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my current assumptions about God's favor and blessing in my life? Are these assumptions rooted in genuine obedience or superficial religiosity?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be living in "darkness" (i.e., unconfessed sin, injustice, or hypocrisy) while expecting "light" (i.e., God's blessing)?**
* **How does my understanding of God's justice influence my daily actions and my pursuit of righteousness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my outward religious practices are aligned with a heart truly devoted to God and His commands for justice?**

### FAQ

**What is the "day of the LORD" and why is it described as "darkness" in Amos 5:20?**

Answer: The "day of the LORD" is a crucial theological concept in the Old Testament, referring to a specific time when God decisively intervenes in human history to execute His will. While it can signify salvation for His faithful people, in the prophetic books, especially for a disobedient Israel, it often denotes a time of divine judgment and reckoning. In Amos 5:20, it is described as "darkness" because, contrary to Israel's expectation of national triumph and vindication, it would be a day of profound calamity, destruction, and despair for them due to their rampant social injustice, idolatry, and spiritual hypocrisy. The "darkness" symbolizes the absence of God's favor, the severity of His judgment, and the resulting misery and hopelessness for those who have rejected His righteous ways, as also seen in [Zephaniah 1:15](/zephaniah/1-15 "Zephaniah 1:15 - The Day of the LORD as a Day of Wrath").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Amos 5:20 prophesied a day of darkness and judgment for disobedient Israel, the ultimate "day of the LORD" finds its profound fulfillment and reinterpretation in Jesus Christ. He is the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who came to dispel the spiritual darkness of sin and ignorance that Amos condemned. For those who believe in Him, the "day of the LORD" is transformed from a day of condemnation into a day of salvation and eternal life, as "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him" ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save")). However, for those who reject the light, Christ's return will indeed be a "day" of ultimate judgment, a final reckoning where every knee will bow and every tongue confess ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Thus, Jesus embodies both the fulfillment of the promised judgment for sin, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross where He bore the "darkness" for us, and the ultimate light and hope for all who turn to Him, offering escape from the "darkness" of eternal separation from God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His coming marks the decisive intervention of God, bringing either salvation or condemnation, depending on one's response to Him.

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

Isaiah 13:10

For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Zephaniah 1:15

That day [is] a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

Ezekiel 34:12

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Job 10:21

Before I go [whence] I shall not return, [even] to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;

Job 10:22

A land of darkness, as darkness [itself; and] of the shadow of death, without any order, and [where] the light [is] as darkness.

Nahum 1:8

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

Matthew 22:13

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.