Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name [is] The God of hosts.

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity {H1540} beyond {H1973} Damascus {H1834}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, whose name {H8034} is The God {H430} of hosts {H6635}.

as I exile you beyond Dammesek," says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot - that is his name.

Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is the God of Hosts.

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith Jehovah, whose name is the God of hosts.

Amos 5:27 delivers a stark prophecy of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel, announcing their forced exile due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God.

Context

The prophet Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, was sent to prophesy during a period of relative prosperity in Israel under Jeroboam II, but also rampant social injustice, idolatry, and religious hypocrisy. This verse is the culmination of a series of warnings and laments in Amos 5, where God expresses His rejection of their insincere worship (Amos 5:21-23) and calls for true justice and righteousness. The phrase "beyond Damascus" points directly to the impending Assyrian conquest, which would scatter the Israelites far from their homeland.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: This verse highlights God's righteous response to unrepentant sin. He is not indifferent to injustice and idolatry, and His patience has limits.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The prophecy illustrates the severe repercussions of violating God's covenant, fulfilling warnings found in Deuteronomy 28 regarding exile for persistent rebellion.
  • God's Sovereignty: The LORD declares, "Therefore will I cause you to go," emphasizing His ultimate control over history and nations, even in their downfall. This judgment is not random but divinely ordained.

Linguistic Insights

The title "The God of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth) is a powerful designation emphasizing God's omnipotence and authority. It portrays Him as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation, underscoring the undeniable power behind this judgment. It signifies His absolute power and ability to execute His will, whether in judgment or salvation. Isaiah 6:3 also highlights this majestic title in a context of divine holiness.

Prophetic Fulfillment

This prophecy found its literal fulfillment in 722 BC when the Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting its inhabitants to distant lands, as recorded in 2 Kings 17:6. The phrase "beyond Damascus" signifies a destination far to the northeast of Israel, deep within Assyrian territory, emphasizing the completeness and severity of the exile.

Spiritual Application

Amos 5:27 serves as a timeless reminder that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also just. Persistent sin, especially when coupled with religious hypocrisy and social injustice, will inevitably lead to consequences. It calls believers to examine their own lives for any forms of idolatry or indifference to justice, urging genuine repentance and a pursuit of righteousness. Ultimately, it underscores God's absolute authority and His faithfulness in executing His word, whether in blessing or judgment.

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.
  • 2 Kings 17:6

    In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
  • Acts 7:43

    Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
  • Amos 4:13

    For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what [is] his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, [is] his name.
  • 2 Kings 15:29

    In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

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