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.
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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.
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
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.