Amos 5:3

For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out [by] a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth [by] an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.

For thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; The city {H5892} that went out {H3318} by a thousand {H505} shall leave {H7604} an hundred {H3967}, and that which went forth {H3318} by an hundred {H3967} shall leave {H7604} ten {H6235}, to the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

For thus says Adonai ELOHIM: "The city from which a thousand marched will be left with a hundred, and the one from which a hundred marched will be left with ten from the house of Isra'el."

This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will only see a hundred return, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.”

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred shall have ten left, to the house of Israel.

Amos 5:3 delivers a stark prophecy of severe judgment from the Lord GOD upon the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse highlights the devastating consequences of their persistent disobedience and apostasy.

Context of Amos 5:3

The prophet Amos, a shepherd from Judah, was sent by God to pronounce judgment against the prosperous but morally corrupt northern kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim or Samaria). Chapters 4 and 5 of Amos are filled with a series of indictments against their social injustice, religious hypocrisy, and idolatry. Despite previous warnings and minor judgments (as hinted in Amos 4:6-11), Israel had not returned to the Lord. Amos 5:3 is part of a lament or dirge (a funeral song) that foretells the impending doom, emphasizing the irreversible nature of the coming destruction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The primary message is God's unwavering resolve to bring judgment upon a people who have repeatedly turned away from Him. The drastic reduction in numbers—from a thousand to a hundred, and a hundred to ten—symbolizes an overwhelming and nearly complete destruction, a 90% loss. This illustrates the severe consequences of disobedience to God's covenant.
  • The Remnant: While the judgment is severe, the verse implies that a small portion will survive ("leave an hundred," "leave ten"). This concept of a surviving remnant of Israel is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, suggesting that God's covenant promises would not be entirely nullified, though His discipline would be thorough.
  • Loss of Military Strength and Population: The numbers directly relate to military expeditions or general population, signifying a catastrophic loss of life and national power. The cities, once able to muster large forces, would be decimated, leaving them vulnerable and greatly diminished.

Linguistic Insights

The opening phrase, "For thus saith the Lord GOD," is a powerful prophetic formula in Hebrew, kōh ’āmar Adonai YHWH (כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה). This declaration emphasizes the divine authority and absolute certainty of the message. It is not merely Amos's opinion, but the sovereign word of God Himself, leaving no room for doubt about the inevitability of the judgment if repentance did not occur. The numerical reduction is stark and easily understood, conveying the devastating scale of the impending calamity.

Practical Application

Amos 5:3 serves as a timeless warning that God takes sin seriously and that disobedience carries real, often severe, consequences. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Heeding God's Warnings: We are called to listen to God's word and respond with obedience, rather than presuming upon His grace while living in sin.
  • Seeking Righteousness: The judgment on Israel was largely due to their social injustice and spiritual idolatry. This verse reminds us of the need for personal and communal righteousness, seeking God's justice and mercy in our lives and societies. As Amos himself urges in the following verses, the call is to "seek the Lord, and ye shall live."
  • Understanding God's Discipline: While God is merciful, He is also just. His discipline, though painful, is often intended to bring His people back to Himself and to a right relationship with Him.
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.

  • Isaiah 10:22

    For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [yet] a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

  • Ezekiel 12:16

    But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Isaiah 6:13

    But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance [is] in them, when they cast [their leaves: so] the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof.

  • Romans 9:27

    Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

  • Deuteronomy 4:27

    And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

  • Deuteronomy 28:62

    And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

  • Isaiah 1:9

    Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

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