Amos 5:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:3 delivers a stark and sobering prophecy from the Lord GOD, foretelling a catastrophic decimation of the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse, presented as part of a funeral dirge, vividly illustrates the overwhelming judgment awaiting a nation that had stubbornly persisted in social injustice, religious apostasy, and moral decay, indicating that only a small fraction of its population or military strength would survive the impending divine wrath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:3 is embedded within a broader prophetic lament (often called a dirge or funeral song) that begins in [Amos 5:1](/amos/5-1 "Amos 5:1 - Hear this Word of Lamentation"). This lament mourns the impending downfall of the "virgin Israel" even before it occurs, emphasizing the certainty and severity of the judgment. Following a series of indictments against Israel's social injustice and religious hypocrisy in [Amos 4](/amos/4 "Amos 4 - Israel's Persistent Disobedience"), this verse serves as a concrete articulation of the devastating consequences of their unrepentant sin. The lament is immediately followed by a call to repentance in [Amos 5:4-6](/amos/5-4-6 "Amos 5:4-6 - Seek the Lord and Live"), highlighting the tension between God's declared judgment and His persistent invitation to life. The numerical reduction in verse 3 functions as a vivid illustration of the "fall" described in [Amos 5:2](/amos/5-2 "Amos 5:2 - The Fallen Virgin Israel").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered during a period of relative peace and economic prosperity for the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam II (c. 793-753 BC). This prosperity, however, masked deep-seated social inequities, rampant idolatry (particularly the calf worship at Bethel and Dan, as seen in [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")), and a superficial, ritualistic religion that lacked true righteousness and justice. The "cities" mentioned in Amos 5:3 would have been the fortified urban centers of Israel, capable of mustering significant military forces or housing large populations. The numbers "thousand" and "hundred" were likely understood in terms of military levies or general population counts. The judgment described here foreshadows the historical reality of the Assyrian invasions and deportations that would decimate the northern kingdom in the late 8th century BC, culminating in the fall of Samaria in 722 BC, as recorded in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel and Assyrian Captivity").

* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos and the prophetic literature. The most prominent is **Divine Judgment and Justice**, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to hold His covenant people accountable for their actions, particularly their oppression of the poor and their spiritual infidelity. The drastic numerical reduction highlights the severity and comprehensiveness of this judgment, a direct consequence of Israel's repeated failure to heed God's warnings and return to Him (as lamented in [Amos 4:6-11](/amos/4-6-11 "Amos 4:6-11 - God's Repeated Warnings")). Another crucial theme is the **Concept of the Remnant**. While the judgment is devastating, the fact that a small portion "shall leave" (i.e., survive) introduces the idea of a remnant, a recurring motif in prophetic books like [Isaiah](/isaiah/10-20-23 "Isaiah 10:20-23 - The Remnant Will Return") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/31-7 "Jeremiah 31:7 - God Will Save the Remnant of Israel"). This remnant signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring that His people would not be utterly annihilated, even amidst severe discipline. Finally, the verse speaks to the **Loss of National Power and Security**, as the decimation of military and population strength would render Israel vulnerable and diminish its status among nations, fulfilling the curses of the covenant for disobedience found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This compound title, combining H136 and H3069, is a powerful and frequently used prophetic formula. `ʼĂdônây` (Lord) signifies absolute sovereignty and mastery, while `Yᵉhôvih` (GOD, a vocalization of YHWH, the covenant name of God) emphasizes His unique, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature. Together, "Lord GOD" underscores the supreme authority and unchallengeable power of the One who speaks, lending immense weight and certainty to the prophecy. It is not merely a human opinion but the decree of the sovereign, covenant-making God.
* **went out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, this verb means "to go out," "come forth," or "proceed." In this context, it refers to the city's inhabitants or military forces "going out" to battle or simply existing as a population. It implies a state of readiness or presence. The phrase "the city that went out by a thousand" suggests a city capable of fielding a thousand fighting men or a population base from which a thousand could be drawn for various purposes. The use of this verb highlights the active participation or existence of the community prior to the judgment.
* **shall leave (Hebrew, _shâʼar'_):** From H7604, this verb means "to swell up," "be redundant," and by extension, "to leave," "remain," or "be left over." It denotes what survives or is preserved after a destructive event. The stark contrast between "went out" and "shall leave" emphasizes the catastrophic reduction. The word choice here is crucial for the theological concept of the "remnant"—what is left after God's severe judgment, indicating that while the destruction is overwhelming, it is not total annihilation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This is a classic prophetic formula, known as a "messenger formula," which immediately establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. It signals that the following words are not Amos's own thoughts but a direct, authoritative declaration from God Himself, making the prophecy certain and unavoidable.
* **"The city that went out [by] a thousand shall leave an hundred, ":** This clause introduces the shocking numerical reduction. A city that could field a thousand (likely referring to military strength or a significant portion of its male population) will be reduced to only one hundred. This represents a staggering 90% loss, signifying a devastating blow to its manpower, defense, and overall vitality. It implies widespread death, capture, or displacement.
* **"and that which went forth [by] an hundred shall leave ten, ":** This second part of the numerical parallel reinforces the severity and consistency of the judgment. A smaller unit, perhaps a town or a specific contingent of a hundred, will be reduced to merely ten. This reiterates the 90% decimation, emphasizing that the judgment is universal across all levels of Israelite society and military organization, leaving virtually nothing intact.
* **"to the house of Israel.":** This final phrase explicitly identifies the target of this severe judgment: the northern kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim or Samaria). It clarifies that this prophecy is not a general warning but a specific, direct pronouncement of doom upon God's covenant people who had persistently rebelled against Him.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. **Parallelism** is evident in the repetition of the numerical reduction: "a thousand shall leave an hundred" is mirrored by "an hundred shall leave ten." This parallel structure emphasizes the consistency and comprehensive nature of the judgment, applying the same devastating proportion across different scales. The numbers themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing not just literal counts but the catastrophic loss of military strength, population, and national vitality. The 90% reduction is a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** used for dramatic effect, underscoring the extreme severity and near-total destruction that awaits. While perhaps not always a literal 90% in every single instance, it vividly communicates the overwhelming scale of the calamity. Finally, the opening phrase, "**Prophetic Formula**," "For thus saith the Lord GOD," is a crucial device that authenticates the message as divine revelation, lending it unquestionable authority and certainty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:3 powerfully articulates the biblical principle that God's justice is unwavering and that persistent sin, especially among His covenant people, will inevitably lead to severe consequences. This verse serves as a stark reminder that divine patience has limits and that unrepentant rebellion invites disciplinary judgment. While God is merciful and long-suffering, His holiness demands that He act against sin, particularly when His people abandon righteousness and embrace idolatry and injustice. The concept of the "remnant" within this judgment also highlights God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring that a seed of His people will survive, even through the fires of purification, to carry forward His redemptive plan.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience to the Covenant")
* [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A Small Remnant Left by God's Mercy")
* [Jeremiah 30:10-11](/jeremiah/30-10-11 "Jeremiah 30:10-11 - God Will Save and Discipline Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:3, though a prophecy of ancient judgment, carries profound and timeless implications for believers today. It serves as a solemn warning that God takes sin seriously and that His warnings are not to be trifled with. For individuals and communities, it underscores the critical importance of genuine repentance, not merely outward religious observances. When we persist in patterns of sin, whether personal or societal, we invite the consequences of God's righteous judgment. This verse calls us to examine our own lives and our communities for areas of injustice, idolatry, and spiritual apathy, urging us to "seek the Lord and live" ([Amos 5:4](/amos/5-4 "Amos 5:4 - Seek the Lord and Live")). It reminds us that true security and flourishing come not from military might or economic prosperity, but from humble obedience and a right relationship with God. It also offers a sobering perspective on suffering: while painful, God's discipline often serves a redemptive purpose, aiming to purify His people and draw them back into faithful communion with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I or my community be presuming upon God's grace while living in patterns of disobedience?**
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in Amos 5:3 challenge my understanding of His character?**
* **What specific areas of my life or my society need to align more closely with God's justice and righteousness?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's warnings and a quicker response of repentance?**

### FAQ
**Was the 90% decimation in Amos 5:3 a literal historical event, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While prophetic language often employs hyperbole and symbolism to convey the intensity of a message, the numbers in Amos 5:3 likely represent a real and devastating historical outcome. The Assyrian invasions and subsequent deportations of the northern kingdom of Israel (culminating in 722 BC with the fall of Samaria, as described in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Israel Exiled by Assyria")) resulted in a catastrophic loss of life and population. Many cities were indeed decimated, and a vast majority of the Israelite population was either killed, enslaved, or exiled, leaving only a small remnant. Therefore, while not necessarily a precise mathematical calculation for every single city, the prophecy accurately depicts the overwhelming scale of the historical judgment that befell Israel. The intent is to convey the near-total destruction, emphasizing the severity of God's wrath against their unrepentant sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 5:3, with its prophecy of severe judgment and the preservation of a small remnant, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. While the judgment on Israel was a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness, the New Testament reveals that all humanity stands under the condemnation of sin ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, provided a way of escape through Christ. Jesus Christ is the ultimate "remnant" in whom God's promises are preserved and fulfilled. He is the true Israel, the faithful Son, through whom God establishes a new covenant people, a spiritual remnant saved not by their own merit but by grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). The judgment foreshadowed in Amos 5:3, which fell upon rebellious Israel, ultimately points to the greater, final judgment that all will face, from which only those "in Christ" are spared ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - He Who Hears My Word Has Eternal Life")). Furthermore, the call to "seek the Lord and live" in Amos 5:4 is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus, who declares Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). Those who come to Him, though they were once "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")), are given new life, becoming part of God's redeemed remnant, a people purified by the blood of the Lamb, who will inherit eternal life ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Great Multitude Before the Throne")).

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 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.