Amos 5:7

KJV

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye who turn {H2015} judgment {H4941} to wormwood {H3939}, and leave off {H3240} righteousness {H6666} in the earth {H776},

Complete Jewish Bible

You who turn justice to bitter wormwood and throw righteousness to the ground!

Berean Standard Bible

There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground.

American Standard Version

Ye who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:7 delivers a scathing indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly its leaders and judiciary, who perverted the very essence of justice and abandoned righteous conduct. The verse vividly portrays their actions as transforming what should be a source of societal order and fairness ("judgment") into something bitter and destructive ("wormwood"), while simultaneously neglecting or actively forsaking moral integrity and ethical behavior ("righteousness") within the land. This prophetic declaration underscores God's profound displeasure with social injustice and His unwavering demand for ethical governance and personal uprightness from His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:7 is situated within a broader lament and prophetic oracle of judgment delivered by Amos. Chapter 5 begins with a mournful dirge over the impending fall of Israel, yet it intersperses this sorrow with calls to repentance and promises of life for those who "seek the Lord" ([Amos 5:4](/amos/5-4 "Amos 5:4 - Seek the Lord and Live")). The verses immediately preceding Amos 5:7 describe the futility of their religious rituals without true justice, highlighting God's rejection of their solemn assemblies and offerings when their hands are stained with injustice ([Amos 5:21-23](/amos/5-21-23 "Amos 5:21-23 - God Rejects Empty Worship")). Verse 7 specifically targets the perversion of justice, setting the stage for Amos's famous call for justice to roll down like waters in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down"). The chapter oscillates between warnings of judgment and opportunities for repentance, emphasizing that true worship is inseparable from righteous living.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel (circa 760-750 BCE). This was a period of significant economic prosperity and political stability for the Northern Kingdom, marked by expansion and material wealth. However, this outward success masked deep internal rot. The rich and powerful exploited the poor, the legal system was corrupted by bribery and favoritism, and religious observance became a hollow ritual devoid of genuine piety or ethical concern. Judges, who were meant to uphold God's law and ensure fairness, were instead turning justice into a bitter experience for the vulnerable. The "earth" or "land" (`ʼerets`) here refers specifically to the land of Israel, which God had given to His people, and where His covenant laws were meant to be upheld.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. Foremost is the theme of **Social Injustice and Oppression**, which Amos vehemently condemns throughout his prophecy, highlighting how the powerful exploit the weak (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the Poor")). Another critical theme is **God's Demand for Justice and Righteousness**, which is presented as non-negotiable for His covenant people; empty religious rituals are worthless without it ([Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God's Demand for Justice")). The verse also touches upon the theme of **Divine Judgment for Covenant Unfaithfulness**, as the perversion of justice is a direct violation of God's law and will inevitably lead to severe consequences for the nation ([Amos 3:1-2](/amos/3-1-2 "Amos 3:1-2 - Israel's Accountability")). Finally, it underscores the **Hypocrisy of Outward Religion without Inward Transformation**, a pervasive problem in Israel that Amos consistently exposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turn (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** (H2015) A primitive root meaning "to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert." In this context, it signifies a deliberate and active perversion or reversal of what is right. It's not merely a passive failure but an intentional act of twisting or corrupting justice from its intended purpose.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** (H4941) From the root `šâphaṭ` (to judge), this word properly refers to "a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree." It encompasses human and divine law, the act of judging, the place of judgment, and abstractly, justice itself. Here, it denotes the administration of justice, legal decisions, and the societal system designed to ensure fairness and order.
* **wormwood (Hebrew, _laʻănâh'_):** (H3939) Derived from a root meaning "to curse," wormwood is a plant known for its extreme bitterness. In biblical literature, it symbolizes the bitter consequences of sin, divine punishment, or profound sorrow. To turn `mishpâṭ` into `laʻănâh` means to transform what should be beneficial and just into something harmful, painful, and accursed for the people.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** (H6666) From the root `tsâdaq` (to be righteous), this term signifies "rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)." It denotes moral integrity, ethical conduct, and doing what is right in God's eyes, particularly in one's dealings with others and in upholding God's covenant standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye who turn judgment to wormwood":** This clause directly accuses the powerful and those in authority (implied by "Ye") of actively perverting the legal and judicial system. What should be a source of fair decisions, protection for the innocent, and righteous governance (`mishpâṭ`) has been deliberately twisted (`hâphak`) into something that produces bitterness, suffering, and injustice (`laʻănâh`). This indicates a systematic corruption where the legal process itself becomes a tool of oppression rather than a means of upholding divine and human order.
* **"and leave off righteousness in the earth":** This second clause complements the first, pointing to a widespread abandonment of ethical conduct and moral integrity. "Leave off" (from `yânach`, H3240, meaning to deposit, allow to stay, or withhold) implies not just a failure to practice `tsᵉdâqâh` (righteousness) but a conscious decision to neglect, abandon, or even actively suppress it within the land. This refers to a societal condition where uprightness, fairness, and adherence to God's moral standards are no longer valued or practiced, leading to a breakdown of societal trust and an increase in exploitation.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:7 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "turn judgment to wormwood." Judgment, an abstract concept representing justice and order, is metaphorically transformed into wormwood, a tangible substance known for its extreme bitterness. This vivid image effectively communicates the severe and painful consequences of perverted justice, making what should be sweet (fairness) into something acrid and destructive. Additionally, there is a strong element of **Contrast** at play, setting up the expectation of `mishpâṭ` (justice) as something beneficial against its corrupted reality as `laʻănâh` (wormwood), and contrasting the expected presence of `tsᵉdâqâh` (righteousness) with its active abandonment. This highlights the profound moral inversion occurring in Israel. The phrase also contains a subtle **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme nature of the corruption, suggesting that the justice system is not just flawed but has become utterly antithetical to its purpose, producing only misery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:7 is a profound theological statement on God's character and His expectations for His people. It reveals that God is a God of justice and righteousness, deeply concerned with how His people treat one another, especially the vulnerable. The perversion of justice and the abandonment of righteousness are not merely social problems but direct affronts to God's holy nature and His covenant stipulations. This verse underscores the prophetic message that true worship is inextricably linked to ethical living and social justice; religious rituals are an abomination to God when accompanied by oppression and corruption. It highlights the principle that a nation's spiritual health is reflected in its societal practices, particularly in its legal and ethical frameworks.

* [Isaiah 1:21-23](/isaiah/1-21-23 "Isaiah 1:21-23 - Corrupt Jerusalem")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")
* [Proverbs 17:15](/proverbs/17-15 "Proverbs 17:15 - Condemning the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:7 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of corruption, bias, and the neglect of ethical principles in any society. It challenges us to examine our own lives and the systems we inhabit. Are we contributing to justice or injustice in our spheres of influence? Do our actions reflect a commitment to righteousness, or do we, like ancient Israel, "leave off righteousness" for personal gain, convenience, or apathy? This verse calls us to active participation in upholding fairness, advocating for the marginalized, and ensuring that our words and deeds align with God's standards of `mishpâṭ` and `tsᵉdâqâh`. It reminds us that God holds all people, especially those in positions of power, accountable for how they administer justice and whether they foster a society where righteousness flourishes or withers. True prosperity, both individually and corporately, is built upon a foundation of integrity and a relentless pursuit of what is right in God's eyes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community might I be inadvertently "turning judgment to wormwood" through inaction, bias, or a pursuit of self-interest over fairness?**
* **How can I actively "leave off righteousness" in my daily interactions, and what steps can I take to cultivate a greater commitment to ethical living and justice?**
* **Considering Amos's message, how does my personal worship connect with my commitment to social justice and righteousness in the world?**

### FAQ
**What does "wormwood" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In Amos 5:7, "wormwood" (Hebrew: `laʻănâh`) symbolizes extreme bitterness, suffering, and the accursed consequences of sin. It is a plant known for its intensely bitter taste. When Amos says that "judgment" (justice) is turned into "wormwood," he means that what should be a source of order, fairness, and well-being for society has been so perverted that it now produces only pain, oppression, and misery for the people, particularly the vulnerable. It represents the bitter fruit of corrupted justice, leading to societal decay and divine displeasure.

**Who is Amos primarily addressing in this indictment?**

Answer: While the indictment is broadly against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Amos 5:7 specifically targets those in positions of power, authority, and influence, particularly the judges, elders, and leaders responsible for administering justice. These are the individuals entrusted with upholding God's law and ensuring fair treatment for all citizens. The accusation implies that they were the ones actively "turning judgment to wormwood" and "leaving off righteousness," either through bribery, favoritism, or neglect, thereby exploiting the poor and weak for their own gain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 5:7, with its condemnation of perverted justice and abandoned righteousness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of perfect `mishpâṭ` (judgment/justice) and `tsᵉdâqâh` (righteousness). Unlike the corrupt judges of Israel who twisted justice, Jesus perfectly upheld God's righteous standards, living a life of impeccable integrity and advocating for the oppressed ([Matthew 12:18-21](/matthew/12-18-21 "Matthew 12:18-21 - Jesus, God's Servant of Justice")). He did not "leave off righteousness" but fulfilled all righteousness, even to the point of death on the cross, where divine justice and mercy met ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Furthermore, Jesus bore the "wormwood" of humanity's sin and God's judgment, experiencing the ultimate bitterness so that those who believe in Him might receive His perfect righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He provides the means for humanity to be reconciled to a just and righteous God, transforming the bitter consequences of sin into the sweet grace of salvation and empowering believers to live lives of true justice and righteousness, no longer turning `mishpâṭ` to `laʻănâh` but seeking to let "justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream" ([Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down")) through the power of the Holy Spirit ([Philippians 1:9-11](/philippians/1-9-11 "Philippians 1:9-11 - Fruit of Righteousness")).

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

Amos 6:12

Shall horses run upon the rock? will [one] plow [there] with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

Hosea 10:4

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

Ezekiel 3:20

Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Zephaniah 1:6

And them that are turned back from the LORD; and [those] that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.

Amos 5:11

Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

Amos 5:12

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate [from their right].

Deuteronomy 29:18

Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;