Amos 6:8

KJV

¶ The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} hath sworn {H7650} by himself {H5315}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} the God {H430} of hosts {H6635}, I abhor {H8374} the excellency {H1347} of Jacob {H3290}, and hate {H8130} his palaces {H759}: therefore will I deliver up {H5462} the city {H5892} with all that is therein {H4393}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Adonai ELOHIM swears by himself," says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot, "I detest that Ya'akov is so proud, and I hate his palaces. I will hand over the city, along with everything in it."

Berean Standard Bible

The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself—the LORD, the God of Hosts, has declared: “I abhor Jacob’s pride and detest his citadels, so I will deliver up the city and everything in it.”

American Standard Version

The Lord Jehovah hath sworn by himself, saith Jehovah, the God of hosts: I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces; therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 6:8 delivers a profound and solemn declaration of divine judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, identified as Jacob. The Lord God, having sworn by His own being, expresses His utter detestation for the nation's arrogant pride and the opulent, unjustly acquired wealth symbolized by their palaces. This powerful oath seals the fate of Samaria, the capital city, prophesying its complete surrender and destruction along with all its inhabitants and possessions, as a direct consequence of their spiritual complacency and social corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 6:8 stands as a climactic declaration within a series of "woes" pronounced by the prophet against Israel's elite. The preceding verses (Amos 6:1-7) vividly describe the luxurious and complacent lifestyle of the wealthy in Samaria, who indulged in extravagant feasts, music, and fine oils, all while ignoring the spiritual decay and social injustice plaguing their nation. They are "at ease in Zion" and "secure in Samaria," oblivious to the impending doom. This verse, therefore, is God's direct, sworn response to their self-indulgent arrogance, serving as a solemn pronouncement of the inevitable judgment that will befall them. It transitions into the consequences of this judgment, detailing the desolation and exile that will follow (Amos 6:9-11).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Amos was delivered during the reign of Jeroboam II in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (c. 793-753 BC), a period marked by significant economic prosperity and territorial expansion. This wealth, however, was often gained through oppression of the poor and a widening gap between the rich and the impoverished. Religiously, while outward worship continued, it was devoid of true righteousness and justice, reflecting a deep spiritual apathy. Samaria, as the capital, was the epicenter of this affluence and corruption, characterized by grand houses and a culture of luxury. The "palaces" mentioned in the verse were actual structures that symbolized the nation's pride and the ill-gotten gains of its ruling class. The looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, though not explicitly named here, provides the historical backdrop against which this judgment would ultimately be fulfilled (cf. [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Fall of Samaria")).
* **Key Themes:** Amos 6:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** as an inevitable consequence of unrepentant sin, particularly social injustice and spiritual complacency. God's "abhorrence" highlights His righteous indignation against moral corruption and the abuse of power, a theme echoed in Amos's earlier pronouncements against surrounding nations and Judah (e.g., [Amos 1:3-2:16](/amos/1-3-2-16 "Amos 1-2 - Oracles Against the Nations")). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Unchangeable Word**, demonstrated by His swearing "by himself," signifying the absolute certainty and irreversibility of His decree. This reinforces the idea that God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His holy character and commitment to justice, a truth found throughout the prophetic literature (e.g., [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")). Finally, it highlights the theme of **Pride and Materialism as Spiritual Dangers**, showing how the "excellency of Jacob" had devolved from a divinely bestowed privilege into a source of arrogant self-reliance and injustice, leading to divine rejection. The contrast between Israel's perceived glory and God's actual view of their corruption is a central tension in Amos (cf. [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God's Rejection of Empty Worship")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **abhor (Hebrew, _tâʼab'_):** From H8374, this primitive root means "to loathe (morally)." It signifies a strong, visceral disgust or detestation, indicating God's profound moral revulsion at the spiritual and social state of Israel. It's not merely a dislike but an utter rejection based on a violation of His holy character and covenant standards.
* **excellency (Hebrew, _gâʼôwn'_):** From H1347, this word denotes "arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament." While it can refer to true majesty or glory (e.g., God's excellency), in this context, it carries a negative connotation, pointing to the inflated self-importance, pomp, and arrogant pride of Jacob (Israel). It's their self-perceived greatness, often tied to their material wealth and political power, which God finds detestable because it has replaced reliance on Him and led to injustice.
* **sworn (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** From H7650, this primitive root means "to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)." It implies taking an oath, making a solemn declaration. When God swears by Himself, it underscores the absolute certainty, immutability, and inviolability of the pronouncement, as there is no higher authority by whom He could swear (cf. [Hebrews 6:13](/hebrews/6-13 "Hebrews 6:13 - God's Unchangeable Oath")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts,"**: This opening clause establishes the absolute authority and certainty of the ensuing declaration. The repetition of divine titles ("The Lord GOD," "the LORD the God of hosts") emphasizes God's supreme power and sovereignty over all creation, including nations and armies. The act of swearing "by himself" highlights the immutable nature of the divine decree; it is a self-attestation that guarantees the fulfillment of the word spoken, signifying that God's character and being are staked on this pronouncement.
* **"I abhor the excellency of Jacob,"**: Here, God expresses His profound moral revulsion. "Jacob" represents the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Their "excellency" refers not to their true, God-given glory but to their arrogant pride, their self-sufficiency, and the pomp and splendor derived from their material wealth and perceived strength. This "excellency" had become a source of sin, leading to injustice and a turning away from God, making it an object of divine loathing.
* **"and hate his palaces:"**: This phrase further specifies the object of God's hatred. The "palaces" symbolize the luxurious, often ill-gotten wealth, the centers of power, and the opulent lifestyle of Israel's elite. These grand structures were built and maintained through oppression, exploitation, and social injustice, making them tangible representations of the very sin that God abhorred. God's hatred is directed at the corrupt system and the attitudes it fostered, not at the physical structures themselves in isolation.
* **"therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein."**: This is the consequence of God's abhorrence and hatred. "The city" primarily refers to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, which was the hub of this decadence and corruption. To "deliver up" means to surrender or hand over. This declares that Samaria, along with all its inhabitants and possessions ("all that is therein"), would be given over to destruction and exile, a prophecy historically fulfilled by the Assyrian conquest. It signifies a complete and devastating judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 6:8 is rich in **Divine Oath** and **Solemn Declaration**, as God "swears by himself," lending immense weight and certainty to the pronouncement. This is a powerful rhetorical device to underscore the immutability of the divine word. **Personification** is evident in God expressing emotions like "abhor" and "hate," conveying His righteous indignation and moral revulsion against Israel's sin. The phrase "the excellency of Jacob" employs **Metonymy**, where "excellency" stands for the pride, arrogance, and self-sufficiency of the nation. Similarly, "his palaces" serve as **Symbolism**, representing not just physical buildings but the entire system of unjust wealth, luxury, and the oppressive power structures that characterized Israel's elite. The stark contrast between Israel's self-perception of "excellency" and God's "abhorrence" creates a powerful **Irony**, highlighting the spiritual blindness of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 6:8 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness, revealing His character as one who cannot tolerate pride, oppression, and spiritual apathy. The divine oath underscores that God's word of judgment is as certain as His promises of salvation, rooted in His immutable nature. This verse serves as a stark reminder that outward prosperity or religious observance cannot mask inward corruption from the all-seeing God. His abhorrence for Israel's "excellency" and "palaces" demonstrates that true glory is found not in material wealth or human achievement, but in humility, obedience, and the pursuit of justice for the vulnerable. This divine judgment is not arbitrary but a necessary consequence of a covenant people's persistent rebellion and neglect of their divine calling to reflect God's holiness and justice to the world.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 10:2-4](/psalms/10-2-4 "Psalm 10:2-4 - The Wicked's Arrogance")
* [Isaiah 2:12-17](/isaiah/2-12-17 "Isaiah 2:12-17 - The Day of the Lord Against Pride")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 6:8 calls believers to a profound self-examination regarding where we place our trust and what we truly value. In a world that often equates success with material accumulation and outward displays of achievement, this verse serves as a powerful corrective. It challenges us to consider whether our own "excellency"—our talents, achievements, possessions, or even our spiritual gifts—has become a source of pride or self-reliance, rather than an opportunity for humble service to God and others. Are we, like ancient Israel, comfortable in our spiritual and material ease, while ignoring the cries of the poor, the demands of justice, or the spiritual needs of those around us? This passage urges us to cultivate a heart that aligns with God's, abhorring injustice and valuing righteousness above all else. It reminds us that true security and lasting peace are found not in our earthly "palaces" or human strength, but in a repentant heart, a commitment to justice, and an unwavering reliance on the Lord, the God of hosts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own "excellency" or achievements rather than God's grace and provision?**
* **How might my lifestyle or priorities inadvertently contribute to or ignore social injustices, mirroring the "palaces" of Amos's time?**
* **What specific actions can I take to cultivate a heart that abhors injustice and actively pursues righteousness, reflecting God's character?**
* **Do I truly believe that God's warnings, like His promises, are certain and will be fulfilled? How does this belief impact my daily choices?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that God "abhor[s] the excellency of Jacob"?**

Answer: When God declares, "I abhor the excellency of Jacob," it signifies His profound moral disgust and rejection of Israel's arrogant pride and self-sufficiency. The term "excellency" (Hebrew: *gâʼôwn*) here refers not to true glory or divine blessing, but to the nation's inflated sense of importance, their pomp, and their boastful display of wealth and power, which had become detached from their covenant relationship with God and led to widespread injustice. God's abhorrence is directed at their sinful attitude and the corrupt system it produced, not at their inherent identity as His chosen people. It's a statement of divine judgment against spiritual arrogance and the misuse of prosperity.

**Why does God "hate his palaces"?**

Answer: God's hatred for "his palaces" is not a literal hatred for buildings, but a symbolic condemnation of what those palaces represented. They were the tangible manifestations of Israel's ill-gotten wealth, luxury, and the oppressive power of the elite. These grand residences were often built through exploitation, bribery, and neglect of the poor, symbolizing a lifestyle of self-indulgence and injustice that directly violated God's covenant commands for social righteousness. Therefore, God's hatred targets the systemic corruption and the heart attitude of those who built and inhabited them, particularly as described in the preceding verses of [Amos 6:1-7](/amos/6-1-7 "Amos 6:1-7 - Woe to Those at Ease in Zion").

**Was this prophecy of judgment fulfilled, and how?**

Answer: Yes, the prophecy of God delivering up "the city with all that is therein" was historically fulfilled. "The city" primarily refers to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Approximately 30-40 years after Amos's prophecy, the Assyrian Empire, a powerful and ruthless military force, conquered Samaria in 722 BC. The city was indeed "delivered up," its inhabitants were exiled, and its wealth plundered, as recorded in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Fall of Samaria") and [2 Kings 17:18](/2_kings/17-18 "2 Kings 17:18 - The Lord Was Very Angry with Israel"). This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom of Israel as an independent entity, serving as a stark historical testament to the certainty of God's sworn judgment against unrepentant sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 6:8, with its solemn declaration of God's abhorrence for pride and injustice, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Amos prophesied judgment on a nation steeped in self-exaltation and oppression, Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it (cf. [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent Not His Son to Condemn")). Yet, His ministry also brought a radical redefinition of "excellency" and "palaces." Jesus consistently condemned the pride and hypocrisy of the religious elite (e.g., [Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23-1-36 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")), who, like ancient Israel, valued outward show and personal gain over true righteousness and compassion for the poor. He taught that true greatness is found in humble service (cf. [Matthew 20:26-28](/matthew/20-26-28 "Matthew 20:26-28 - To Be Great, Be a Servant")), not in earthly "palaces" or accumulated wealth, which can be a snare (cf. [Matthew 19:23-24](/matthew/19-23-24 "Matthew 19:23-24 - The Rich Young Ruler")). Furthermore, the "city" that God delivered up in Amos 6:8 foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will fall upon all who reject God's rule, culminating in the final judgment of sin and the establishment of Christ's eternal kingdom, where true justice and righteousness dwell (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Jesus, the Lamb of God (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), became the ultimate sacrifice, taking upon Himself the judgment due to humanity's pride and sin, offering a path to reconciliation and a new life founded on humility and love, rather than the "excellency of Jacob."

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

Jeremiah 51:14

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, [saying], Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

Amos 4:2

The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Psalms 47:4

He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

Amos 8:7

The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.

Amos 3:11

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary [there shall be] even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.

Jeremiah 22:5

But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Psalms 106:40

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.