Amos 7:3

KJV

The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} repented {H5162} for this: It shall not be, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI changed his mind about this. "It won't happen," ADONAI said.

Berean Standard Bible

So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said.

American Standard Version

Jehovah repented concerning this: It shall not be, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 7:3 reveals the profound mercy of God and the efficacy of intercessory prayer. Following the prophet Amos's fervent plea for the northern kingdom of Israel, the LORD, in His compassionate character, relents from the immediate judgment of a devastating locust plague He had shown in a vision. This verse powerfully demonstrates God's willingness to alter His declared course of action in response to the earnest cries of His servant, thereby averting impending destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 7 initiates a series of five visions granted to the prophet, each depicting a different aspect of God's impending judgment upon Israel. The first two visions, the locusts (Amos 7:1-3) and the fire (Amos 7:4-6), share a common structure: a vision of destruction, Amos's passionate intercession, and God's merciful relenting. This pattern highlights the prophet's role as a mediator and underscores God's patience. The immediate preceding verse, [Amos 7:2](/amos/7-2 "Amos's Intercession for Israel"), records Amos's desperate cry, "O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small." Verse 3 is God's direct and immediate response to this heartfelt prayer, setting a precedent for divine responsiveness that is contrasted by the later visions where God does not relent (e.g., the plumb line in [Amos 7:7-9](/amos/7-7-9 "The Vision of the Plumb Line")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel (circa 760-750 BC). This period was one of significant economic prosperity for the Northern Kingdom, but it was also marked by deep spiritual decline, rampant idolatry, social injustice, and moral decay, as evidenced throughout the book of [Amos](/amos/1 "The Book of Amos"). The vision of locusts would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, as such plagues were a common and devastating threat, capable of wiping out entire harvests and leading to widespread famine and economic collapse. In the ancient Near East, natural disasters were often interpreted as divine judgment, making God's decision to "repent" (relent) from this specific judgment all the more significant in this context of impending doom.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 7:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Amos and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Compassion and Mercy**, revealing God's willingness to extend grace even to a rebellious nation in response to intercession, showcasing His long-suffering nature despite His righteous anger. This verse also profoundly emphasizes the **Power of Intercessory Prayer**, demonstrating that the earnest prayers of righteous individuals can genuinely influence divine action and avert declared judgments, as seen in other instances like [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Moses' Intercession for Israel"). Furthermore, it touches upon the complex theological concept of **God's Relenting**, which is not a change in His immutable character or eternal purposes, but rather a change in His expressed intention or course of action in response to human repentance or intercession, as also illustrated in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "God Relents for Nineveh").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred covenant name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "the LORD." It signifies the self-Existent, Eternal God, emphasizing His unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. In this context, it underscores that it is the sovereign, covenant-keeping God who is responding to Amos's prayer, highlighting the divine authority behind the decision to relent.
* **repented (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** From H5162, this primitive root means "to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue." When applied to God, as here, it signifies "to relent," "to feel compassion," or "to change one's mind" concerning a declared intention of judgment. It does not imply a moral change or regret in God, but rather a change in His disposition or action in response to a new circumstance, in this case, Amos's intercession.
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, this primitive root means "to say (used with great latitude)." In this context, "saith the LORD" is a powerful prophetic formula, indicating a direct, authoritative declaration from God. It emphasizes the certainty and finality of God's word, confirming that the judgment of the locust plague has indeed been averted by divine decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD repented for this:"**: This clause signifies God's decision to withdraw the specific judgment of the locust plague that He had revealed to Amos. The Hebrew verb "nâcham" (repented) here indicates a change in God's *expressed intention* or *course of action*, not a change in His immutable character or eternal will. It demonstrates His divine compassion and responsiveness to the heartfelt intercession of His prophet, showing that His judgments are not always irreversible decrees if there is a turning or a plea for mercy.
* **"It shall not be, saith the LORD."**: This is God's definitive and authoritative declaration, immediately following His "relenting." The phrase "It shall not be" unequivocally cancels the impending locust plague. The concluding "saith the LORD" (Yahweh) serves as a divine signature, affirming the absolute certainty and power of this pronouncement. It underscores that the decision to avert the judgment is not a mere possibility but a firm, divinely ordained reality.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 7:3 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, where human characteristics or actions are attributed to God. The phrase "the LORD repented" uses a human verb ("repented") to describe God's action. This is not to suggest that God experiences regret or changes His mind in the human sense of indecision or moral failing, but rather to communicate in human terms that He altered His declared intention or course of action in response to Amos's intercession. This device helps human beings grasp divine responsiveness. Another key device is the **Divine Oracle**, specifically the concluding phrase "saith the LORD." This formula is a hallmark of prophetic literature, serving as an authoritative pronouncement directly from God. It lends immense weight and finality to the statement "It shall not be," emphasizing that this is not Amos's wish, but a direct, binding decree from the sovereign God. The entire passage also functions as a **Narrative of Intercession**, where the prophet's plea directly influences the divine outcome, highlighting the dynamic relationship between God and His faithful servants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 7:3 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God and the power of prayer. It reveals a God who, while just and righteous in His judgments, is also infinitely merciful and compassionate, willing to relent from declared wrath in response to sincere intercession. This passage does not imply that God is fickle or that His eternal purposes change, but rather that His interaction with humanity is dynamic. His expressed intentions can shift based on human response, whether it be repentance or, as here, the fervent prayer of a mediator. This demonstrates God's desire for relationship and His openness to the cries of His people, reinforcing the truth that prayer is not merely a spiritual exercise but a genuine engagement with a responsive God who hears and acts.

* [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Moses Intercedes for Israel after the Golden Calf")
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "God Relents for Nineveh")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Power of Righteous Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 7:3 offers immense encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It reminds us that our God is not distant or unresponsive, but intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, and profoundly moved by the prayers of His people. This verse should ignite within us a renewed commitment to intercessory prayer, not only for our personal needs but for our communities, nations, and for those facing various forms of judgment or hardship. It teaches us that even when divine judgment seems inevitable, there is always hope for mercy when God's people humble themselves and cry out to Him. We are called to stand in the gap, just as Amos did, believing that our earnest prayers can indeed influence divine outcomes and bring about God's compassionate intervention. This confidence in God's character—His justice tempered by His profound mercy—empowers us to approach Him boldly, knowing He is willing to hear and respond to our pleas for grace and intervention in a world desperately in need of His touch.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Amos's intercession challenge my own prayer life and my commitment to praying for others?**
* **In what areas of my life or in the world around me do I need to trust God's mercy and power to "relent" from negative outcomes?**
* **What does God's responsiveness in Amos 7:3 teach me about His character, and how does that deepen my faith?**

### FAQ

**Does God truly "repent" or change His mind, as Amos 7:3 suggests?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "repented" (נחם, _nâcham_) when applied to God, is best understood as "relented," "felt compassion," or "changed His course of action" regarding a previously declared intention. It does not mean God changes His immutable character, His eternal purposes, or that He makes mistakes. Rather, it signifies a change in His *disposition* or *expressed intention* in response to a change in human circumstances, such as repentance or, as in Amos's case, fervent intercession. This dynamic interaction highlights God's relational nature and His desire for humanity to turn from sin rather than face judgment. Passages like [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie") affirm God's immutability, while verses like [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "God Relents for Nineveh") show Him relenting from judgment when people repent. These are not contradictions but complementary truths: God's character is unchanging, but His methods and immediate judgments can be influenced by human response.

**What does this verse teach us about the power of prayer?**

Answer: Amos 7:3 provides a powerful testament to the efficacy of intercessory prayer. It clearly demonstrates that the prayers of righteous individuals are not mere exercises in piety, but a real and dynamic interaction with God that can genuinely influence divine action. Amos's desperate plea for Israel directly resulted in God's decision to avert the immediate judgment of the locust plague. This teaches us that God truly hears and responds to the earnest cries of His people. While God is sovereign, He has chosen to involve humanity in His plans through prayer, granting us the profound privilege and responsibility to intercede for others and for the world. It underscores the biblical principle found in [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Man"), that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 7:3, with its portrayal of God relenting from judgment in response to intercession, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Amos, as an intercessor standing between God and His people, foreshadows the role of Christ as our great High Priest and ultimate Mediator. While Amos pleaded for a temporary reprieve from a physical plague, Jesus' intercession secures eternal salvation from the ultimate judgment of sin. The "repenting" or relenting of God in Amos's time, though real, was always provisional and pointed to a greater, definitive act of mercy. This act is realized in Christ, who, through His perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection, fully satisfied God's justice and made a way for God to "relent" from the judgment due to humanity. Because of Christ, God can be both just and the justifier of those who believe ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "God is Just and Justifies the Believer")). Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the judgment we deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, Christ continues His intercessory work on our behalf, eternally pleading for His people before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Christ Always Lives to Make Intercession"), [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Christ Intercedes for Us"), [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "Christ Our Advocate")). Thus, the temporary reprieve granted in Amos 7:3 is a shadow of the eternal salvation and ongoing mercy secured for us by our perfect Intercessor, Jesus Christ, who ensures that the ultimate judgment "shall not be" for those who are in Him.

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

Deuteronomy 32:36

For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

Jonah 3:10

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not.

Hosea 11:8

¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Joel 2:14

Who knoweth [if] he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; [even] a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Amos 7:6

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

Psalms 106:45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Jeremiah 26:19

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.