Amos 7:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} repented {H5162} for this: This also shall not be, saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI changed his mind about it. "This too won't happen," said Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Jehovah repented concerning this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 7:6 concludes the second of Amos's five visions, where the prophet intercedes on behalf of Israel against a devastating judgment by fire. This verse records the Lord's compassionate response to Amos's fervent plea, demonstrating God's willingness to relent from a pronounced judgment. It underscores the profound impact of intercessory prayer and reveals a facet of God's character as merciful and responsive, even in the face of deserved punishment, thereby postponing the immediate destruction of Jacob.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 7:6 serves as the climactic conclusion to the second vision in a series of five distinct visions granted to the prophet Amos, beginning in [Amos 7:1](/amos/7-1 "Amos 7:1-3 - The Vision of the Locusts"). The first vision (locusts, [Amos 7:1-3](/amos/7-1-3 "Amos 7:1-3 - The Vision of the Locusts")) and the second (fire, [Amos 7:4-6](/amos/7-4-6 "Amos 7:4-6 - The Vision of the Fire")) both depict imminent, catastrophic judgments upon Israel. In both instances, Amos, acting as a true prophet and intercessor, cries out to the Lord, appealing to God's mercy and Israel's vulnerability ("for he is small"). Each time, the Lord responds positively to Amos's plea, relenting from the immediate execution of the judgment. This pattern highlights the power of prophetic intercession and God's compassionate nature, setting a poignant contrast with the subsequent visions where God declares His unwavering judgment without relenting, signaling a shift towards the inevitability of divine justice for unrepentant Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, a period of relative peace and economic prosperity for both kingdoms, particularly Israel. However, beneath this outward prosperity lay deep-seated social injustice, moral decay, and religious syncretism, especially in the northern kingdom. The rich oppressed the poor, justice was perverted, and idolatry flourished alongside nominal worship of Yahweh. The judgments envisioned by Amos—locusts, fire, a plumb line, a basket of summer fruit, and the Lord by the altar—reflect common ancient Near Eastern calamities and divine interventions. Fire, in particular, symbolized devastating judgment, often associated with divine wrath or purification, as seen in the destruction of [Sodom and Gomorrah](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). Amos's intercession for a "small" Jacob (Israel) reflects the understanding that despite their covenant status, Israel was vulnerable before God's power and deserved judgment, yet God's compassion could be stirred by a righteous plea.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book of Amos. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, as God's initial intent was to bring a consuming fire upon the land due to Israel's persistent sin. However, it is immediately balanced by the theme of **Divine Mercy and Compassion**, as the Lord "repented" or relented from this judgment in response to Amos's cry. This demonstrates that God is not a rigid, unfeeling deity but is profoundly responsive to the pleas of His faithful servants and is slow to anger, even when justice is due, as seen in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion and Justice"). The verse also highlights the **Power of Intercessory Prayer**, showing that a single prophet's fervent appeal can influence God's immediate actions, a principle echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [Numbers 14:19-20](/numbers/14-19-20 "Numbers 14:19-20 - Moses's Intercession for Israel"). Lastly, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Unchanging Purpose**, as despite relenting from *this* specific judgment, the underlying reasons for judgment remain, setting the stage for the inevitable judgments depicted in the later visions of [Amos 7:7-9](/amos/7-7-9 "Amos 7:7-9 - The Vision of the Plumb Line") and [Amos 8:1-3](/amos/8-1-3 "Amos 8:1-3 - The Vision of the Basket of Summer Fruit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, YHWH, often translated as "the LORD" (in all caps) to distinguish it from Adonai. It signifies God as the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging One who keeps His covenant promises. In this context, it emphasizes that the One who is about to bring judgment is also the faithful, covenant-keeping God who hears the cries of His prophet.
* **repented (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** This verb, when applied to God, does not imply regret over a mistake or a change in His moral character or ultimate purposes. Rather, it conveys a sense of "relenting," "feeling sorrow," or "changing His course of action" in response to a new development (like Amos's prayer) or out of His inherent compassion. It indicates a shift in the *expression* of His will, not a change in His nature. God remains consistent in His character, but His actions can vary based on human response or His sovereign mercy.
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This compound divine title combines _ʼĂdônây_ (Master, Lord) with _Yᵉhôvih_ (a variant of YHWH used to avoid repeating the sound of _ʼĂdônây_ when read aloud). It emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and authority as the Master over all creation, including the events of history and the fate of nations. The phrase "saith the Lord GOD" underscores the divine authority and certainty of the pronouncement, whether of judgment or, in this case, of relenting.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD repented for this:"** This clause signifies God's merciful response to Amos's intercession. The divine "repenting" (Hebrew _nâcham_) indicates a change in God's immediate action or disposition regarding the impending judgment by fire. It does not imply a change in God's character or ultimate plan, but rather a compassionate withdrawal or postponement of the specific calamity He had just revealed to Amos. This demonstrates God's responsiveness to prayer and His willingness to show mercy.
* **"This also shall not be,"** This is the direct declaration of God's relenting. The "this" refers to the judgment by fire that Amos had just witnessed in his vision and interceded against. God's emphatic statement confirms that the specific, immediate destruction by fire will not occur. It is a divine promise of reprieve, directly attributable to Amos's plea.
* **"saith the Lord GOD."** This concluding phrase serves as an authoritative affirmation of the preceding declaration. By invoking the full divine title "Lord GOD," the statement is imbued with absolute certainty and divine power. It underscores that this decision to relent is not a mere suggestion or a temporary pause, but a definitive decree from the sovereign Master of all.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the pattern established between [Amos 7:3](/amos/7-3 "Amos 7:3 - The Lord Relents from Locusts") and [Amos 7:6](/amos/7-6 "Amos 7:6 - The Lord Relents from Fire"), where God twice "repents" or relents from judgment in response to Amos's intercession. This repetition emphasizes God's mercy and the efficacy of prayer. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the phrase "The LORD repented," attributing a human emotion or action (repenting, changing one's mind) to God. This is a common biblical device used to help humans understand God's interaction with His creation, without implying that God is limited by human characteristics or experiences regret in the human sense. The phrase "saith the Lord GOD" functions as a **Divine Formula**, a recurring literary convention used to authenticate a prophetic message as a direct utterance from God, lending it ultimate authority and certainty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 7:6 profoundly illustrates the dynamic interplay between God's justice and His mercy, revealing a God who is both sovereign in His judgments and compassionate in His responses to human pleas. It teaches that while sin demands judgment, God's character is also marked by a profound willingness to relent when there is intercession or a change in human disposition. This divine "repenting" is not a sign of weakness or inconsistency, but rather a demonstration of His relational nature and His desire for humanity to turn from its destructive path. The verse stands as a powerful testament to the value and impact of intercessory prayer, showing that faithful appeals can genuinely move the heart of God and alter the course of events, even when judgment seems inevitable.

* [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - Moses's Intercession for Israel")
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster on Nineveh")
* [Jeremiah 18:7-8](/jeremiah/18-7-8 "Jeremiah 18:7-8 - God's Conditional Declarations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 7:6 offers profound encouragement and a vital call to action for believers today. It reminds us that God is not only just but also merciful, and that His heart is moved by the sincere cries of His people. This verse should ignite within us a deeper commitment to intercessory prayer, recognizing that our fervent pleas can indeed influence divine action and bring about reprieve for others. We are called to embody the spirit of Amos, standing in the gap for our families, communities, and nations, especially when facing moral decline or impending crises. Trusting in God's compassion, we can boldly approach His throne of grace, knowing that He desires not the destruction of the wicked but their repentance and life. While God's ultimate justice will prevail if repentance is absent, this verse assures us that there is always hope for mercy and a postponement of judgment when His people humble themselves and pray.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Amos's intercession challenge or affirm your understanding of the power of prayer?**
* **In what specific situations are you called to intercede for others, following Amos's example?**
* **How does God's "relenting" in this verse deepen your appreciation for His character, balancing His justice with His mercy?**

### FAQ
**Does "The LORD repented" mean God changes His mind or makes mistakes?**

Answer: No, when the Bible says "The LORD repented" (Hebrew _nâcham_), especially in contexts like Amos 7:6, it does not mean God changes His character, makes mistakes, or experiences regret in the human sense. Instead, it signifies a change in His *course of action* or His *expression* of judgment in response to a new development, such as sincere intercession (as with Amos) or human repentance (as with Nineveh in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster on Nineveh")). God's ultimate purposes and His holy nature remain unchanging ([Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")). This "relenting" highlights God's compassion, His responsiveness to prayer, and His desire for humanity to turn from sin, demonstrating that He is not rigidly bound by His pronouncements of judgment but is merciful and willing to defer punishment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 7:6, with its profound display of divine relenting in response to intercession, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Amos interceded for a temporary reprieve from physical judgment, Christ's intercession secures eternal salvation from spiritual judgment. The Lord's willingness to "repent" or relent in Amos foreshadows the ultimate demonstration of God's mercy, which is fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus. God's compassion, hinted at in Amos, is perfectly embodied in Christ, who, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), takes away the sin of the world. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin, thereby making it possible for God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Justice and Justification")). Furthermore, Jesus continues to intercede for His people, serving as our [great High Priest](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession") who ever lives to make intercession for us. Thus, the temporary relenting in Amos 7:6 points forward to the permanent and perfect mercy found in Christ, who offers not just a postponement of judgment, but complete redemption and reconciliation with God for all who trust in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our 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

Psalms 90:13

Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

Judges 2:18

And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

Judges 10:16

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Psalms 135:14

For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

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.

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.

Amos 7:3

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