Amos 8:3

And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: [there shall be] many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast [them] forth with silence.

And the songs {H7892} of the temple {H1964} shall be howlings {H3213} in that day {H3117}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}: there shall be many {H7227} dead bodies {H6297} in every place {H4725}; they shall cast them forth {H7993} with silence {H2013}.

When that time comes, the songs in the temple will be wailings," says Adonai ELOHIM. "There will be many dead bodies; everywhere silence will reign."

“In that day,” declares the Lord GOD, “the songs of the temple will turn to wailing. Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!”

And the songs of the temple shall be wailings in that day, saith the Lord Jehovah: the dead bodies shall be many; in every place shall they cast them forth with silence.

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Commentary

Amos 8:3 KJV: "And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: [there shall be] many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast [them] forth with silence."

Context of Amos 8:3

The Book of Amos delivers a stern message of judgment from God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, primarily due to their social injustice, religious hypocrisy, and idolatry. Chapter 8 presents a vision of a basket of summer fruit, symbolizing Israel's ripeness for impending judgment. This verse vividly describes the horrific immediate aftermath of that divine punishment. The prophet Amos foretells a time of extreme desolation and mourning, a stark reversal of the nation's former prosperity and religious observances.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reversal of Joy into Lament: The most striking image is the transformation of "songs of the temple" into "howlings." This signifies that places of worship and celebration will become scenes of profound grief and wailing. It underscores the severity of God's displeasure, turning the sacred sounds of praise into cries of despair.
  • Widespread Death and Desolation: The prophecy speaks of "many dead bodies in every place," indicating a catastrophic loss of life. This isn't just a localized event but a widespread devastation affecting the entire land. The sheer number of casualties will be overwhelming.
  • Silent, Dishonorable Disposal: The phrase "they shall cast them forth with silence" is particularly chilling. It implies that the dead will be disposed of hastily and without proper mourning rituals or respect. The silence could stem from terror, the sheer scale of death rendering people speechless, or the lack of survivors to perform traditional laments. This lack of proper burial was considered a great dishonor in ancient cultures, highlighting the depth of the judgment.
  • God's Unquestionable Authority: The declaration "saith the Lord GOD" emphasizes the divine origin and certainty of this prophecy. It is not merely a human prediction but a decree from the sovereign God, whose word cannot fail. This reinforces the theme of God's ultimate control and justice.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "songs" is shir, referring to joyful melodies, often associated with worship and celebration. Its contrast with yelalah, meaning "howlings" or "wailing," paints a vivid picture of extreme sorrow and lamentation.
  • "Silence" comes from the Hebrew word dumiyah or dummah, which can denote quietness, stillness, or the quietness of death. In this context, it conveys a stunned, terrified, or desolate quietness, a stark absence of the usual sounds of life and ritual mourning.

Practical Application and Reflection

Amos 8:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. It highlights that true worship is not merely ritualistic but must be accompanied by righteousness and justice in daily life. When a nation or individual turns away from God's commands, even sacred spaces and practices can become meaningless, and joy can be swiftly replaced by sorrow.

This verse challenges us to consider:

  • The importance of genuine repentance and seeking the Lord before His judgment falls. The prophet Amos often urged Israel to "seek ye me, and ye shall live".
  • The seriousness of God's justice and His commitment to upholding righteousness.
  • How our actions, both individually and collectively, can lead to either blessing or severe consequence.

Ultimately, Amos 8:3 is a sobering warning that underscores the need for spiritual integrity and a humble walk with God, lest our joy be turned to lament.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 5:23

    Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

  • Amos 6:9

    And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.

  • Amos 6:10

    And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that [is] by the sides of the house, [Is there] yet [any] with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 9:21

    For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

  • Jeremiah 9:22

    Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather [them].

  • Leviticus 10:3

    ¶ Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

  • Amos 5:16

    ¶ Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.
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