Amos 8:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} hath sworn {H7650} by the excellency {H1347} of Jacob {H3290}, Surely I will never {H5331} forget {H7911} any of their works {H4639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI swears by Ya'akov's pride, "I will forget none of their deeds, ever.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget any of their deeds.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 8:7 presents a solemn divine oath from the LORD, affirming His unwavering commitment to remember and justly respond to the pervasive social and religious transgressions of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This declaration underscores God's perfect memory and His unshakeable resolve to hold His people accountable for their deeds, ensuring that their actions of injustice and moral decay will not go unpunished.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 8 is situated within a series of visions and pronouncements of judgment against Israel. The chapter opens with the vision of a basket of summer fruit (/amos/8-1-3 "Amos 8:1-3 - Basket of Summer Fruit Vision"), symbolizing that Israel's time was ripe for judgment, their end was near. Following this, the prophet details the specific sins that have provoked God's wrath: the oppression of the poor, dishonest business practices (using false balances and short measures), and the profaning of the Sabbath. Verse 7 serves as a climactic divine oath, providing the theological foundation and absolute certainty for the judgments that follow, including the severe spiritual famine of hearing the words of the LORD (/amos/8-11-12 "Amos 8:11-12 - Famine of God's Word"). It acts as a divine guarantee that the preceding accusations are not mere threats but unalterable declarations of impending justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of significant economic prosperity under King Jeroboam II (c. 786-746 BC). This prosperity, however, was accompanied by severe social injustice, moral decay, and religious syncretism. The wealthy elite exploited the poor, merchants engaged in fraudulent practices, and the people, while maintaining outward religious rituals, had abandoned the true worship of Yahweh and the ethical demands of the covenant. Oaths were culturally significant, binding declarations, and a divine oath, especially one "by the excellency of Jacob," would have carried immense weight, signifying an unchangeable and irreversible decree. The "works" referred to are the collective actions of injustice, idolatry, and covenant breaking that characterized Israel's national life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Amos and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Accountability**, emphasizing that God is not indifferent to sin but meticulously records and will inevitably judge human actions, particularly those that violate His covenant and harm the vulnerable. Secondly, it underscores **God's Unchanging Character and Faithfulness**, where His oath by His own "excellency" (a reference to His glorious character or the glory He bestowed upon Israel) signifies the inviolability of His word and His commitment to uphold righteousness. This contrasts sharply with Israel's unfaithfulness. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Consequences for Disobedience**, illustrating that persistent rebellion against God's commands, especially social injustice, will lead to certain judgment, as seen throughout the book of Amos and echoed in passages like Deuteronomy 28, which outlines the blessings and curses of the covenant (/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sworn (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** From H7650, meaning "to seven oneself," implying to swear as if by repeating a declaration seven times, signifying completeness and certainty. In this context, it emphasizes the absolute, unchangeable nature of God's declaration, making it a divine oath that cannot be revoked or forgotten.
* **excellency (Hebrew, _gâʼôwn'_):** From H1347, meaning "arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament." Here, "the excellency of Jacob" refers to God swearing by His own glorious character, majesty, or the unique honor and distinction He bestowed upon Israel as His chosen people. It signifies that God's very nature and His covenant relationship with Israel necessitate His righteous judgment.
* **forget (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** From H7911, meaning "to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention." The strong negative "never forget" emphasizes God's infallible memory and His deliberate, conscious resolve to hold Israel accountable. It is not a lapse of memory, but a firm commitment to justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob":** This opening clause establishes the absolute certainty and solemnity of the divine pronouncement. When the LORD (Yahweh, the covenant God) swears, it is an unchangeable decree, binding Himself to His word. The phrase "by the excellency of Jacob" indicates that God is swearing by His own glorious and majestic character, or by the unique honor and covenant relationship He established with Israel (Jacob). This implies that His very nature and His commitment to His covenant demand that He act in judgment against their sin.
* **"Surely I will never forget any of their works":** This is the content of God's oath, a powerful negative affirmation. "Never forget" is an anthropomorphism, attributing human memory to God, but it signifies His perfect knowledge and infallible remembrance of every action. "Any of their works" refers to the totality of Israel's deeds, particularly their widespread social injustice, idolatry, and moral corruption detailed throughout the book of Amos. This declaration assures that no sin, no act of oppression or dishonesty, will escape divine notice or accountability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Oath**, where God swears by Himself ("the excellency of Jacob" referring to His own character or the glory He gave to Israel). This device imbues the statement with absolute certainty, solemnity, and immutability, signaling that the ensuing judgment is not a possibility but an inevitable reality. Another device is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in "I will never forget." While God does not possess a human memory, this phrase conveys His perfect knowledge, unwavering attention, and deliberate resolve to hold Israel accountable, emphasizing that no deed is hidden from His sight. The phrase "any of their works" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's remembrance, implying that every single transgression, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, has been noted and will be addressed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 8:7 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His perfect omniscience. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to the actions of humanity, especially His covenant people. His oath serves as a theological anchor, demonstrating that His character demands accountability for sin, particularly social injustice and the oppression of the vulnerable. This divine remembrance is not for blessing, but for judgment, ensuring that consequences align with deeds. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, affirming God's righteous governance over all creation and His faithfulness to His own character, even when it means bringing judgment upon those He loves.

* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - God Searches Hearts")
* [Psalm 90:8](/psalms/90-8 "Psalm 90:8 - God's Knowledge of Sins")
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God's Unchanging Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 8:7 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of divine accountability, urging believers to live with integrity and a deep awareness of God's perfect knowledge. It challenges us to consider that every action, every word, and even every thought is known to God and will ultimately be brought into account. This truth should inspire not fear, but a profound reverence for God's holiness and a diligent pursuit of righteousness. It compels us to examine our own "works"—our business practices, our treatment of the marginalized, our commitment to truth—and to align them with God's unwavering standards of justice and love. Furthermore, it reassures us that while God remembers sin for judgment, for those who are in Christ, He also remembers His covenant promises and the sacrifice of His Son, offering forgiveness and new life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "works" in my life, personal or communal, might be contrary to God's "excellency" and His desire for justice?**
* **How does the truth of God's perfect memory ("I will never forget") impact my daily choices and my commitment to ethical living?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in promoting justice and caring for the vulnerable in my community, reflecting God's character?**

### FAQ
**What does "the excellency of Jacob" mean in this verse?**

Answer: "The excellency of Jacob" (Hebrew: *gâʼôwn*) refers to God swearing by His own glorious character, majesty, and unique attributes. It can also imply the honor, pride, or distinction that God Himself bestowed upon Jacob (Israel) as His chosen people, making it a reference to the covenant relationship. By swearing by this "excellency," God is invoking His very being and His covenant faithfulness as the guarantee of His impending judgment. It underscores the inviolability of His oath and the certainty that He will act in accordance with His righteous nature, holding Israel accountable for profaning the very glory He gave them through their unrighteous "works."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 8:7, with its declaration of God's unwavering memory and commitment to judge "their works," finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets like Amos proclaimed a coming judgment for sin, Christ Himself is revealed as both the perfect embodiment of God's "excellency" and the final judge of all humanity. Every work, every deed, which God swore He would "never forget," will be brought before the judgment seat of Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2-corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - Judgment Seat of Christ")). Yet, the "excellency of Jacob" that demands justice is also the divine love that provided a way for redemption. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took upon Himself the full weight of humanity's works and their deserved judgment on the cross ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Suffering Servant")). For those who believe in Him, God, in His infinite mercy, "remembers their sins no more" ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - New Covenant Forgiveness")) because Christ's perfect work has satisfied the divine demand for justice. Thus, Amos 8:7 foreshadows the comprehensive accountability that culminates in Christ, who both judges the unrepentant and offers complete forgiveness and forgetfulness of sins for those who trust in His atoning sacrifice.

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 6:8

¶ 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.

Hosea 9:9

They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

Hosea 7:2

And they consider not in their hearts [that] I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.

Psalms 10:11

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see [it].

Jeremiah 17:1

¶ The sin of Judah [is] written with a pen of iron, [and] with the point of a diamond: [it is] graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.