Amos 8:9

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, that I will cause the sun {H8121} to go down {H935} at noon {H6672}, and I will darken {H2821} the earth {H776} in the clear {H216} day {H3117}:

"When that time comes," says Adonai ELOHIM, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.

And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime.

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

Commentary

Commentary on Amos 8:9 (KJV)

Amos 8:9 presents a striking prophetic image of divine judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, delivered stern warnings during a period of outward prosperity but deep spiritual decay and social injustice in Israel under King Jeroboam II. This verse is part of a series of visions, specifically following the fourth vision of a "basket of summer fruit" (Amos 8:1), which symbolized that Israel's time was ripe for judgment and their end was near.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sudden and Devastating Judgment: The central message is the unexpected and overwhelming nature of God's impending judgment. "I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day" vividly portrays an unnatural catastrophe. Just as the brightest part of the day would suddenly turn to night, so too would Israel's apparent prosperity and security abruptly end in despair and destruction.
  • The Day of the Lord: This verse refers to "that day," which is a common prophetic term for the "Day of the Lord," a time when God intervenes decisively in human history, often bringing judgment upon the wicked and deliverance for the righteous. For Israel, this day would be one of unprecedented darkness and mourning.
  • Cosmic Impact of Sin: The imagery suggests that the judgment is so severe it affects the very fabric of creation. The darkening of the sun and earth symbolizes a profound disruption of the natural order, reflecting the depth of Israel's spiritual corruption and God's absolute sovereignty over all things.
  • Consequence of Injustice: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the preceding and succeeding verses in Amos 8 condemn Israel's pervasive social injustice and spiritual corruption, such as oppressing the poor and dishonest business practices. This cosmic darkness is a direct consequence of their persistent sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sun to go down at noon" is a powerful hyperbole, emphasizing the unnatural and shocking nature of the event. It's not a natural eclipse, but a divine act, a miraculous reversal of the normal course of the day. The parallel phrase "darken the earth in the clear day" reinforces this sense of an unexpected and complete loss of light and hope, symbolizing a period of deep national mourning and despair.

Practical Application

Amos 8:9 serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice and the consequences of rebellion. For believers today, it underscores several vital truths:

  • God's Judgment is Real: While the New Covenant offers grace through Christ, the principle that God will ultimately judge sin remains. This verse reminds us that spiritual and moral decay can lead to severe consequences, even in times of outward prosperity.
  • Urgency of Repentance: The suddenness of the "sun going down at noon" highlights the need for immediate spiritual readiness and repentance, as opportunities for change may unexpectedly cease.
  • Hope in Christ: While Amos prophesied physical and spiritual darkness for Israel, the New Testament speaks of Christ as the "Light of the World" who dispels spiritual darkness. For those in Christ, the ultimate "Day of the Lord" is one of salvation and eternal light.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Mark 15:33

    ¶ And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

  • Matthew 27:45

    Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

  • Luke 23:44

    ¶ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

  • Jeremiah 15:9

    She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while [it was] yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 59:9

    ¶ Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] we walk in darkness.

  • Isaiah 59:10

    We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if [we had] no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; [we are] in desolate places as dead [men].

  • Micah 3:6

    Therefore night [shall be] unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
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