Amos 9:5

And the Lord GOD of hosts [is] he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as [by] the flood of Egypt.

And the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} of hosts {H6635} is he that toucheth {H5060} the land {H776}, and it shall melt {H4127}, and all that dwell {H3427} therein shall mourn {H56}: and it shall rise up {H5927} wholly like a flood {H2975}; and shall be drowned {H8257}, as by the flood {H2975} of Egypt {H4714}.

For Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot is the one who can melt the earth with his touch, and make all who live on it mourn. It will all rise, just like the Nile, and then subside, like the Nile in Egypt.

The Lord GOD of Hosts, He who touches the earth and it melts, and all its dwellers mourn— all the land rises like the Nile, then sinks like the river of Egypt—

For the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, ishe that toucheth the land and it melteth, and all that dwell therein shall mourn; and it shall rise up wholly like the River, and shall sink again, like the River of Egypt;

Commentary on Amos 9:5 (KJV)

Amos 9:5 powerfully portrays the Lord GOD's absolute sovereignty and overwhelming might, particularly in judgment. This verse serves as a stark reminder to ancient Israel, and to us, of God's direct control over creation and history.

Context

The prophet Amos, an 8th-century BC shepherd from Judah, was called by God to prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Despite their outward prosperity, Israel was plagued by social injustice, religious hypocrisy, and moral decay. The book of Amos is largely a pronouncement of impending divine judgment, culminating in a series of visions in chapters 7-9 that emphasize the inescapable nature of God's wrath. Amos 9:5 is part of the final vision, reinforcing the inevitability of God's intervention and the futility of resistance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence: The verse opens by identifying the "Lord GOD of hosts" as the one who acts. This title, Adonai Yahweh Tsebaoth in Hebrew, emphasizes God's supreme authority as the Master of all creation, including heavenly armies. His power is not merely metaphorical but capable of physically altering the earth.
  • Inescapable Judgment: God's "touch" causes the land to "melt" and its inhabitants to "mourn." This imagery signifies a complete and devastating judgment that affects both the physical environment and the people within it. There is no hiding from His presence or avoiding His decree.
  • Nature as God's Instrument: The melting earth and the flood-like inundation illustrate God's command over natural elements. The land rising "like a flood" and being "drowned, as by the flood of Egypt" evokes the overwhelming and destructive power of the Nile's annual overflow when it became a force of destruction, or perhaps even a reference to the plagues or the Flood of Noah. This highlights that natural disasters are not random but can be instruments of God's divine judgment.
  • Universal Impact: "All that dwell therein shall mourn" underscores the comprehensive reach of this judgment. It is not selective but affects everyone in the land.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Lord GOD of hosts" (Hebrew: Adonai Yahweh Tsebaoth) is highly significant. Adonai means "Lord" or "Master," implying ownership and authority. Yahweh is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature. Tsebaoth means "armies" or "hosts," indicating God's command over all heavenly and earthly forces. This title powerfully conveys God's ultimate authority and power, especially in the context of judgment.

The word "melt" (Hebrew: māśaq or a similar root) suggests dissolution, weakening, or losing form, indicating that the very stability of the earth is subject to God's will. The imagery of the land rising "like a flood" and being "drowned, as by the flood of Egypt" likely refers to the powerful, overwhelming, and potentially destructive annual inundation of the Nile, a familiar and potent symbol of overwhelming force to the Israelites.

Practical Application

Amos 9:5 reminds us of God's unchanging nature and His absolute control over all things. For believers, this verse reinforces the comfort that our God is sovereign and mighty, even in chaos. For those who disregard Him, it serves as a solemn warning that God is just and will hold humanity accountable for its actions. His power is not to be trifled with, and His judgments are certain. It calls us to live in reverence, seeking righteousness and justice, knowing that our lives are lived under the watchful eye of the Lord GOD of hosts, who holds the very earth in His hand.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Amos 8:8

    Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as [by] the flood of Egypt.

  • Psalms 46:6

    ¶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

  • Revelation 20:11

    ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  • Micah 1:3

    For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

  • Micah 1:4

    And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, [and] as the waters [that are] poured down a steep place.

  • Isaiah 64:1

    ¶ Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

  • Hosea 4:3

    Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

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