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Amos 1:11

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Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; For three {H7969} transgressions {H6588} of Edom {H123}, and for four {H702}, I will not turn away {H7725} the punishment thereof; because he did pursue {H7291} his brother {H251} with the sword {H2719}, and did cast off {H7843} all pity {H7356}, and his anger {H639} did tear {H2963} perpetually {H5703}, and he kept {H8104} his wrath {H5678} for ever {H5331}:

Here is what ADONAI says: "For Edom's three crimes, no, four - I will not reverse it because with sword he pursued his kinsman and threw aside all pity, constantly nursing his anger, forever fomenting his fury;

This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly.

Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Edom, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever.

Commentary

Amos 1:11 is part of a series of divine pronouncements of judgment by the prophet Amos against the nations surrounding Israel. This specific oracle targets the nation of Edom, highlighting their egregious sins against their historical "brother" nation, Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context

Edom, a nation located southeast of Judah, was descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). This familial relationship, established in Genesis 25:23, is crucial to understanding the severity of God's condemnation. Despite their shared ancestry, Edom consistently displayed hostility towards Israel and Judah, often exploiting their weaknesses or joining their enemies. The book of Amos, delivered during a period of relative prosperity for both Judah and Israel, asserts God's sovereignty over all nations and His righteous indignation against injustice and cruelty, even among non-covenant peoples.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Nations: This verse, like the others in Amos 1-2, underscores that God's moral law applies universally. He holds all nations accountable for their actions, not just His covenant people. The phrase "For three transgressions... and for four" is a poetic device indicating a full, overflowing measure of sin, signifying that Edom's wickedness had reached an unbearable peak.
  • Brotherly Hatred and Cruelty: Edom's primary sin here is their relentless and merciless pursuit of their "brother with the sword." This refers to their active aggression and lack of compassion towards Israel, often during times of Israel's vulnerability. This deep-seated animosity is also detailed in other prophetic books, such as Obadiah 1:10-14.
  • Unrelenting Anger and Lack of Pity: The text emphasizes Edom's complete abandonment of compassion ("did cast off all pity") and their enduring, destructive rage ("his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever"). This was not a momentary lapse but a sustained, malicious disposition, reflecting a profound moral depravity. The Hebrew concept of "pity" (rachamim) often implies a deep, maternal compassion, which Edom utterly lacked.

Linguistic Insights

The numerical parallelism, "For three transgressions... and for four," is a common Hebrew literary form used to express completeness or an overflowing measure of culpability, rather than a literal count of specific sins. It emphasizes that Edom's wickedness was not merely a single act but a pattern of deep-seated malice. The description of their anger "tearing perpetually" (often translated as "devouring" or "consuming") paints a vivid picture of a destructive, unceasing rage that characterized their national spirit towards their kin.

Practical Application

Amos 1:11 serves as a powerful reminder that God takes seriously how we treat others, especially those with whom we share a close bond, whether family, community, or fellow humanity. Unchecked anger, persistent hatred, and a lack of compassion are grievous sins in God's eyes. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts for any long-held grudges or animosity and to cultivate mercy and reconciliation, recognizing that God is a righteous judge who holds all people accountable for their actions and attitudes.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Ezekiel 25:12 (10 votes)

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;

  • Ezekiel 25:14 (10 votes)

    And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 (7 votes)

    For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

  • Joel 3:19 (6 votes)

    Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence [against] the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

  • Jeremiah 49:7 (6 votes)

    ¶ Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; [Is] wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

  • Jeremiah 49:22 (6 votes)

    Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

  • Psalms 137:7 (6 votes)

    ¶ Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.