Amos 1:5 I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir," says the LORD.

◄ Amos 1:5 ►

New International Version
I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,” says the LORD.

New Living Translation
I will break down the gates of Damascus and slaughter the people in the valley of Aven. I will destroy the ruler in Beth-eden, and the people of Aram will go as captives to Kir,” says the LORD.

English Standard Version
I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,” says the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

King James Bible
I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

New King James Version
I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, And the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir,” Says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
“I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, And eliminate every inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, As well as him who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden; So the people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” Says the LORD.

NASB 1995
“I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, And him who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden; So the people of Aram will go exiled to Kir,” Says the LORD.

NASB 1977
“I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, And him who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden; So the people of Aram will go exiled to Kir,” Says the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
I will also break the gate bar of Damascus And cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven And him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; So the people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,” Says Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“I also will break the bar [of the gate] of Damascus, And cut off and destroy the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven (Wickedness), And the ruler who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden (Damascus); And the people of Aram [conquered by the Assyrians] will go into exile to Kir,” Says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
I will break down the gates of Damascus. I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven, and the one who wields the scepter from Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir. The LORD has spoken.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will break down the gates of Damascus. I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven, and the one who wields the scepter from Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir. The LORD has spoken.

American Standard Version
And I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
I will break through the gates of Damascus. I will destroy the people of Wicked Valley and the ruler of Beth-Eden. Then the Syrians will be dragged as prisoners to Kir. I, the LORD, have spoken!

English Revised Version
And I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will break the bars [on the gates] of Damascus. I will cut off those living in Aven Valley and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into captivity at Kir. The LORD has said this.

Good News Translation
I will smash the city gates of Damascus and remove the inhabitants of Aven Valley and the ruler of Betheden. The people of Syria will be taken away as prisoners to the land of Kir."

International Standard Version
I will shatter the gate bars of Damascus, and I will cut off the residents of the Aven Valley, along with the one who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Aram will be exiled to Kir," says the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,? says the LORD.

NET Bible
I will break the bar on the gate of Damascus. I will remove the ruler from Wicked Valley, the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Aram will be deported to Kir." The LORD has spoken!

New Heart English Bible
I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Wickedness, and him who holds the scepter from Beth Eden; and the people of Aram shall go into captivity to Kir," says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the scepter from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir, saith the LORD.

World English Bible
I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir,” says Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I have broken the bar of Damascus, "" And cut off the inhabitant from Bikat-Aven, "" And a holder of a scepter from Beth-Eden, "" And the people of Aram have been removed to Kir,” said YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And I have broken the bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from Bikat-Aven, And a holder of a sceptre from Beth-Eden, And removed have been the people of Aram to Kir, said Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I broke the bar of Damascus, and I cut off the inhabitants of the valleys of vanity, and him taking hold of the rod of the house of delight: and the people of Aram were carried away captive to a walled place said Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will break the bar of Damascus: and I will cut off the inhabitants from the plain of the idol, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of pleasure: and the people of Syria shall be carried away to Cyrene, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will shatter the crowbar of Damascus, and I will destroy the inhabitants of the camp of the idol and the holder of the scepter of the house of pleasure; and the people of Syria will be transferred to Cyrene, says the Lord.

New American Bible
I will break the barred gate of Damascus; From the Valley of Aven I will cut off the one enthroned, And the sceptered ruler from Beth-eden; the people of Aram shall be exiled to Kir, says the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
I will break the gate bars of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and the one who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Aram shall go into exile to Kir, says the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
I will break also the bars of Damascus and cut off the inhabitants from the plain of Aon and him that holds the sceptre from the house of Eden; and the people of Aram shall go into captivity to Kir, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall break the bars of Darmsuq and I shall destroy the inhabitant from the valley of Awan and hold the scepter of Bayth Eden, and the people of Aram shall be led captive to Qir, says LORD JEHOVAH

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from Bikath-Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Beth-eden; and the people of Aram shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will break to pieces the bars of Damascus, and will destroy the inhabitants out of the plain of On, and will cut in pieces a tribe out of the men of Charrhan: and the famous people of Syria shall be led captive, saith the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Judgment on Israel's Neighbors
…4So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. 5I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD. 6This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 17:1-3
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. / The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. / The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Jeremiah 49:23-27
Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed. / Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor. / How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy? ...

Ezekiel 27:16-18
Aram was your customer because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your wares. / Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith, cakes and honey, oil and balm for your merchandise. / Because of your many products and your great wealth of goods, Damascus traded with you wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar,

Zechariah 9:1-2
This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place—for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD— / and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.

Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.

Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”

Isaiah 10:9
“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

Jeremiah 48:41
Kirioth has been taken, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

Jeremiah 50:30
Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets, and all her warriors will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 26:15-18
This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: ‘Will not the coastlands quake at the sound of your downfall, when the wounded groan at the slaughter in your midst? / All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you. / Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! ...

Matthew 11:21-22
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Luke 10:13-14
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Acts 22:5
as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

Treasury of Scripture

I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holds the scepter from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir, said the LORD.

break.

Isaiah 43:14
Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

Jeremiah 50:36
A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.

Jeremiah 51:30
The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.

the plain of Aven.

the house of Eden.

the people.

Amos 9:7
Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

2 Kings 16:9
And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

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Aram Aven Bar Break Captivity Cut Damascus Destroy Eden Exile Exiled Gate Holdeth Holds House Inhabitant Inhabitants Kir Plain Scepter Sceptre Syria Valley

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Aram Aven Bar Break Captivity Cut Damascus Destroy Eden Exile Exiled Gate Holdeth Holds House Inhabitant Inhabitants Kir Plain Scepter Sceptre Syria Valley

Amos 1

1. The time when Amos prophesied.
3. He shows God's judgment upon Syria,
6. upon the Philistines,
9. upon Tyrus,
11. upon Edom,
13. upon Ammon.

Berean Study Bible

I will break down the gate of Damascus
The phrase "I will break down" signifies a decisive act of divine judgment. The Hebrew root word for "break down" is "שָׁבַר" (shabar), which conveys the idea of shattering or demolishing. This indicates not just a physical destruction but a complete dismantling of power and security. Damascus, the capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), was a fortified city, and its "gate" symbolizes its strength and defenses. Historically, gates were crucial for a city's protection and commerce, and breaking them down implies a total vulnerability and defeat.

I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven
The term "cut off" comes from the Hebrew "כָּרַת" (karath), meaning to sever or destroy. This denotes the removal of leadership and authority. The "Valley of Aven" is often identified with a place of idolatry, as "Aven" means "wickedness" or "iniquity" in Hebrew. This suggests that the judgment is not only political but also spiritual, targeting the corrupt and idolatrous practices of the region. The ruler's removal signifies the end of an era of moral and spiritual corruption.

and the one who holds the scepter in Beth-eden
The "scepter" is a symbol of royal authority and governance. The Hebrew word "שֵׁבֶט" (shevet) can mean both a rod and a tribe, indicating leadership and control. "Beth-eden" translates to "house of pleasure" or "house of delight," possibly referring to a region known for its prosperity and luxury. The judgment here is against those who misuse their power for personal gain and indulgence, highlighting God's disdain for leaders who prioritize wealth and pleasure over justice and righteousness.

The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir
"Exile" is a significant theme in the Bible, often representing divine punishment and a call to repentance. The Hebrew word "גָּלָה" (galah) means to uncover or remove, indicating a forced displacement. "Aram" refers to the Arameans, a powerful group in the ancient Near East. "Kir" is believed to be a region in Mesopotamia, possibly the original homeland of the Arameans. This return to Kir symbolizes a reversal of fortunes and a humbling of the nation, as they are taken from their land of power back to their origins.

says the LORD
This phrase underscores the authority and certainty of the prophecy. "LORD" in Hebrew is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. The declaration "says the LORD" assures that the prophecy is not merely a human prediction but a divine decree. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over nations and history, and His commitment to justice and righteousness.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) I will break . . .--The "bar" means the bolt of iron or brass with which the city was defended. But it is possible that it may be used of persons, i.e., princes or leaders (comp. Hosea 4:18; Hosea 11:6); and this seems confirmed by the parallelism. The plain or valley cleft between Libanus and Antilibanus is still called by the Arabs by a name closely resembling the rendering in the margin, "the valley." It is probable that the word rendered "vanity," (aven) is simply a Masoretic reading, and not what Amos intended. It is better to follow the LXX. and read the word On (as in Ezekiel 30:17), the reference being to the Temple of Baalbec, then in ruins, the Syrian Heliopolis. (Comp. Hosea 4:15.)[16] The site of Beth-eden (house of Eden) cannot be satisfactorily determined. Kir is the region of the river Cyrus, or, perhaps, the E. of the Upper Euphrates (see Amos 9:7). (2Kings 16:9, we see fulfilment of this doom.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - The bar which secured the gate of the city (1 Kings 4:13; Jeremiah 51:30; Nahum 3:13). Breaking the bar is equivalent to laying the place open to the enemy. From the plain of Avon; Vulgate, de campo idoli; Hebrew, bikath-Aven; Septuagint, ἐκ πεδίου Ων; better, from the valley of Aven, or vanity, perhaps so called analogously with Hosea's naming Bethel, Bethaven, "House of God" and "House of vanity" (Hosea 5:8). Robinson ('Bibl. Res.,' 677) and Pusey refer the name to a valley between Lebanon and Antilibanus, a continuation of the Arabah, still called Bukaa, in the middle of which stood Baalbec, "the Temple of the sun of the valley," called Heliopolis by Greek and Roman writers (see 'Classical Museum,' 3:136). The LXX. Renders "On" in Genesis 41:45 by "Heliopolis;" and On and Baal being both titles of the sun, and indeed synonymous, the introduction of "On" into this passage may be accounted for. Him that holdeth the sceptre. The king and princes, as ver. 8. From the house of Eden; Hebrew, Beth-Eden, "House of delight;" Vulgate, de domo voluptatis; Septuagint, ἐξ ἀνδρῶν Ξαῥῤάν, "out of the men of Charran." This last rendering arises from considering that the reference was to the Eden of Genesis 2, which the translators placed in the region of Haran. The place in the text Keil supposes to be the Paradisus of the Greeks, which Ptolemy (5:15, 20) locates southeast of Laodicea. Schrader suggests a place on the banks of the middle Euphrates between Balis and Biredschich called Bit-Adini in inscriptions of Asurnasirhabal and Salmanassur II. But this seems to be a wrong locality (see 'Die Keilinschriften,' p. 327). The passage means that all the inhabitants of valley and city, king and peasant, shall be cut off. Shall go into captivity. The word implies that the land shall be "stripped" or "bared" of its inhabitants. Wholesale deportation had not hitherto been common in these regions. Kir has been identified with the country on the banks of the river Kar, which flows into the Araxes on the southwest of the Caspian Sea. It forms part of the territory known as Transcaucasia. From this region the Syrians originally emigrated (Amos 9:7), and back to this land a large body were carried when Tiglath-Pileser, some fifty years later, killed Rezin and sacked Damascus, as related in 2 Kings 16:9. Saith the Lord. This is the solemn confirmation of the prophet's announcement, and recurs in vers. 8, 15 and Amos 2:3.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I will break down
וְשָֽׁבַרְתִּי֙ (wə·šā·ḇar·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

the gates
בְּרִ֣יחַ (bə·rî·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1280: A bolt

of Damascus
דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק (dam·me·śeq)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)

and cut off
וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י (wə·hiḵ·rat·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the ruler
יוֹשֵׁב֙ (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of the Valley of Aven
מִבִּקְעַת־ (mib·biq·‘aṯ-)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1237: A split, a wide level valley between mountains

and him who wields
וְתוֹמֵ֥ךְ (wə·ṯō·w·mêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8551: To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close

the scepter
שֵׁ֖בֶט (šê·ḇeṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

from
מִבֵּ֣ית (mib·bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

Beth-eden.
עֶ֑דֶן (‘e·ḏen)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5730: A luxury, dainty, delight

The people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of Aram
אֲרָ֛ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

will be exiled
וְגָל֧וּ (wə·ḡā·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

to Kir,”
קִ֖ירָה (qî·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7024: Kir -- 'wall', a city in Moab

says
אָמַ֥ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Prophets: Amos 1:5 I will break the bar of Damascus (Amo. Am)