Amos 2
Berean Standard Bible Par ▾ 

Judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel

1This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of Moab, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,a

because he burned to lime

the bones of Edom’s king.

2So I will send fire against Moab

to consume the citadels of Kerioth.

Moab will die in tumult,

amid war cries and the sound of the ram’s horn.

3I will cut off the ruler of Moab

and kill all the officials with him,”

says the LORD.

4This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of Judah, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they reject the Law of the LORD

and fail to keep His statutes;

they are led astray by the lies

in which their fathers walked.

5So I will send fire upon Judah

to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.”

6This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of Israel, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they sell the righteous for silver

and the needy for a pair of sandals.

7They trample on the heads of the poor

as on the dust of the earth;

they push the needy out of their way.

A man and his father

have relations with the same girl

and so profane My holy name.

8They lie down beside every altar

on garments taken in pledge.

And in the house of their God,b

they drink wine obtained through fines.c

9Yet it was I who destroyed

the Amorite before them,

though his height was like that of the cedars,

and he was as strong as the oaks.

Yet I destroyed his fruit above

and his roots below.

10And I brought you up from the land of Egypt

and led you forty years in the wilderness,

that you might take possession

of the land of the Amorite.

11I raised up prophets from your sons

and Nazirites from your young men.

Is this not true,

O children of Israel?”

declares the LORD.

12“But you made the Nazirites drink wine

and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

13Behold, I am about to crush you in your place

as with a cart full of grain.

14Escape will fail the swift,

the strong will not prevail by his strength,

and the mighty will not save his life.

15The archer will not stand his ground,

the fleet of foot will not escape,

and the horseman will not save his life.

16Even the bravest of mighty men

will flee naked on that day,”

declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible.

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Amos 2 Summary
Judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel

Verses 1–3 – Judgment on Moab
Moab is condemned for a shocking act of vengeance: burning the bones of the king of Edom to lime. The LORD promises fire on Moab’s strongholds, uproar in Kerioth, the death of its ruler, and the destruction of officials. Divine justice will match the brutality of Moab’s sin.

Verses 4–5 – Judgment on Judah
Judah, covenant people in the south, is judged for rejecting the LORD’s law and following deceptive traditions. Fire will consume Judah’s cities, even the citadels of Jerusalem, because knowledge of God’s Word brings accountability.

Verses 6–16 – Judgment on Israel
Israel receives the longest, sharpest rebuke: selling the righteous for silver, crushing the poor for sandals, engaging in sexual immorality that profanes God’s name, and abusing pledges and fines at pagan altars. The LORD reminds them of past deliverance—defeating the Amorites, bringing Israel out of Egypt, sustaining them in the wilderness, and raising prophets and Nazirites—yet they silenced those voices. Judgment will be crushing and unavoidable: speed, strength, weapons, and courage will all fail; even the bravest will flee naked.


Amos 2 is a profound chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that foretells God's judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel due to their continuous disobedience and sinful acts. The chapter underscores the themes of divine judgment, social injustice, sin, and punishment, while also emphasizing the need for repentance.

Historical Background

• Amos prophesied c. 760 BC, during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel and Uzziah in Judah, a period of political stability and economic boom.

• Surrounding nations—Aram, Philistia, Phoenicia, Edom, Ammon, and Moab—had all felt Assyrian pressure, making Israel’s prosperity seem like divine favor; Amos exposes that illusion.

• The treaty system of the day encouraged retaliation and escalating violence; Amos insists the LORD, not regional politics, decides judgment.

Geographical and Archaeological Insights

• Moab occupied the high plateau east of the Dead Sea. Excavations at Dibon and Kerak (biblical Kerioth) reveal strong fortifications that fit Amos’s picture of citadels devoured by fire.

• The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BC) records Moabite victories over Israel and mentions burning cities, paralleling Amos’s focus on fire and Kerioth.

• Judah’s “citadels of Jerusalem” include the recently identified Large Stone Structure and other Iron II fortifications that would have stood in Amos’s day.

• Israel’s northern kingdom centered on Samaria. A recovered ostracon from Samaria lists wine and oil fines, echoing Amos 2:8 (“drink wine obtained through fines”).

Moab’s Crime and Its Significance

1. Desecration of human remains was viewed as the ultimate insult in the ancient Near East.

2. Burning bones to lime erased identity and memory—a direct assault on the dignity God grants every person (Genesis 1:27).

3. The king of Edom likely died in battle; Moab’s act was vengeance beyond accepted warfare codes, showing contempt for God-given human worth (cf. Psalm 8:5).

4. God’s response underscores that He holds even non-covenant nations accountable to basic moral law (Romans 2:14-15).

Judah’s Transgression: Rejecting the Law

• The indictment is entirely covenantal: “they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept His statutes” (v. 4).

• Instead of idolatrous violence like the surrounding nations, Judah’s failure is spiritual betrayal—abandoning God’s revealed Word (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

• Fire consuming Jerusalem foreshadows Babylon’s destruction in 586 BC (2 Kings 25), showing that privilege does not exempt from judgment.

Israel’s Injustice and Oppression

Key accusations (vv. 6-8):

• Economic exploitation: selling the needy “for a pair of sandals” (Exodus 22:25-27 forbids such abuse).

• Legal corruption: trampling the poor and denying justice (Isaiah 10:1-2 parallels).

• Sexual immorality: father and son with the same girl violates Leviticus 18:8, disrespects both women and the divine name.

• Religious hypocrisy: lounging on pledged garments and drinking wine from unjust fines at pagan altars violates Exodus 22:26-27 and reveals empty ritual.

Covenant Acts Recalled by God

1. Amorite defeat (v. 9) – mirrors Joshua 24:11-12; God fought for Israel.

2. Exodus deliverance (v. 10) – heart of Israel’s identity (Exodus 20:2).

3. Wilderness provision (v. 10) – forty years of daily evidence of grace (Deuteronomy 8:2-4).

4. Provision of prophets and Nazirites (v. 11) – channels of ongoing guidance (Numbers 6; 1 Samuel 1). Israel responded by silencing prophets (v. 12; cf. 1 Kings 22:27) and corrupting Nazirites’ vows.

Literary Structure and Rhetorical Devices

• “For three transgressions, even four” (vv. 1, 4, 6) is a Hebrew numerical parallelism; three shows fullness, four overflowing excess.

• The pattern builds suspense: six foreign nations, then Judah, then Israel—the listener nods until judgment turns inward.

• Vivid verbs—sell, trample, deny, lie down, drink—paint moral degradation.

• Rapid-fire negations (vv. 14-16) portray total helplessness.

New Testament Connections

• God’s impartial judgment: Romans 2:9-11 echoes Amos’s theme—Jew and Gentile alike face accountability.

• Oppression condemned: James 5:1-6 denounces the rich who exploit laborers; vocabulary and tone mirror Amos 2:6-7.

• Silencing truth-tellers: Stephen recalls Israel’s persecution of prophets (Acts 7:51-52).

• Sexual purity and honoring God’s name: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 reaffirms the principle violated in Amos 2:7.

Theological Themes

• Universal justice: The Creator judges all nations, not only covenant people.

• Accountability increases with revelation: Judah and Israel are punished more severely than Moab because they know God’s law.

• Social righteousness is inseparable from worship: treating people unjustly nullifies religious rituals (Micah 6:6-8).

• Divine memory: God recounts every act of grace and every rejected warning. Nothing is forgotten.

Practical Applications

• Value every human life; cruelty, whether personal or systemic, invites judgment.

• Cherish and obey Scripture; to know truth yet ignore it grieves God.

• Guard against exploiting the vulnerable—unfair wages, predatory lending, or legal loopholes mirror Israel’s sins.

• Honor God with personal purity; sexual behavior either magnifies or profanes His name.

• Listen to prophetic voices today—Scripture, faithful teachers, conscience enlightened by the Spirit.

Cross-References

Exodus 22:25-27 – pledges and treatment of the poor

Leviticus 18:8 – sexual boundaries within family

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 – wages and justice

Psalm 82:3-4 – defend the weak

Isaiah 10:1-2 – woe to unjust lawmakers

Hosea 4:6 – people destroyed for lack of knowledge

Matthew 25:40 – serving “the least of these”

1 Timothy 5:24 – sins that trail behind or go before to judgment

The message of Amos 2 remains clear: God’s holiness demands justice, faithfulness, and mercy from every nation and every heart.

Connections to Additional Scriptures
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
Teaching Points
Judgment on the Nations
Amos 2 begins with God's pronouncement of judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel. Each nation is held accountable for specific sins, highlighting God's impartiality and His concern for justice across all peoples (Amos 2:1-8).

God's Standards
The sins of Judah and Israel are particularly emphasized, as they had the Law and the prophets. Judah is condemned for rejecting God's law and not keeping His statutes, while Israel is rebuked for social injustices and immorality (Amos 2:4-8).

The Consequences of Sin
The chapter vividly describes the consequences of these transgressions, illustrating that God's patience has limits and that persistent sin leads to inevitable judgment (Amos 2:9-16).

God's Past Mercies
Despite the impending judgment, God reminds Israel of His past mercies, such as delivering them from Egypt and providing for them in the wilderness, underscoring their ingratitude and rebellion (Amos 2:9-11).
Practical Applications
Reflect on Personal and Social Justice
Evaluate areas in your life and community where justice and righteousness may be lacking. Consider how you can be an agent of change in these areas.

Adherence to God's Word
Like Judah, we must be diligent in keeping God's statutes and not be swayed by cultural or societal pressures that contradict His Word.

Gratitude for God's Mercies
Regularly remind yourself of God's past mercies and blessings in your life, fostering a heart of gratitude and obedience.

Repentance and Change
Recognize areas of sin and injustice in your life, and seek God's forgiveness and guidance to make necessary changes.
People
1. The People of Moab
The chapter begins with a pronouncement against Moab for their transgressions, specifically for burning the bones of the king of Edom into lime (Amos 2:1). The Moabites were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel.

2. The King of Edom
Although not directly named, the king of Edom is referenced as the one whose bones were burned by the Moabites (Amos 2:1). Edom, descended from Esau, was a neighboring nation often at odds with Israel.

3. The People of Judah
God pronounces judgment on Judah for rejecting His law and not keeping His statutes, being led astray by falsehoods (Amos 2:4). Judah represents the southern kingdom of the Israelites.

4. The People of Israel
The chapter also addresses the transgressions of Israel, including oppression of the poor and perversion of justice (Amos 2:6-8). Israel here refers to the northern kingdom.

In the original Hebrew, these groups are referred to with terms like "בְּנֵי מוֹאָב" (B'nei Moav) for the Moabites, "אֱדוֹם" (Edom) for Edom, "יְהוּדָה" (Yehudah) for Judah, and "יִשְׂרָאֵל" (Yisrael) for Israel. These names reflect their historical and cultural identities as understood in the biblical context.
Places
1. Moab
Moab is condemned for burning the bones of the king of Edom into lime. This act of desecration is seen as a grievous sin, and judgment is pronounced against Moab for this transgression.

2. Judah
Judah is rebuked for rejecting the law of the LORD and not keeping His statutes. Their lies, which led them astray, are highlighted as the reason for their impending judgment.

3. Israel
Israel faces condemnation for a series of social injustices, including oppressing the poor and denying justice to the oppressed. The sins of Israel are detailed extensively, highlighting their moral and spiritual failures.
Events
1. Judgment on Moab
"Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.'" (Amos 2:1)
The Hebrew word for "transgressions" is "פֶּשַׁע" (pesha), indicating rebellion or sin. Moab's sin was desecrating the dead, an act of extreme disrespect.

2. Destruction of Moab
"So I will send fire upon Moab, and it will consume the citadels of Kerioth; Moab will die in tumult, with a war cry and the sound of the trumpet." (Amos 2:2)
The term "Kerioth" refers to a city or cities in Moab, and the "fire" symbolizes divine judgment.

3. Judgment on Judah
"Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept His statutes. Their lies have led them astray, the lies after which their fathers walked.'" (Amos 2:4)
The Hebrew word for "law" is "תּוֹרָה" (torah), meaning instruction or teaching. Judah's sin was rejecting God's law and following falsehoods.

4. Destruction of Judah
"So I will send fire upon Judah, and it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem." (Amos 2:5)
The "fire" here again represents God's judgment, specifically targeting Jerusalem, the heart of Judah.

5. Judgment on Israel
"Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.'" (Amos 2:6)
Israel's sins include social injustice and exploitation, selling the innocent and poor for material gain.

6. Oppression and Immorality in Israel
"They trample the heads of the poor on the dust of the earth and deny justice to the oppressed. A man and his father have relations with the same girl, profaning My holy name." (Amos 2:7)
The Hebrew word for "profane" is "חָלַל" (chalal), meaning to defile or pollute, indicating moral corruption.

7. Idolatry and Corruption
"They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their god, they drink wine obtained through fines." (Amos 2:8)
This highlights Israel's idolatry and misuse of religious practices for personal gain.

8. God's Past Deliverance and Provision
"Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the cedars and whose strength was like the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below." (Amos 2:9)
God reminds Israel of His past acts of deliverance, emphasizing His power and faithfulness.

9. God's Choice of Israel
"And I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite." (Amos 2:10)
This recounts God's guidance and provision during the Exodus, underscoring Israel's chosen status.

10. Rejection of Prophets and Nazirites
"I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?' declares the LORD. 'But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.'" (Amos 2:11-12)
Israel's rejection of God's messengers and their corruption of the Nazirites, who were consecrated to God, is highlighted.

11. Imminent Judgment on Israel
"Behold, I am about to crush you in your place as a wagon full of sheaves crushes grain." (Amos 2:13)
The imagery of crushing signifies the severity of the impending judgment.

12. Inevitability of Judgment
"Flight will perish from the swift, the strong will not retain his strength, and the warrior will not save his life." (Amos 2:14)
This emphasizes that no one will escape God's judgment, regardless of their strength or speed.
Topics
1. Judgment on Moab (Amos 2:1-3)
The chapter begins with God's pronouncement of judgment on Moab for their transgressions, specifically for burning the bones of the king of Edom to lime. The Hebrew word for "transgressions" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha) implies a rebellion or breach of trust. The judgment includes the destruction of Moab's strongholds and the death of its leaders.

2. Judgment on Judah (Amos 2:4-5)
God declares judgment on Judah for rejecting His law and not keeping His statutes. The Hebrew word for "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah) refers to divine instruction or teaching. Their lies led them astray, following the false gods their ancestors followed. The consequence is fire upon Judah, consuming the fortresses of Jerusalem.

3. Judgment on Israel (Amos 2:6-16)
The longest section in this chapter addresses Israel's transgressions, including selling the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. The Hebrew word for "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tzaddik) denotes those who are just or in the right. Other sins include oppression of the poor, sexual immorality, and profaning God's holy name. God reminds Israel of His past deliverance and provision, yet they have corrupted the Nazarites and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. The chapter concludes with a vivid description of the impending judgment, emphasizing that none will escape.
Themes
1. Judgment on Moab
Amos 2:1-3 describes God's judgment on Moab for their transgressions, specifically for burning the bones of the king of Edom. This theme highlights the seriousness of disrespecting the dead and the divine retribution that follows. The Hebrew word for "transgressions" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha) indicates a willful rebellion against God's laws.

2. Judgment on Judah
In verses 4-5, God pronounces judgment on Judah for rejecting His law and not keeping His statutes. This theme underscores the importance of adherence to God's commandments and the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. The Hebrew term for "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah) signifies divine instruction and guidance.

3. Judgment on Israel
Verses 6-16 focus on Israel's transgressions, including social injustices, exploitation of the poor, and sexual immorality. This theme emphasizes God's concern for justice and righteousness, as well as the moral decay that results from ignoring His commands. The Hebrew word for "righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tzedakah) is central to understanding God's expectations for ethical behavior.

4. Social Injustice
The exploitation of the poor and the perversion of justice are highlighted in verses 6-7. This theme reflects God's condemnation of societal structures that oppress the vulnerable. The Hebrew root for "oppress" (עָשַׁק, ashaq) conveys the idea of defrauding or exploiting others.

5. Profaning God's Name
In verse 7, the text mentions how the actions of the Israelites profane God's holy name. This theme points to the importance of honoring God through righteous living. The Hebrew word for "profane" (חָלַל, chalal) means to defile or desecrate, indicating a deep disrespect for the divine.

6. Corruption and Immorality
Verses 7-8 describe acts of immorality and corruption, such as sexual immorality and the misuse of garments taken in pledge. This theme highlights the moral decline and ethical failures of the people. The Hebrew term for "immorality" (זָנָה, zanah) often refers to unfaithfulness and idolatry.

7. Divine Retribution
The chapter concludes with a description of the inevitable divine retribution that will come upon Israel (verses 13-16). This theme serves as a warning of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. The Hebrew concept of "retribution" (שִׁלֵּם, shillem) involves the idea of recompense or repayment for one's actions.
Answering Tough Questions
1. (Amos 2:1) How can the claim of Moab burning the king of Edom’s bones be verified historically or archeologically?

2. (Amos 2:4–5) Why does God’s judgment on Judah differ from judgments described in other prophetic books?

3. (Amos 2:6–7) Are there any historical records supporting the accusation that Israel sold the righteous for silver?

4. (Amos 2:8) How do we reconcile the practice of sharing pagan altars with strict laws against idolatry found elsewhere in the Old Testament?

5. (Amos 2:9–10) Is there any archaeological or scientific evidence to support the miraculous overthrow of the Amorites and the exodus narrative?

Bible Study Discussion Questions

1. How does God's judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel in Amos 2 inform your understanding of His character?

2. Why does God hold these nations accountable for their actions?

3. How does the theme of social injustice play out in this chapter, and what modern parallels can you draw?

4. How do the sins of Judah and Israel differ, and why might their punishments be different?

5. What specific sins does God highlight in this chapter, and why?

6. How does God's call for repentance manifest itself in this chapter?

7. How can you apply the lessons from Amos 2 in your daily life?

8. If you were living in Israel during this time, how would you have reacted to Amos's prophecy?

9. How do these prophecies relate to the broader message of the book of Amos?

10. How does the selling of the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals (verse 6) apply to modern forms of social injustice?

11. How should Christians respond to social injustice today based on the teachings in Amos 2?

12. How do the sins described in Amos 2 continue to manifest in our world today?

13. In what ways are you challenged to respond to the issues raised in Amos 2?

14. How might you have acted differently if you were a citizen of Judah or Israel?

15. How does Amos 2 influence your understanding of God's sovereignty?

16. How does this chapter reshape your perspective on the importance of living a righteous life?

17. If God were to send an Amos to our world today, what issues might He address?

18. How does the prophecy of Amos relate to the modern concept of accountability?

19. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid the sins that led to God's judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel?

20. Based on Amos 2, how should we react when we see injustice, and what role does faith play in that reaction?



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