Amos 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God will shatter Damascus's defenses, remove its rulers, and send the Syrian people into exile back to Kir, the land from which they came.
What Does Amos 1:5 Mean?
The "bar" was the heavy beam that locked a city gate; to break it is to leave the city defenseless. The Lord names the valleys and ruling houses of Syria and declares their scepter, their authority, will be cut off, with the people carried to Kir.
There is irony in the destination: Kir was where the Syrians had originally come from, so their judgment returns them to their beginning, undone. Human authority is held only on loan. The hand that grips the scepter today can be emptied tomorrow. This humbling reminds every reader that pride in national strength is fragile, and that the Lord alone holds a kingdom that cannot be broken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos 1:5
What does Amos 1:5 mean?
God will shatter Damascus's defenses, remove its rulers, and send the Syrian people into exile back to Kir, the land from which they came.