Amos 1:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Tyre is charged with the same slave-trading as Gaza, made worse by its betrayal of a covenant of friendship.
What Does Amos 1:9 Mean?
Tyre, the great trading city, also handed whole communities into slavery. But its guilt carries an added weight: it "remembered not the brotherly covenant," the bond of friendship that had long existed between Tyre and Israel since the days of Hiram and David.
To break faith with a friend, to profit from the betrayal of those to whom one owed loyalty, is a sin God takes seriously. Covenants and promises are sacred because the Lord Himself is faithful. When we forget our pledged loyalty for the sake of gain, we offend not only our neighbor but heaven. This verse calls every reader to be a keeper of covenants in a world quick to break them.
Amos 1:9 in the Original Language
berit (בְּרִית), 'covenant' -- a binding bond of loyalty, here a treaty of brotherhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos 1:9
What does Amos 1:9 mean?
Tyre is charged with the same slave-trading as Gaza, made worse by its betrayal of a covenant of friendship.