Amos 1:11
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: “The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords, showing them no mercy. In their rage, they slashed them continually and were unrelenting in their anger.

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, And cast off all pity; His anger tore perpetually, And he kept his wrath forever.

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “For three offenses of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword And stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever.

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD, “For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever.

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD, “For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh, “For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not turn back its punishment Because he pursued his brother with the sword While he corrupted his compassion; And his anger also tore continually, And he kept his wrath forever.

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, “For three transgressions of Edom [the descendants of Esau] and for four (multiplied delinquencies) I will not reverse its punishment or revoke My word concerning it, Because he pursued his brother Jacob (Israel) with the sword, Corrupting and stifling his compassions and casting off all mercy; His destructive anger raged continually, And he maintained [and nurtured] his wrath forever.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD says: I will not relent from punishing Edom for three crimes, even four, because he pursued his brother with the sword. He stifled his compassion, his anger tore at him continually, and he harbored his rage incessantly.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD says: I will not relent from punishing Edom for three crimes, even four, because he pursued his brother with the sword. He stifled his compassion, his anger tore at them continually, and he harbored his rage incessantly.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said: I will punish Edom for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They killed their own relatives and were so terribly furious that they showed no mercy.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD: 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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Because Edom has committed three crimes, and now a fourth crime, I will not change my plans. The Edomites pursued their relatives with swords. They refused to show any compassion to them. Their anger was unstoppable. They refused to control their fury.

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and for this I will certainly punish them. They hunted down their relatives, the Israelites, and showed them no mercy. Their anger had no limits, and they never let it die.

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Edom —and now for a fourth— I will not turn away; because he pursued his brother with a sword, refusing to be compassionate. His anger was raging continuously; he kept up his unending wrath.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
This is what the LORD says: "Because Edom has committed three crimes--make that four!--I will not revoke my decree of judgment. He chased his brother with a sword; he wiped out his allies. In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest; in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity, and his anger raged continually, and he kept his wrath forever;

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment: because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

World English Bible
Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Edom, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger raged continually, and he kept his wrath forever;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH: “For three transgressions of Edom, "" And for four, I do not reverse it, "" Because of his pursuing his brother with a sword, "" And he has destroyed his mercies, "" And his anger tears continuously, "" And his wrath—he has kept it forever,

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: For three transgressions of Edom, And for four, I do not reverse it, Because of his pursuing with a sword his brother, And he hath destroyed his mercies, And tear perpetually doth his anger, And his wrath -- he hath kept it for ever,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn it back: for his pursuing his brother with the sword, and he destroyed his compassions, and his anger will rend forever, and his wrath was observed perpetually.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: For three crimes of Edom, and for four I will not convert him: because he hath pursued his brother with the sword, and hath cast off all pity, and hath carried on his fury, and hath kept his wrath to the end.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: For three wicked deeds of Edom, and for four, I will not convert him, in so far as he has been pursuing his brother with the sword and has outraged his brother’s compassion, and he has gone beyond his anger and has held onto his indignation until the end.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of Edom, and now four— I will not take it back— Because he pursued his brother with the sword, suppressing all pity, Persisting in his anger, his wrath raging without end,

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity; he maintained his anger perpetually, and kept his wrath forever.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says 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 he kept his anger perpetually and he kept his wrath for ever;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: for three crimes of Edom, and for the fourth, I shall not turn from them, because he persecuted his brother by the sword, and he destroyed his friends and he keeps his passion for eternity and his anger he keeps for eternities
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD: For three transgressions of Edom, yea, for four, I will not reverse it: 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord; For three sins of Idumea, and for four, I will not turn away from them; because they pursued their brother with the sword, and destroyed the mother upon the earth, and summoned up his anger for a testimony, and kept up his fury to the end.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment on Israel's Neighbors
10So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.” 11This 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. 12So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”…

Cross References
Obadiah 1:10-14
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. ...

Genesis 27:41
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Ezekiel 25:12-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Isaiah 34:5-8
When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. / And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat. ...

Jeremiah 49:7-22
Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? / Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him. / If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted? ...

Malachi 1:2-4
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” / Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.

Psalm 137:7
Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!”

2 Chronicles 28:17
The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away captives.

Numbers 20:14-21
From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. ...

Deuteronomy 23:7
Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.

Matthew 5:43-44
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ / But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:19-21
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Hebrews 12:14-15
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. / See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said 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:

Edom.

Isaiah 21:11,12
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? …

Isaiah 34:1-17
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it…

Isaiah 63:1-7
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save…

because.

Genesis 27:40,41
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck…

Numbers 20:14-21
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: …

Deuteronomy 2:4-8
And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: …

did cast off all pity.

Psalm 85:5
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Isaiah 57:16
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

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Anger Cast Continually Edom Forever Four Kept Perpetually Pity Punishment Pursue Pursued Raged Reverse Sword Tear Thereof Three Transgressions Turn Wrath
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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.














This is what the LORD says
This phrase introduces a divine oracle, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, underscoring His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction sets the tone for a message that is not merely a human opinion but a divine decree, demanding attention and reverence.

For three transgressions of Edom, even for four
This expression is a Hebrew idiom used to indicate a fullness or completeness of sin. The number three signifies completeness, and adding "even for four" intensifies the idea, suggesting an overflow of iniquity. Edom, descendants of Esau, are historically known for their enmity with Israel, descendants of Jacob. This phrase highlights the persistent and escalating nature of Edom's sins against their kin.

I will not revoke My wrath
The Hebrew root for "revoke" implies a sense of turning back or relenting. God's decision to not revoke His wrath indicates a settled judgment. It reflects His justice and righteousness, as He cannot overlook sin. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of divine judgment when repentance is absent.

because he pursued his brother with the sword
The term "brother" refers to the close kinship between Edom (Esau) and Israel (Jacob). The use of "sword" symbolizes violence and warfare. Historically, Edom's hostility towards Israel is well-documented, and this phrase underscores the betrayal and aggression against familial bonds, which God finds particularly grievous.

stifling all compassion
The Hebrew word for "compassion" is often associated with mercy and tender love. To "stifle" compassion indicates a deliberate suppression of natural affection and empathy. This phrase highlights the moral decay in Edom, as they chose cruelty over compassion, violating the ethical expectations of kinship and humanity.

his anger raged continually
The word "raged" conveys a sense of intense, uncontrolled emotion. The adverb "continually" suggests a persistent, unrelenting state. This phrase paints a picture of Edom's enduring hostility and bitterness, which fueled their actions against Israel. It serves as a warning against allowing anger to take root and grow unchecked.

and his fury flamed incessantly
"Fury" denotes a fierce, burning wrath, and "flamed" evokes imagery of a consuming fire. The term "incessantly" implies an unending, relentless nature. This phrase emphasizes the destructive power of unchecked rage and the consuming nature of sin. It serves as a cautionary tale of how harboring anger can lead to one's downfall and divine judgment.

CURSE ON EDOM.

(11) Edom.--Comp. the prophecy of Obadiah and Isaiah 34:5. See also Dict. of the Bible, art. "Edom." All through their history Edom sided with the enemies of Israel. (Comp. 1Samuel 14:47; 2Samuel 8:14; Psalm 60:9; and 2Chronicles 21:8-10.) . . .

Verses 11, 12. - The judgment on Edom. Verse 11. - His brother. The prophet proceeds to denounce the three nations cognate to Israel, of which the Edomites were the nearest and the most inimical. From the time of Esau until now they had been consistent in enmity, and it is this unbrotherly conduct rather than any specific outrages which Amos here condemns. Edom is accused of relentless persecution, inhumanity, savage fury, and persistent anger. (For the brotherhood of Edom, see Numbers 20:14; Deuteronomy 2:4, 5, 8; Deuteronomy 23:7, etc. For his hostility to Israel, see Numbers 20:18; 1 Kings 11:14; 2 Kings 8:20; 2 Chronicles 20:10; 2 Chronicles 25:11, 12; 2 Chronicles 28:17.) The prophecy of Obadiah is directed against Edom (comp. also Ezekiel 25:12; Ezekiel 35:5, 15; Joel 3:19). Did cast off all pity; literally, corrupted his compassions; i.e. did violence to his natural feelings. So Ezekiel 28:17, "Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom," perverted it from its proper end. The LXX. gives, ἐλυμήνατο μητέρα (μήτραν, Alex.) ἐπὶ γῆς, "did violence to the mother that bare them." On this Jerome remarks, "Pro misericordia Septuaginta vulvam transtulerant, ducti ambiguitate verborum, quia rehem et vulvam et misericordiam significat." Did tear, as a wild beast tears his prey. So in Job 16:9, where the same word is used, "He hath torn me in his wrath" (comp. Hosea 6:1). And he kept his wrath forever; more literally, and its fury it (Edom) keeps forever. The quarrels of relations are proverbially bitter. Arist., 'Polit.,' 7:7, Ὅθεν εἴρηται χαλεποὶ γὰρ πόλεμοι ἀδελφῶν καὶ δί τοι πέρα στέρξαντες οἱ δὲ καὶ πέρα μισοῦσιν (p. 193, Bekk.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

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

“For
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

three
שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

transgressions
פִּשְׁעֵ֣י (piš·‘ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6588: Transgression

of Edom,
אֱד֔וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

even
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

four,
אַרְבָּעָ֖ה (’ar·bā·‘āh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 702: Four

I will not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

revoke [My judgment],
אֲשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ (’ă·šî·ḇen·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

because
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

he pursued
רָדְפ֨וֹ (rā·ḏə·p̄ōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

his brother
אָחִיו֙ (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

with the sword
בַחֶ֤רֶב (ḇa·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and stifled
וְשִׁחֵ֣ת (wə·ši·ḥêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

all compassion;
רַחֲמָ֔יו (ra·ḥă·māw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden

his anger
אַפּ֔וֹ (’ap·pōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

raged
וַיִּטְרֹ֤ף (way·yiṭ·rōp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2963: To pluck off, pull to pieces, to supply with food

continually,
לָעַד֙ (lā·‘aḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5703: A, terminus, duration, advance, perpetuity

and his fury
וְעֶבְרָת֖וֹ (wə·‘eḇ·rā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5678: Overflow, arrogance, fury

flamed
שְׁמָ֥רָה (šə·mā·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

incessantly.
נֶֽצַח׃ (ne·ṣaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5331: Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity


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OT Prophets: Amos 1:11 Thus says Yahweh: For three transgressions (Amo. Am)
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