Amos 4:3 You will go out through broken walls, each one straight ahead of her, and you will be cast out toward Harmon," declares the LORD.

◄ Amos 4:3 ►

New International Version
You will each go straight out through breaches in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
You will be led out through the ruins of the wall; you will be thrown from your fortresses,” says the LORD.

English Standard Version
And you shall go out through the breaches, each one straight ahead; and you shall be cast out into Harmon,” declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
You will go out through broken walls, each one straight ahead of her, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,” declares the LORD.

King James Bible
And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.

New King James Version
You will go out through broken walls, Each one straight ahead of her, And you will be cast into Harmon,” Says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
“You will go out through holes in the walls, One in front of the other, And you will be hurled to Harmon,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1995
“You will go out through breaches in the walls, Each one straight before her, And you will be cast to Harmon,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1977
“You will go out through breaches in the walls, Each one straight before her, And you will be cast to Harmon,” declares the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
And you will go out through breaches in the walls, Each one straight before her, And you will be cast to Harmon,” declares Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“And you shall go out through the breaches [made in the city wall], Every woman straight before her [unable to turn aside], And you shall be cast to Harmon,” Says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
You will go through breaches in the wall, each woman straight ahead, and you will be driven along toward Harmon. This is the LORD’s declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You will go through breaches in the wall, each woman straight ahead, and you will be driven along toward Harmon. This is the LORD’s declaration.

American Standard Version
And ye shall go out at the breaches, every one straight before her; and ye shall cast yourselves into Harmon, saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
You will be dragged through holes in your city walls, and you will be thrown toward Harmon. I, the LORD, have spoken!

English Revised Version
And ye shall go out at the breaches, every one straight before her; and ye shall cast yourselves into Harmon, saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Each of you will leave [the city] through breaks in the wall, one woman ahead of another. You will be thrown into a garbage dump. The LORD declares this.

Good News Translation
You will be dragged to the nearest break in the wall and thrown out."

International Standard Version
Each of you will go out through the breaches of the walls straight to Mt. Hermon," declares the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
You will go out through broken walls, each one straight ahead of her, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,” declares the LORD.

NET Bible
Each of you will go straight through the gaps in the walls; you will be thrown out toward Harmon." The LORD is speaking!

New Heart English Bible
You will go out at the breaks in the wall, everyone straight before her; and you will cast yourselves into Harmon," says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.

World English Bible
You will go out at the breaks in the wall, everyone straight before her; and you will cast yourselves into Harmon,” says Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And [by] breaches you go forth, "" A woman before her, "" And you have cast down the high place,” "" A declaration of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And by breaches ye go forth, A woman at that over-against her, And ye have cast down the high place, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye shall go forth at the breaches, a woman before her; and ye cast to the fortress, says Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall go out at the breaches one over against the other, and you shall be cast forth into Armon, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you will go out through the breaches, one over another, and you will be cast out into Harmon, says the Lord.

New American Bible
You shall go out through the breached walls one in front of the other, And you shall be exiled to Harmon— oracle of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Through breaches in the wall you shall leave, each one straight ahead; and you shall be flung out into Harmon, says the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And every woman shall run to the breach which is before her; and they shall be cast away to the mountain of Armenia, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And to the breach a woman shall run before her, and they shall be cast to the mountain of Armenia”, says LORD JEHOVAH

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And ye shall go out at the breaches, every one straight before her; And ye shall be cast into Harmon, Saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall be brought forth naked in the presence of each other; and ye shall be cast forth on the mountain Romman, saith the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Punishment Brings No Repentance
…2The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. 3You will go out through broken walls, each one straight ahead of her, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,” declares the LORD. 4“Go to Bethel and transgress; rebel even more at Gilgal! Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 2:19-21
Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. / In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. / They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

Jeremiah 15:2
If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’

Hosea 13:16
Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.

Ezekiel 12:12
And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land.

Micah 1:16
Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair in mourning for your precious children; make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for they will go from you into exile.

2 Kings 17:6
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

2 Kings 18:11
The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

Isaiah 39:6-7
The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Jeremiah 13:19
The cities of the Negev have been shut tight, and no one can open them. All Judah has been carried into exile, wholly taken captive.

Lamentations 1:3
Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress.

Matthew 24:16-18
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Luke 21:21-24
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. / How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. ...

Mark 13:14-16
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Revelation 6:15-17
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Revelation 18:4
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and you shall cast them into the palace, said the LORD.

ye shall go.

2 Kings 25:4
And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.

Ezekiel 12:5,12
Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby…

them into the palace.

2 Kings 7:7,8,15
Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life…

Isaiah 2:20
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

Isaiah 31:7
For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

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Amos 4

1. He reproves Israel for oppression,
4. for idolatry,
6. and for their incorrigibleness.

Berean Study Bible

You will go out
The phrase "You will go out" signifies a forced departure, often associated with exile or captivity. In the Hebrew context, the verb "go out" (יָצָא, yatsa) implies an involuntary movement, suggesting that the people of Israel will be driven out of their land due to their disobedience. Historically, this reflects the Assyrian conquest, where the Israelites were led away from their homes. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

through broken walls
"Through broken walls" paints a vivid picture of destruction and vulnerability. The Hebrew word for "broken" (פֶּרֶץ, peretz) indicates a breach or gap, often used in military contexts to describe a city under siege. Archaeological findings in ancient Israelite cities reveal walls that were breached during invasions, underscoring the historical reality of such events. Spiritually, this symbolizes the breakdown of moral and spiritual defenses when a society turns away from God.

each one straight ahead of her
This phrase suggests a chaotic and unorganized escape, with "each one" (אִישׁ, ish) indicating individual movement without collective direction. The imagery of going "straight ahead" (נֶגֶד, neged) implies a lack of guidance or leadership, reflecting the spiritual disarray of Israel. In a broader sense, it warns of the dangers of individualism and the absence of communal faith and accountability.

and you will be cast out
The phrase "and you will be cast out" conveys a sense of rejection and expulsion. The Hebrew verb "cast out" (שָׁלַךְ, shalak) is often used to describe being thrown away or discarded. This reflects God's judgment upon Israel for their persistent idolatry and injustice. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of forsaking God's covenant and the importance of repentance and obedience.

toward Harmon
The term "Harmon" is somewhat enigmatic, as it does not appear elsewhere in the Bible. Some scholars suggest it may refer to a location associated with exile or destruction, possibly a variant of "Hermon" or a symbolic name. The uncertainty of its exact meaning adds to the ominous tone of the prophecy, emphasizing the unknown and perilous future awaiting those who defy God. It highlights the seriousness of divine judgment and the need for spiritual vigilance.

declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" (נְאֻם יְהוָה, ne'um YHWH) is a solemn affirmation of divine authority. It underscores that the message is not merely the prophet's words but a direct pronouncement from God Himself. This authoritative declaration serves as a final, unassailable confirmation of the impending judgment, reminding believers of the ultimate sovereignty and justice of the Lord. It calls for reverence, humility, and a return to faithful obedience.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Every cow . . .--Render each one (ref. to the women, Amos 4:1) straight before her. The enemy shall have broken down the city's defences, and the women shall tamely go forth through the breaches into captivity. The next clause is very obscure. It is best to take the verb as passive, Ye shall be thrown out. The word that follows is rendered "the palace" by the E.V. with Kimchi and other authorities, under the assumption that the Heb. harmon is another form of the word elsewhere used in Amos armon. But this is mere guess-work, and yields no good sense. It would be better to adopt a slight emendation of our text, and treat the obscure word as a proper name (LXX., Targ., Syr., Vulg.). Many commentators (Michaelis, G. Baur, De Wette) follow the Targ. and Syr. and render "Ye shall be cast out to the mountains of Armenia" (their place of banishment). For further information see Excursus.

EXCURSUS A (Amos 4:3).

The rendering of the LXX., "to the mountain Remman (or Romman)," has suggested to Ewald the interpretation, And shall cast Rimmona to the mountain, i.e., in their flight (comp. Isaiah 2:18-21), Rimmona being the idol-goddess of love, corresponding to the masculine deity Rimmon (2Kings 5:18). In this ingenious, though somewhat far-fetched, interpretation of a difficult passage, it will be observed that Ewald takes the Hebrew verb as an active, and not a passive. In this he is supported by most MSS.

But the credit of suggesting the most plausible explanation belongs to Hitzig, who, in his commentary, proposes to read Hadad-Rimmon, and translates, Ye shall be cast away to Hadad-Rimmon. On Zechariah 12:11, there is a long note by Steiner supporting the supposition that Hadad-Rimmon was a modified designation of the sun-god, and was likewise the counterpart of the Greek Adonis, over whose wounding and death there was an annual lamentation, in which the women took part, and gave way to all kinds of excess. Hadad-Rimmon was, therefore, the name of the deity and the locality of his worship (comp. Ashtaroth Karnaim and other examples), now called Rummane, four miles south of Ledsh-n (Megiddo). To this spot the women were to be carried off for purposes of prostitution. (Comp. the threat pronounced by the prophet, Amos 7:17.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - At the breaches made in the city walls, as cattle hurry through gaps in a fence. Thus they should go forth when Samaria was taken. Every cow at that which is before her; better, each straight before her, just where the opening offered itself (comp. Joshua 6:5, 20). The LXX. inserts γυμναί, "naked." And ye shall cast them into the palace; Septuagint, Καὶ ἀποῥῤιφήσεσθε εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Ῥομμάν, ( ῾ρεμμάν, Alex.), "And ye shall be cast forth into the mountain Romman; Vulgate, et projiciemini in Armon. The Syriac and Arabic Versions, and Aquila, render, "unto Mount Armon;" the Chaldee paraphrast, "far beyond the mountains of Armenia." The Hebrew expression haharmonah occurs nowhere else. Our version takes it in the sense of armon, "a palace," intending probably a palace or citadel of the enemy, which certainly ought to have been expressed. Kimchi renders, "Ye shall cast yourselves into the palace of the king." The passage is probably corrupt. If the verb is taken as passive, the unusual word must be considered to denote the place of banishment. Thus, "Ye shall be cast forth into Harmon." Whether Harmon means Armenia, as many ancient commentators thought, or not, cannot be determined. Various opinions may be seen in Keil, Schegg, Trochon, and others; but the simplest explanation is that of Orelli and Ewald, viz. that each fugitive shall fling away her idol Rimmona (the wife of the god Rimmon, 2 Kings 5:18), in order to be more free for flight (comp. Isaiah 2:20).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You will go out
תֵּצֶ֖אנָה (tê·ṣe·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

[through] broken [walls],
וּפְרָצִ֥ים (ū·p̄ə·rā·ṣîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6556: A bursting forth, breach

each one
אִשָּׁ֣ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

straight ahead of her,
נֶגְדָּ֑הּ (neḡ·dāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

and you will be cast out
וְהִשְׁלַכְתֶּ֥נָה (wə·hiš·laḵ·te·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine plural
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

toward Harmon,”
הַהַרְמ֖וֹנָה (ha·har·mō·w·nāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2038: Harmon -- a castle

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

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 4:3 You will go out at the breaks (Amo. Am)