Amos 5:3
New International Version
This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Israel: “Your city that marches out a thousand strong will have only a hundred left; your town that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left.”

New Living Translation
The Sovereign LORD says: “When a city sends a thousand men to battle, only a hundred will return. When a town sends a hundred, only ten will come back alive.”

English Standard Version
For thus says the Lord GOD: “The city that went out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went out a hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will only see a hundred return, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.”

King James Bible
For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.

New King James Version
For thus says the Lord GOD: “The city that goes out by a thousand Shall have a hundred left, And that which goes out by a hundred Shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”

New American Standard Bible
For this is what the Lord GOD says: “The city which goes forth a thousand strong Will have a hundred left, And the one which goes forth a hundred strong Will have ten left to the house of Israel.”

NASB 1995
For thus says the Lord GOD, “The city which goes forth a thousand strong Will have a hundred left, And the one which goes forth a hundred strong Will have ten left to the house of Israel.”

NASB 1977
For thus says the Lord GOD, “The city which goes forth a thousand strong Will have a hundred left, And the one which goes forth a hundred strong Will have ten left to the house of Israel.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For thus says Lord Yahweh, “The city which goes forth one thousand strong Will have one hundred left, And the one which goes forth one hundred strong Will have ten left to the house of Israel.”

Amplified Bible
For thus says the Lord GOD, “The city which goes forth a thousand strong Will have a hundred left, And the one which goes forth a hundred strong Will have ten left to the house of Israel.”

Christian Standard Bible
For the Lord GOD says: The city that marches out a thousand strong will have only a hundred left, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left in the house of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the Lord GOD says: The city that marches out a thousand strong will have only a hundred left, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left in the house of Israel.

American Standard Version
For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred shall have ten left, to the house of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD God has warned, "From every ten soldiers only one will be left; from a thousand troops, only a hundred will survive."

English Revised Version
For thus saith the Lord GOD: The city that went forth a thousand shall have an hundred left, and that which went forth an hundred shall have ten left, to the house of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the Almighty LORD says: The city that sends 1,000 troops off to war will have [only] 100 left. The one that sends 100 troops off to war will have [only] 10 left for the nation of Israel.

Good News Translation
The Sovereign LORD says, "A city in Israel sends out a thousand soldiers, but only a hundred return; another city sends out a hundred, but only ten come back."

International Standard Version
"For this is what the Lord GOD says: 'The city that is sending out a thousand will have a hundred left; The city that is sending out a hundred will have ten left of the house of Israel.'"

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will only see a hundred return, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.”

NET Bible
The sovereign LORD says this: "The city that marches out with a thousand soldiers will have only a hundred left; the town that marches out with a hundred soldiers will have only ten left for the family of Israel."

New Heart English Bible
For thus says the LORD: "The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth one hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel."

Webster's Bible Translation
For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave a hundred, and that which went forth by a hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.

World English Bible
For the Lord Yahweh says: “The city that went out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went out one hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For thus said Lord YHWH: “The city that is going out one thousand, "" Leaves one hundred, "" And that which is going out one hundred, "" Leaves ten to the house of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation
For thus said the Lord Jehovah: The city that is going out a thousand, Doth leave an hundred, And that which is going out an hundred, Doth leave ten to the house of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
For thus said the Lord Jehovah: The city going out a thousand shall leave an hundred, and going out a hundred shall leave ten to the house of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For thus saith the Lord God: The city, out of which came forth a thousand, there shall be left in it a hundred: and out of which there came a hundred, there shall be left in it ten, in the house of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For thus says the Lord God: In the city from which a thousand departed, a hundred will remain, and in that from which a hundred departed, ten will remain, in the house of Israel.

New American Bible
For thus says the Lord GOD to the house of Israel: The city that marched out with a thousand shall be left with a hundred, Another that marched out with a hundred shall be left with ten.

New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the Lord GOD: The city that marched out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which marched out a hundred shall have ten left.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD God: The city out of which went forth a thousand men, there shall be left in it a hundred men; and that out of which went forth a hundred men, there shall be left in it ten men to the house of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because thus says The Lord of Lords: the city from which they have been going out, a thousand will remain in it a hundred, and of those hundred who have been going out from it there will remain ten in it of the house of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the Lord GOD: The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred shall have ten left, of the house of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; The city out of which there went forth a thousand, in it there shall be left a hundred, and in that out of which there went forth a hundred, there shall be left ten to the house of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lamentation against Israel
2“Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.” 3This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will only see a hundred return, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.”

Cross References
Isaiah 1:9
Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.

Isaiah 10:22
Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.

Jeremiah 6:9
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine. Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer over the branches.”

Jeremiah 42:2
Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes.

Ezekiel 5:3
But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment.

Ezekiel 12:16
But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Hosea 1:10
Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’

Hosea 9:12
Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!

Micah 5:7-8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind. / Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

Zechariah 13:8-9
And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it. / This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Luke 13:23-24
“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered, / “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

Romans 9:27
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

Romans 11:5
In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.


Treasury of Scripture

For thus said the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.

The city.

Deuteronomy 4:27
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

Deuteronomy 28:62
And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

Isaiah 1:9
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

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Able City Forth Goes House Hundred Israel Leave Marches Sovereign Strong Ten Thousand
Amos 5
1. A lamentation for Israel.
4. An exhortation to repentance.
21. God rejects their hypocritical service.














For this is what the Lord GOD says
This phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of the message. The Hebrew term for "Lord GOD" is "Adonai Yahweh," emphasizing both the sovereignty and covenantal relationship God has with Israel. It is a reminder that the words following are not merely human predictions but divine declarations, carrying the weight of God's ultimate authority and truth.

The city that marches out a thousand strong
The imagery of a city sending out a thousand soldiers reflects a time of war or conflict. In ancient Israel, cities were often fortified and had their own militias. The number "thousand" symbolizes completeness or a large, formidable force. Historically, this reflects the confidence and self-reliance of Israel's military might, which they believed could protect them from any threat.

will have only a hundred left
This drastic reduction from a thousand to a hundred signifies a devastating loss. The Hebrew context here suggests a divine judgment where human strength and numbers are rendered ineffective. It serves as a sobering reminder of the futility of relying on human power without God's favor and protection.

and the town that marches out a hundred strong
A smaller town with a hundred soldiers represents a less formidable force compared to a city. Yet, even this smaller number, which might have been considered sufficient for local defense, is subject to the same divine judgment. This highlights that no community, regardless of size, is exempt from accountability before God.

will have only ten left
The reduction from a hundred to ten is even more severe proportionally than the previous example. The number ten, often seen as a complete set in biblical terms, here represents a remnant. This remnant is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God preserves a small group for His purposes, even amidst widespread judgment.

to the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" refers to the entire nation, emphasizing that this message is not just for individual cities or towns but for the collective people of God. Historically, this period was marked by Israel's disobedience and idolatry, leading to God's judgment. Yet, it also implies hope, as the concept of a remnant suggests that God’s covenant with Israel remains, and His ultimate purpose for them will be fulfilled.

(3) Shall leave an hundred.--i.e., shall have an hundred only as a remnant of the thousand who went forth to war. The great cities were to be decimated in the coming struggle with Assyria.

Verse 3. - The vindication of the prophet's lament. The city that went out by a thousand. Septuagint and Vulgate, "from which went forth thousands," or, "a thousand;" i.e. which could send out a thousand warriors to the fight, in such a city only a tenth of the inhabitants shall remain; and this shall happen to small cities as well as great.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

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

“The city
הָעִ֛יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

that marches out
הַיֹּצֵ֥את (hay·yō·ṣêṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

a thousand strong
אֶ֖לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

will only see a hundred
מֵאָ֑ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

return,
תַּשְׁאִ֣יר (taš·’îr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

and the one that marches out
וְהַיּוֹצֵ֥את (wə·hay·yō·w·ṣêṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

a hundred strong
מֵאָ֛ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

will have but ten
עֲשָׂרָ֖ה (‘ă·śā·rāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

left
תַּשְׁאִ֥יר (taš·’îr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

in the house
לְבֵ֥ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel.”
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Amos 5:3 For thus says the Lord Yahweh: (Amo. Am)
Amos 5:2
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