Amos 9:7
New International Version
“Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

New Living Translation
“Are you Israelites more important to me than the Ethiopians?” asks the LORD. “I brought Israel out of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Crete and led the Arameans out of Kir.

English Standard Version
“Are you not like the Cushites to me, O people of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?

Berean Standard Bible
“Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?

King James Bible
Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

New King James Version
Are you not like the people of Ethiopia to Me, O children of Israel?” says the LORD. “Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, The Philistines from Caphtor, And the Syrians from Kir?

New American Standard Bible
“Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me, You sons of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

NASB 1995
“Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

NASB 1977
“Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

Legacy Standard Bible
“Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?” declares Yahweh. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

Amplified Bible
“Are you [degenerate ones] not as the [despised] sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?” says the LORD. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans (Syrians) from Kir?

Christian Standard Bible
Israelites, are you not like the Cushites to me? This is the LORD’s declaration. Didn’t I bring Israel from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Israelites, are you not like the Cushites to Me? This is the LORD’s declaration. Didn’t I bring Israel from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?

American Standard Version
Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith Jehovah. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

Contemporary English Version
Israel, I am the LORD God, and the Ethiopians are no less important to me than you are. I brought you out of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Crete and the Arameans from Kir.

English Revised Version
Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You people of Israel are like the people from Sudan, says the LORD. Didn't I bring Israel from Egypt? Didn't I bring the Philistines from Crete and the Arameans from Kir?

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "People of Israel, I think as much of the people of Ethiopia as I do of you. I brought the Philistines from Crete and the Syrians from Kir, just as I brought you from Egypt.

International Standard Version
"Aren't you people of Israel like the people of Cush to me?" declares the LORD. "I brought Israel up from the land of Egypt, did I not, as well as the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

Majority Standard Bible
?Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?? declares the LORD. ?Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?

NET Bible
"You Israelites are just like the Ethiopians in my sight," says the LORD. "Certainly I brought Israel up from the land of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir.

New Heart English Bible
Are you not like the people of Ethiopia to me, children of Israel?" says the LORD. "Haven't I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir?

Webster's Bible Translation
Are ye not as children of the Cushites to me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel from the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Assyrians from Kir?

World English Bible
Are you not like the children of the Ethiopians to me, children of Israel?” says Yahweh. “Haven’t I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Are you not as sons of Cushim to Me, O sons of Israel?” A declaration of YHWH. “Did I not bring Israel up out of the land of Egypt? And the Philistines from Caphtor, and Aram from Kir?

Young's Literal Translation
As sons of Cushim are ye not to Me? O sons of Israel -- an affirmation of Jehovah. Israel did I not bring up out of the land of Egypt? And the Philistines from Caphtor, and Aram from Kir?

Smith's Literal Translation
Are ye not as the sons of the Cushites to me, O sons of Israel? says Jehovah. Did I not bring up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the rovers from Caphtor, and Aram from Kir?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Are not you as the children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel, saith the Lord? did not I bring up Israel, out of the land of Egypt: and the Philistines out of Cappadocia, and the Syrians out of Cyrene?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Sons of Israel, are you not like the sons of the Ethiopians to me, says the Lord? Did I not cause Israel to rise up out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines out of Cappadocia, and the Syrians out of Cyrene?

New American Bible
Are you not like the Ethiopians to me, O Israelites?—oracle of the LORD— Did I not bring the Israelites from the land of Egypt as I brought the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

New Revised Standard Version
Are you not like the Ethiopians to me, O people of Israel? says the LORD. Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, you are like the Ethiopians to me, O children of Israel! says the LORD. Behold, I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt and the Philistines from Capadocia and the Arameans from Kir.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, you are to me as children of the Kushites, children of Israel, says LORD JEHOVAH. Behold, I brought Israel up from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Qapadoqia, and Aram from Qir
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians unto Me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor, And Aram from Kir?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Are not ye to me as the sons of the Ethiopians, O children of Israel? saith the Lord. Did I not bring Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Cappadocia, and the Syrians out of the deep?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Destruction of Israel
6He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name. 7“Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir? 8Surely the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth. Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:6-8
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. / The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. / But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Isaiah 19:24-25
In that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing upon the earth. / The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.”

Jeremiah 12:14-17
This is what the LORD says: “As for all My evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to My people Israel, I am about to uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them. / But after I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land. / And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people. ...

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.

Romans 2:28-29
A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Genesis 10:6-14
The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. / The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. / Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. ...

2 Kings 17:24-34
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” ...

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Matthew 3:9
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

John 8:39
“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.

Romans 9:24-26
including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles? / As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / 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.’”

Galatians 3:28-29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. / And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Ephesians 2:11-13
Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Are you not as children of the Ethiopians to me, O children of Israel? said the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

ye not.

Jeremiah 9:25,26
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised; …

Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Have not.

Amos 2:10
Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.

Exodus 12:51
And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Hosea 12:13
And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

the Philistines.

Deuteronomy 2:23
And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

Jeremiah 47:4
Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

the Syrians.

Amos 1:5
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.

2 Kings 16:9
And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

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Aram Arameans Assyrians Caphtor Children Cushim Cushites Declares Egypt Ethiopia Ethiopians Israel Israelites Kir Philistines Syrians
Amos 9
1. The certainty of the desolation.
11. The restoring of the tabernacle of David.














Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question from God, comparing the Israelites to the Cushites. The Cushites, or Ethiopians, were a people from a distant land, often seen as foreign or unrelated to Israel. The Hebrew word for Cushites is "כּוּשִׁי" (Kushi), which signifies a people distinct from Israel. This comparison serves to humble Israel, reminding them that their special status is not due to inherent superiority but to God's sovereign choice. Historically, the Cushites were known for their distinct culture and geographical separation, emphasizing that Israel's identity is rooted in their relationship with God, not in ethnic or national pride.

declares the LORD
This phrase underscores the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred name of God, emphasizing His covenantal relationship with Israel. The declaration is not merely a statement but a divine proclamation, carrying the weight of God's unchanging truth and justice. It serves as a reminder that the words spoken are not from a human prophet but from God Himself, who is faithful to His promises and judgments.

Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt
Here, God reminds Israel of their deliverance from Egypt, a foundational event in their history. The Hebrew verb "bring up" (הֶעֱלֵיתִי, he'eleiti) signifies a purposeful act of salvation and elevation. This reference to the Exodus highlights God's role as Redeemer and Deliverer, who brought Israel out of slavery and into a covenant relationship with Him. It serves as a reminder of God's past faithfulness and the basis for Israel's identity as His chosen people.

the Philistines from Caphtor
This phrase draws a parallel between Israel's exodus and the Philistines' migration from Caphtor, likely Crete. The Philistines were often Israel's adversaries, yet God acknowledges His hand in their history as well. The mention of Caphtor (כַּפְתּוֹר, Kaftor) suggests a divine orchestration of nations and peoples, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all creation. It challenges Israel to recognize that God's providence extends beyond their own narrative.

and the Arameans from Kir?
The Arameans, another neighboring people, are said to have been brought from Kir. This further illustrates God's control over the movements and destinies of nations. The mention of Kir (קִיר, Qir) reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty, as God orchestrates the rise and fall of peoples according to His purposes. It serves as a reminder that Israel's election is not due to their merit but to God's gracious choice, and that He is the God of all nations.

(7) Ethiopians.--Israel had presumed on the special favour of Jehovah. The prophet asks them whether, after all, they are better or safer than the Ethiopians, whom they despised. He who led Israel from Egypt also brought the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir. Caphtor is mentioned in the table of races, Genesis 10:14 (where the clause referring to the Philistines should probably be placed at the end of the verse). The LXX. followed by the Targums and Peshito interpret Caphtor as Cappadocia, probably from resemblance in form. R. S. Poole, art. "Caphtor," in the Dictionary of the Bible, compares the Egyptian Kebtu or Koptos, and places the Caphtorim in Upper Egypt, while Ebers holds that they had their settlements in the Nile delta. But the identification of Caphtor with Crete is most probable. So Rosenmller, Ewald, Dillmann, &c. On Kir, probably E. of the Euphrates, see Note on Amos 1:5.

Verse 7. - Israel's election to be God's people should not save them, unless their conduct corresponded with God's choice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Are you not
הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

like the Cushites
כֻשִׁיִּ֨ים (ḵu·šî·yîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3569: Cushite -- descendant of Cush

to Me,
לִ֛י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

O children
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

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

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

the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“Did I not
הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

bring
הֶעֱלֵ֙יתִי֙ (he·‘ĕ·lê·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

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

up from the land
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt,
מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

the Philistines
וּפְלִשְׁתִּיִּ֥ים (ū·p̄ə·liš·tî·yîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

from Caphtor,
מִכַּפְתּ֖וֹר (mik·kap̄·tō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3731: Caphtor -- probably a name for Crete

and the Arameans
וַאֲרָ֥ם (wa·’ă·rām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

from Kir?
מִקִּֽיר׃ (miq·qîr)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7024: Kir -- 'wall', a city in Moab


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OT Prophets: Amos 9:7 Are you not like the children (Amo. Am)
Amos 9:6
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