This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood. This is what the LORD says:This phrase introduces a divine oracle, emphasizing that the message comes directly from God. It underscores the authority and seriousness of the pronouncement. In the prophetic tradition, this formula is used to convey that the prophet is speaking on behalf of God, not from personal opinion. For three transgressions of Tyre, even four,
This expression is a Hebrew idiom indicating a fullness or completeness of sin, suggesting that Tyre's sins are numerous and have reached a tipping point. Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth and trade. The repetition of "three... even four" is a rhetorical device used throughout Amos to emphasize the gravity of the offenses. I will not revoke My judgment,
God's decision is firm and irreversible. This reflects the justice of God, who cannot overlook persistent sin. The certainty of divine judgment is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, highlighting God's holiness and the consequences of disobedience. because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom
Tyre is accused of betraying a group of people, likely Israelites, by handing them over to Edom, a neighboring nation often hostile to Israel. This act of betrayal is significant, as it involves the violation of trust and the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals. Historically, Edom and Israel had a contentious relationship, and Tyre's actions would have been seen as exacerbating this enmity. and broke a covenant of brotherhood.
This phrase suggests that there was an agreement or understanding between Tyre and Israel that was violated. In the ancient Near East, covenants were serious commitments, often sealed with oaths and rituals. The breaking of such a covenant would be seen as a grave offense, not only against the other party but also against God, who is often invoked as a witness to covenants. This breach of trust highlights the moral and ethical failures of Tyre, contributing to the justification for divine judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver messages of judgment to Israel and surrounding nations. 2. TyreAn ancient Phoenician city known for its wealth and trade, located on the Mediterranean coast. 3. EdomA nation descended from Esau, often in conflict with Israel, located southeast of the Dead Sea. 4. Covenant of BrotherhoodA likely reference to a treaty or agreement of mutual respect and peace, possibly between Tyre and Israel or Judah. 5. ExilesPeople who were captured and sold or delivered into slavery, violating the covenant of brotherhood. Teaching Points The Seriousness of BetrayalBetrayal of trust and breaking of covenants are serious offenses in God's eyes. We must strive to be people of integrity, honoring our commitments and relationships. God's JusticeGod's judgment is certain and just. He holds nations and individuals accountable for their actions, especially when they harm others. The Importance of BrotherhoodThe covenant of brotherhood signifies the importance of unity and peace among people. As Christians, we are called to live in harmony and support one another. Consequences of SinSin has consequences, not only for individuals but also for communities and nations. We must be vigilant in our actions and seek repentance when we fall short. Historical Context and Modern ApplicationUnderstanding the historical context of biblical events helps us apply these lessons to modern situations, encouraging us to uphold justice and righteousness in our communities. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the betrayal by Tyre teach us about the importance of keeping our promises and covenants today? 2. How can we apply the concept of a "covenant of brotherhood" in our relationships within the church and our communities? 3. In what ways does the judgment pronounced on Tyre reflect God's character and His view on justice? 4. How can we ensure that we are not complicit in actions that harm others, similar to Tyre's delivery of exiles to Edom? 5. What lessons can we learn from the historical context of Tyre's actions that can help us navigate issues of trust and betrayal in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Ezekiel 26-28These chapters also pronounce judgment on Tyre, highlighting its pride and eventual downfall. Obadiah 1:10-14This passage speaks of Edom's betrayal of Israel, similar to the betrayal mentioned in Amos. Psalm 133:1This verse emphasizes the beauty and importance of brotherly unity, contrasting with Tyre's betrayal. Isaiah 23Another prophecy against Tyre, focusing on its destruction due to pride and betrayal. People Amos, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Hazael, Jehoash, Jeroboam, Joash, Teman, UzziahPlaces Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beth-eden, Bozrah, Carmel, Damascus, Edom, Ekron, Gaza, Gilead, Jerusalem, Kir, Rabbah, Syria, Tekoa, Teman, Tyre, Valley of Aven, ZionTopics Agreement, Brotherhood, Brotherly, Brothers, Captives, Captivity, Changed, Communities, Community, Complete, Covenant, Crimes, Delivered, Delivering, Didn't, Disregarding, Edom, Entire, Fate, Giving, Population, Prisoners, Punishment, Remember, Remembered, Reverse, Revoke, Says, Sentence, Sins, Sold, Thereof, Thus, Transgressions, Treaty, Turn, Tyre, Tyrus, Wrath, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 1:9 1346 covenants, nature of
1656 numbers, combinations
7530 foreigners
7773 prophets, role
8791 oppression, nature of
8795 persecution, nature of Amos 1:9-10 5246 captivity
5592 treaty Library The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Whether, in Prophetic Revelation, New Species of Things are Impressed on the Prophet's Mind, or Merely a New Light?
Objection 1: It would seem that in prophetic revelation no new species of things are impressed on the prophet's mind, but only a new light. For a gloss of Jerome on Amos 1:2 says that "prophets draw comparisons from things with which they are conversant." But if prophetic vision were effected by means of species newly impressed, the prophet's previous experience of things would be inoperative. Therefore no new species are impressed on the prophet's soul, but only the prophetic light. Objection 2: …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether a Natural Disposition is Requisite for Prophecy?
Objection 1: It would seem that a natural disposition is requisite for prophecy. For prophecy is received by the prophet according to the disposition of the recipient, since a gloss of Jerome on Amos 1:2, "The Lord will roar from Sion," says: "Anyone who wishes to make a comparison naturally turns to those things of which he has experience, and among which his life is spent. For example, sailors compare their enemies to the winds, and their losses to a shipwreck. In like manner Amos, who was a shepherd, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Links Amos 1:9 NIVAmos 1:9 NLTAmos 1:9 ESVAmos 1:9 NASBAmos 1:9 KJV
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