Amos 1:3

¹ These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.

² He said: “The LORD roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers.”

This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron.

⁴ So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad.

⁵ I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron.
KJV: Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
WEB: The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron;
ASV: Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Damascus, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
DARBY: Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke [my sentence], because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron.
BLB: Thus says YHWH: “Over three transgressions of Damascus, even over four, I will not turn back—over their threshing Gilead with sledges of iron.

ÅB: Så sier Herren: For tre misgjerninger av Damaskus, ja for fire vil jeg ikke ta det[^1] tilbake - fordi de tresket Gilead med treskesleder av jern[^2];
OTB: Så sier Herren:
"For tre overtredelser av Damaskus, ja, for fire,
vil jeg ikke ta det tilbake.
Fordi de tresket Gilead med treskesleder av jern,
B1930: Så sier Herren: For tre misgjerninger av Damaskus, ja for fire vil jeg ikke ta det tilbake - fordi de tresket Gilead med treskesleder av jern; / < hvad jeg har besluttet; AMO 1, 4. 5.> / < 2SA 12, 31. JES 28, 27. 28; 41, 15.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Kings 10:32–33
In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory
Read in context
Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
Read in context
Jeremiah 49:23–27
Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed.
Read in context
Amos 2:6
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.
Read in context
2 Kings 8:12
“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”
Read in context
Amos 1:9
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.
Read in context
Isaiah 17:1–3
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.
Read in context
Zechariah 9:1
This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place— for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD —
Read in context