Amos 1:6
6 This is what the Lord says:
“Because Gaza ▼▼ Gaza was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath). It was considered to mark the southern limit of Canaan at the point on the coast where it was located (
Gen 10:19).
has committed three crimes ▼▼ Traditionally, “transgressions” (KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV) or “sins” (NIV). For an explanation of the atrocities outlined in this oracle as treaty violations of God’s mandate to Noah in
Gen 9:5–7, see the note on the word “violations” in
1:3.
–
make that four! ▼▼ Heb “Because of three violations of Gaza, even because of four.”
▼▼ On the
three…four style that introduces each of the judgment oracles of chaps.
1–2 see the note on the word “four” in
1:3.
– I will not revoke my decree of judgment. ▼▼ Heb “I will not bring it [or “him”] back.” The translation understands the pronominal object to refer to the decree of judgment that follows; the referent (the decree) has been specified in the translation for clarity. For another option see the note on the word “judgment” in
1:3.
They deported a whole community ▼▼ Heb “[group of] exiles.” A number of English translations take this as a collective singular and translate it with a plural (e.g., NAB, NIV, NRSV).
and sold them ▼▼ Heb “in order to hand them over.”
to Edom.