Amo 5:7 | NETfull | STEP | The Israelites turn justice into bitterness; they throw what is fair and right to the ground.

Amos 5:7

7 The Israelites ^{▼▼ Heb “Those who”; the referent (the Israelites) has been specified in the translation for clarity. In light of vv. 11–13, it is also possible that the words are directed at a more limited group within the nation – those with social and economic power.} turn justice into bitterness; ^{▼▼ There is an interesting wordplay here with the verb הָפַךְ (hafakh, “overturn, turn”). Israel “turns” justice into wormwood (cf. 6:12), while the Lord “turns” darkness into morning (v. 8; cf. 4:11; 8:10). Israel’s turning is for evil, whereas the Lord’s is to demonstrate his absolute power and sovereignty.}
they throw what is fair and right ^{▼▼ Heb “they throw righteousness.”} to the ground. ^{▼▼ In v. 7 the prophet begins to describe the guilty Israelites, but then interrupts his word picture with a parenthetical, but powerful, description of the judge they must face (vv. 8–9). He resumes his description of the sinners in v. 10.}