Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, November 24th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Green's Literal Translation

Amos 2:1

So says Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn back from it, for he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Cremation;   Edomites;   Lime;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Moabites;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Amos, Theology of;   Funeral;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Furnace;   Lime;   Poetry;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Moab;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Amos;   Lime;   Moab and the Moabite Stone;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Lime;   Moab, Moabites;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Tomb, Grave, Sepulchre;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Lime;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Furnace;   Zion;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Furnace;   Lime,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Lime;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Amos (1);   Lime;   Number;   Punishments;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Amos;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Burial;   Dimi;   House;   Moab;   Sin;   Tombs;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
This is what the Lord says: "I will definitely punish the people of Moab for the many crimes they did. Moab burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: "For three offenses of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke its punishment, Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.
New Century Version

The People of Moab

This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Moab, I will punish them. They burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
New English Translation
This is what the Lord says: "Because Moab has committed three crimes— make that four!—I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They burned the bones of Edom's king into lime.
Update Bible Version
Thus says Yahweh: For three transgressions of Moab, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:
Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away [his punishment]: because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:
Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Moab and for four (multiplied delinquencies) I will not reverse its punishment or revoke My word concerning it, Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom [Esau's descendant] into lime [and used it to plaster a Moabite house].
English Standard Version
Thus says the Lord : "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.
World English Bible
Thus says Yahweh: "For three transgressions of Moab, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The Lord God seith these thingis, On thre grete trespassis of Moab, and on foure, Y schal not conuerte it, for it brente the boonys of the kyng of Idumee til to aische.
English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD: For three transgressions of Moab, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:
Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.
Contemporary English Version
The Lord said: I will punish Moab for countless crimes, and I won't change my mind. They made lime from the bones of the king of Edom.
American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
Bible in Basic English
These are the words of the Lord: For three crimes of Moab, and for four, I will not let its fate be changed; because he had the bones of the king of Edom burned to dust.
Complete Jewish Bible
Here is what Adonai says: "For Mo'av's three crimes, no, four — I will not reverse it — because he burned the bones of the king of Edom, turning them into lime;
Darby Translation
Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke its sentence; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Thus saith the LORD: For three transgressions of Moab, yea, for four, I will not reverse it: because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
King James Version (1611)
Thus sayth the Lord, For three transgressions of Moab, and for foure, I wil not turne away the punishment thereof, because hee burnt the bones of the King of Edom into lime.
New Living Translation
This is what the Lord says: "The people of Moab have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They desecrated the bones of Edom's king, burning them to ashes.
New Life Bible
The Lord says, "For three sins of Moab and for four, I will not hold back punishment. He burned the bones of the king of Edom to ashes.
New Revised Standard
Thus says the Lord : For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Thus sayth the Lorde, For three transgressions of Moab, and for foure, I will not turne to it, because it burnt the bones of the King of Edom into lime.
George Lamsa Translation
THUS says the LORD: For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment from the people thereof, because they burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus, saith Yahweh, Because of three transgressions of Moab, and because of four, will I not turn it back, - Because he burned the bones of the King of Edom to lime,
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: For three crimes of Moab, and for four I will not convert him: because he hath burnt the bones of the king of Edom even to ashes.
Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Thus sayth the Lorde, For three wickednesses of Moab, & for foure I will not spare him: because he burnt the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Thus saith the Lord; For three sins of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away from it; because they burnt the bones of the king of Idumea to lime.
Good News Translation
The Lord says, "The people of Moab have sinned again and again, and for this I will certainly punish them. They dishonored the bones of the king of Edom by burning them to ashes.
Christian Standard Bible®
The Lord says:
Hebrew Names Version
Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Mo'av, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime;
King James Version
Thus saith the Lord ; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:
Lexham English Bible
Thus says Yahweh: "For three transgressions of Moab and for four I will not revoke the punishment, because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.
Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, And for four, I do not reverse it, Because of his burning the bones of the king of Edom to lime,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Thus sayeth the LORDE: For thre and foure wickednesses off Moab, I will not spare him: because he brent the bones off the kynge of Edom to asshes.
THE MESSAGE
God 's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Moab —make that four—I'm not putting up with her any longer. She violated the corpse of Edom's king, burning it to cinders. For that, I'm burning down Moab, burning down the forts of Kerioth. Moab will die in the shouting, go out in the blare of war trumpets. I'll remove the king from the center and kill all his princes with him." God 's Decree.
New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Moab and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.
Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh,"For three transgressions of Moab and for fourI will not turn back its punishmentBecause he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.

Contextual Overview

1 So says Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn back from it, for he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime. 2 But I will send a fire against Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth. And Moab shall die with uproar, with a war cry, with the sound of the ram's horn. 3 And I will cut off the judge in its midst, and I will kill all his rulers with him, says Jehovah. 4 So says Jehovah: For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn back from it; for they despised the Law of Jehovah, and they have not kept His statutes. And their lies after which their fathers walked led them astray. 5 And I shall send a fire against Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem. 6 So says Jehovah: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn back from it, for they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals, 7 panting for the dust of the earth to be on the head of the helpless, and turning aside the way of the humble. And a man and his father will go in to the same girl, in order to profane the name of My holiness. 8 And they will stretch out beside every altar, and on garments taken in pledge. And they will drink wine of those being fined in the house of God.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

For three: Amos 2:4, Amos 2:6, Amos 1:3, Amos 1:6, Amos 1:9, Amos 1:11, Amos 1:13, Numbers 22:1 - Numbers 25:18, Deuteronomy 23:4, Deuteronomy 23:5, Psalms 83:4-7, Micah 6:5

of Moab: Isaiah 11:14, Isaiah 15:1 - Isaiah 16:14, Isaiah 25:10, Jeremiah 48:1-47, Ezekiel 25:8, Ezekiel 25:9, Zephaniah 2:8, Zephaniah 2:9

because: 2 Kings 3:9, 2 Kings 3:26, Proverbs 15:3

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 13:1 - the Ammonite Proverbs 6:16 - six Proverbs 30:15 - There Isaiah 16:6 - have Isaiah 33:12 - the burnings Jeremiah 8:1 - General Jeremiah 25:21 - Moab Jeremiah 27:3 - Edom

Cross-References

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth;
Genesis 1:10
And God called the dry land, Earth. And He called the collection of the waters, Seas. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because He rested from all His work on it, which God had created to make.
Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created in the day that Jehovah God was making earth and heavens.
Genesis 2:5
And every shrub of the field was not yet on the earth, and every plant of the field had not yet sprung up; for Jehovah God had not sent rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground.
Genesis 2:8
And Jehovah God planted a garden in Eden to the east; and He put the man whom He had formed there.
Genesis 2:11
The name of the first was Pishon; it is the one surrounding all the land of Havilah where gold is ;
Genesis 2:13
And the name of the second river is Gihon. It is the one surrounding all the land of Cush.
Exodus 20:11
For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all which is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; on account of this Jehovah blessed the sabbath day and sanctified it.
Exodus 31:17
It is a sign forever between Me and the sons of Israel; for in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions of Moab,.... Or the Moabites, who descended from the eldest son of Lot, by one of his daughters; and, though related, were great enemies to the Israelites; they sent for Balaam to curse them when on their borders, and greatly oppressed them in the times of the judges:

and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof;

:-. Idolatry, as well as the sin next charged, must be one of these four transgressions: the idols of Moab were Chemosh and Baalpeor; of the former :-; and of the latter

:-;

because he burnt the bones of the king of Edom into lime; either like "to lime", or "for lime"; he burnt them thoroughly, till they came to powder as small and as white as lime, and used them instead of it to plaster the walls of his palace, by way of contempt, as the Targum; and so Jarchi and Kimchi: this is thought probable by Quinquarboreus m, for which he is blamed by Sanctius, who observes, there is no foundation for it in Scripture; and that the ashes of the bones of one man would not be sufficient to plaster a wall; and, besides, could never be brought to such a consistence as to be fit for such a purpose; yet, if it only means bare burning them, so as that they became like lime, as the colour of it, it could not be thought so very barbarous and inhuman, since it was the usage of some nations, especially the Romans, to burn their dead: no doubt something shocking is intended, and which usage to the dead is resented by the Lord. Sir Paul Rycaut n relates a piece of barbarity similar to this, that the city of Philadelphia was built with the bones of the besieged, by the prince that took it by storm. Kimchi thinks, as other interpreters also do, that it refers to the history in 2 Kings 3:27; where the king of Moab is said to offer his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead for a burnt offering; which he understands, not of the king of Moab's son, but of the king of Edom's son, here called a king, because he was to have succeeded his father in the kingdom; but it seems rather to be the king of Moab's own son that he offered; nor is it likely that the king of Edom's son was in his lands; for he would have broke through into the king of Edom, but could not; and then did this rash action; not in wrath and fury, but in a religious way. The prophet here refers to some fact, notorious in those times, the truth of which is not to be questioned, though we have no other account of it in Scripture; very probably it was the same king of Moab that did it, and the same king of Edom that was so used, mentioned in the above history; the king of Moab being enraged at him for joining with the kings of Israel and Judah against him, who afterwards falling into his hands, he used him in this barbarous manner; or very likely being possessed of his country after his death, or however of his grave, he took him out of it, and burnt his bones to lime, in revenge of what he had done to him. This was a very cruel action thus to use a human body, and this not the body of a private person, but of a king; and was an act of impiety, as well as of inhumanity, to take the bones of the dead out of his grave, and burn them; and which though done to a Heathen prince. God, who is the Creator of all, and Governor of the whole world, and whose vicegerents princes are, resented; and therefore threatened the Moabites with utter destruction for it.

m Scholia in Targum in loc. n The Present State of the Greek Church, c. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Moab - The relation of Moab to Israel is only accidentally different from that of Ammon. One spirit actuated both, venting itself in one and the same way, as occasion served, and mostly together (see the note at Amos 1:13). Beside those more formal invasions, the history of Elisha mentions one probably of many in-roads of “bands of the Moabites.” It seems as though, when “the year entered in,” and with it the harvest, “the bands of the Moabites entered in” too, like “the Midianites and Amalekites and the children of the east” Judges 6:3-4, Judges 6:11 in the time of Gideon, or their successors the Bedouins, now. This their continual hostility is related in the few words of a parenthesis. There was no occasion to relate at length an uniform hostility, which was as regular as the seasons of the year, and the year’s produce, and the temptation to the cupidity of Moab, when Israel was weakened by Hazael.

Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom - The deed here condemned, is unknown. Doubtless it was connected with that same hatred of Edom, which the king of Moab showed, when besieged by Israel. People are often more enraged against a friend or ally who has made terms with one whom they hate or fear, than with the enemy himself. Certainly, “when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him” 2 Kings 3:26-27, his fury was directed personally against the king of Edom. He “took with him” 700 chosen men “to cut through to the king of Edom, and they could not.” Escape was not their object. They sought not “to cut through” the Edomite contingent into the desert, but “to the king of Edom.” Then “he took his oldest son,” that is, probably the oldest son of the king of Edom whom he captured, “and offered him up as a burnt offering on the wall.”

Such is the simplest structure of the words; He “strove to cut through to the king of Edom, and they could not, and he took his oldest son, etc., and there was great indignation against Israel.” That “indignation” too on the part of Edom (for there was no other to be indignant “against Israel”) is best accounted for, if this expedition, undertaken because Moab had rebelled against Israel, had occasioned the sacrifice of the son of the king of Edom, who took part in it only as a tributary of Judah. Edom would have had no special occasion to be indignant with Israel, if on occasion of an ordinary siege, the king of Moab had, in a shocking way, performed the national idolatry of child-sacrifice. That hatred the king of Moab carried beyond the grave, hatred which the pagan too held to be unnatural in its implacableness and unsatiableness. The soul being, after death, beyond man’s reach, the hatred, vented upon his remains, is a sort of impotent grasping at eternal vengeance.

It wreaks on what it knows to be insensible, the hatred with which it would pursue, if it could, the living being who is beyond it. Its impotence evinces its fierceness, since, having no power to wreak any real revenge, it has no object but to show its hatred. Hatred, which death cannot extinguish, is the beginning of the eternal hate in hell. With this hatred Moab hated the king of Edom, seemingly because he had been, though probably against this will, on the side of the people of God. It was then sin against the love of God, and directed against God Himself. The single instance, which we know, of any feud between Moab and Edom was, when Edom was engaged in a constrained service of God. At least there are no indications of any conquest of each other. The Bozrah of Moab, being in the Mishor, “the plain” Jeremiah 48:21, Jeremiah 48:24, is certainly distinct from the Bozrah of Edom, which Jeremiah speaks of at the same time, as belonging to Edom Jeremiah 49:13. Each kingdom, Edom and Moab, had its own strong city, Bozrah, at one and the same time. And if “the rock,” which Isaiah speaks of as the strong hold of Moab Isaiah 16:1, was indeed the Petra of Edom, (and the mere name, in that country of rock-fortresses is not strong, yet is the only, proof,) they won it from Judah who had taken it from Edom, and in whose hands it remained in the time of Amos (2 Kings 14:7; see above the note at Amos 1:12), not from Edom itself. Or, again, the tribute “may” have been only sent through Petra, as the great center of commerce. Edom’s half-service gained it no good, but evil; Moab’s malice was its destruction.

The proverb, “speak good only of the dead,” shows what reverence human nature dictates, not to condemn those who have been before their Judge, unless He have already openly condemned them. “Death,” says Athanasius in relating the death of Arius on his perjury, “is the common end of all people, and we ought not to insult the dead, though he be an enemy, for it is uncertain whether the same event may not happen to ourselves before evening.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER II

The prophet goes on to declare the judgments of God against

Moab, 1-3;

against Judah, 4, 5;

and then against Israel, the particular object of his mission.

He enumerates some of their sins, 6-8,

aggravated by God's distinguishing regard to Israel, 9-12;

and they are in consequence threatened with dreadful

punishments, 13-16.

See 2 Kings 15:19; 2 Kings 17:6.

NOTES ON CHAP. II

Verse Amos 2:1. For three transgressions of Moab and for four — See an explanation of this form Amos 1:2. The land of the Moabites lay to the east of the Dead Sea. For the origin of this people, see Genesis 19:37.

He burned the bones on the king of Edom into lime — Possibly referring to some brutality; such as opening the grave of one of the Idumean kings, and calcining his bones. It is supposed by some to refer to the fact mentioned 2 Kings 3:26, when the kings of Judah, Israel, and Idumea, joined together to destroy Moab. The king of it, despairing to save his city, took seven hundred men, and made a desperate sortie on the quarter where the king of Edom was; and, though not successful, took prisoner the son of the king of Edom; and, on their return into the city, offered him as a burnt-offering upon the wall, so as to terrify the besieging armies, and cause them to raise the siege. Others understand the son that was sacrificed to be the king of Moab's own son.


 
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