27 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).
28 Traditionally, “transgressions” (, , , ) or “sins” (). 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 .
29 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 .
30 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 .
31 Heb “[group of] exiles.” A number of English translations take this as a collective singular and translate it with a plural (e.g., , , ).
32 Heb “in order to hand them over.”
33 The city wall symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.
34 Heb “it”; the referent (the fire mentioned in the previous line) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
35 Heb “cut off.”
36 Heb “the one who sits.” Some translations take this expression as a collective singular referring to the inhabitants rather than the ruler (e.g., , , ).
37 Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath).
38 Ashkelon was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashdod, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath).
39 Ekron was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Gath).
40 Heb “I will turn my hand against Ekron.” For other uses of the idiom, “turn the hand against,” see Ps 81:14; Isa 1:25; Jer 6:9; Zech 13:7.
41 Heb “and the remnant of the Philistines will perish.” The translation above assumes that reference is made to other Philistines beside those living in the cities mentioned. Another option is to translate, “Every last Philistine will die.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Gaza,

and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

because they carried into exile a whole people

to deliver them up to Edom.

So I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza,

and it shall devour her strongholds.

I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod,

and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon;

I will turn my hand against Ekron,

and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,”

says the Lord God.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

This is what the Lord says:

“For three sins of Gaza,

even for four, I will not relent.

Because she took captive whole communities

and sold them to Edom,

I will send fire on the walls of Gaza

that will consume her fortresses.

I will destroy the king of Ashdod

and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon.

I will turn my hand against Ekron,

till the last of the Philistines are dead,”

says the Sovereign Lord.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The Lord says:

I will not relent from punishing Gaza

for three crimes, even four,

because they exiled a whole community,

handing them over to Edom.

Therefore, I will send fire against the walls of Gaza,

and it will consume its citadels.

I will cut off the ruler from Ashdod,

and the one who wields the scepter from Ashkelon.

I will also turn my hand against Ekron,

and the remainder of the Philistines will perish.

The Lord God has spoken.

NLTNew Living Translation

This is what the Lord says:

“The people of Gaza have sinned again and again,

and I will not let them go unpunished!

They sent whole villages into exile,

selling them as slaves to Edom.

So I will send down fire on the walls of Gaza,

and all its fortresses will be destroyed.

I will slaughter the people of Ashdod

and destroy the king of Ashkelon.

Then I will turn to attack Ekron,

and the few Philistines still left will be killed,”

says the Sovereign Lord.

Thus says Yahweh: “For three transgressions of Gaza and for four I will not revoke the punishment, because they exiled a whole community, handing them over to Edom! So I will send a fire against the wall of Gaza and it will devour its citadel fortresses. And I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod and the one who takes hold of the scepter of Ashkelon. I will also turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord Yahweh.

KJV 1900King James Version

Thus saith the Lord;

For three transgressions of Gaza,

And for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof;

Because they carried away captive the whole captivity,

To deliver them up to Edom:

But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza,

Which shall devour the palaces thereof:

And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod,

And him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon,

And I will turn mine hand against Ekron:

And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord God.

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Amos 1:6–8

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