1 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 .
2 Heb “Because of three violations of Moab, 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 .
3 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 .
4 The Moabites apparently desecrated the tomb of an Edomite king and burned his bones into a calcined substance which they then used as plaster (cf. Deut 27:2, 4). See S. M. Paul, Amos (Hermeneia), . Receiving a proper burial was very important in this culture. Desecrating a tomb or a deceased individual’s bones was considered an especially heinous act.
5 The destruction of Moab by fire is an example of a judgment in kind—as the Moabites committed the crime of “burning,” so the Lord will punish them by setting them on fire.
6 Kerioth was an important Moabite city. See Jer 48:24, 41.
7 Or “die” (, , , ); “shall meet death.”
8 Or “in the tumult.” This word refers to the harsh confusion of sounds that characterized an ancient battle—a mixture of war cries, shouts, shrieks of pain, clashes of weapons, etc.
9 Heb “sound” (so , , ).
10 The ram’s horn (used as a trumpet) was blown to signal the approaching battle.

In other versions

ESVEnglish 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.

So I will send a fire upon Moab,

and it shall devour the strongholds of Kerioth,

and Moab shall die amid uproar,

amid shouting and the sound of the trumpet;

NIVNew International Version (2011)

This is what the Lord says:

“For three sins of Moab,

even for four, I will not relent.

Because he burned to ashes

the bones of Edom’s king,

I will send fire on Moab

that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth.

Moab will go down in great tumult

amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The Lord says:

I will not relent from punishing Moab

for three crimes, even four,

because he burned the bones

of the king of Edom to lime.

Therefore, I will send fire against Moab,

and it will consume the citadels of Kerioth.

Moab will die with a tumult,

with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.

NLTNew 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.

So I will send down fire on the land of Moab,

and all the fortresses in Kerioth will be destroyed.

The people will fall in the noise of battle,

as the warriors shout and the ram’s horn sounds.

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. So I will send a fire against Moab and it will devour the citadel fortresses of Kerioth, and Moab will die amid uproar, amid war cries and amid the sound of a horn.

KJV 1900King 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:

But I will send a fire upon Moab,

And it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth:

And Moab shall die with tumult,

With shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:

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Amos 2:1–2

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Footnotes