I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

AMOS 1:5KJV
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Amos 1:5 (KJV)

What does Amos 1:5 mean?

Amos 1:5 describes God’s coming judgment on Damascus, saying He will break its defenses, remove its rulers, and send the people of Syria into exile in Kir. The verse shows that even powerful cities and leaders will not escape consequences for their actions.

In this verse, the prophet Amos is speaking God’s message to the people of Damascus, the capital of Syria, warning them of destruction and exile because of their wrongdoing. The verse uses vivid language—like breaking the “bar” of the city and cutting off rulers—to show the totality of the judgment. The mention of places like Aven and Eden, and the exile to Kir, points to real locations familiar to Amos’s audience, making the warning concrete and serious.

The Hebrew behind Amos 1:5

  • “bar” (דֶּלֶת, delet, H1280): This word refers to a bar or bolt used to secure a city gate. Breaking the bar means the city’s defenses will be useless, leaving it open to attack.
  • “captivity” (גָּלָה, galah, H1540): This word means to be taken away or exiled. Here, it emphasizes that the people will be forcibly removed from their homeland, not just defeated in battle.
  • “Kir” (קִיר, qir, H7024): Kir was a distant place, possibly in Mesopotamia. Mentioning Kir underlines that the exile will be far from home, making the punishment severe and complete.

Why Amos 1:5 matters

  • Amos 1:5 clarifies that God’s judgment is not just spiritual or symbolic but involves real, historical consequences for nations and their leaders.
  • The verse highlights that God holds even foreign, powerful cities accountable for their actions, not just Israel or Judah.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing a pattern: Amos lists judgments against several nations, making it clear that no one is exempt from God’s justice.

Where else these words appear

“Aven” Hebrew H206 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 30:17 The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity.
  • Hosea 10:8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

“Kir” Hebrew H7024 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
  • Isaiah 15:1 The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;
  • Isaiah 22:6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

“Eden” Hebrew H5731 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
  • Ezekiel 31:9 I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.

“plain” Hebrew H1237 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
  • Joshua 12:7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;
  • Isaiah 63:14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.