That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:

AMOS 2:7KJV
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Amos 2:7 (KJV)

What does Amos 2:7 mean?

Amos 2:7 describes people who are cruel to the poor and humble, taking advantage of them and ignoring their needs. The verse also points out a shocking moral breakdown, where both a father and son are involved with the same young woman, showing deep disrespect for what is holy.

In this verse, the prophet Amos is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel, calling out their social and moral corruption. The setting is one where the wealthy and powerful are oppressing the vulnerable, and even basic decency is being ignored. Amos uses strong language to highlight how far the nation has strayed from justice and holiness.

The Hebrew behind Amos 2:7

  • "pant" (שָׁאַף, sha'aph): This word means to long for or to greedily desire. Here, it paints a picture of people who are desperate to take even the dust from the heads of the poor, showing extreme greed and lack of compassion.
  • "dust" (עָפָר, afar) and "earth" (אֶרֶץ, erets): The phrase about dust on the head likely refers to a sign of mourning or humiliation. The oppressors are so heartless that they trample on those already grieving or suffering.
  • "poor" (דַּל, dal): This word points to those who are weak or needy, emphasizing that the victims are especially vulnerable.
  • "profane" (חָלַל, chalal): This means to defile or treat as common something that should be holy. The actions described are not just social wrongs but are seen as a direct insult to God’s holiness.

Why Amos 2:7 matters

  • Amos 2:7 clears up that the issue is not just personal sin but a society-wide pattern of injustice and disrespect for God’s standards.
  • The verse shows how social injustice and sexual immorality are linked to a deeper spiritual problem: treating God’s name and what is holy with contempt.
  • Amos 2:7 connects to the wider message of Amos, where God holds His people accountable for both how they treat each other and how they honor Him.

Where else these words appear

“pant” Hebrew H7602 · used in 14 verses

  • Job 5:5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
  • Psalms 56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
  • Isaiah 42:14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

“meek” Hebrew H6035 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
  • Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
  • Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

“poor” Hebrew H1800 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 23:3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
  • Psalms 41:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
  • Proverbs 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

“maid” Hebrew H5291 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Deuteronomy 22:27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
  • 1 Kings 1:2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.