The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

AMOS 6:8KJV
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Amos 6:8 (KJV)

What does Amos 6:8 mean?

Amos 6:8 declares that the Lord GOD has sworn by himself that he despises the pride and luxury of Israel (called "Jacob") and will therefore hand over the city and everything in it to judgment. This verse shows God’s strong rejection of Israel’s arrogance and foretells coming disaster as a direct result.

In this verse, the prophet Amos is speaking to the people of Israel, delivering a message from God during a time when the nation was wealthy and complacent. God’s oath "by himself" stresses the seriousness and certainty of what is being announced. The focus on "the excellency of Jacob" and "his palaces" points to Israel’s pride in its achievements and material comfort, which God now says he hates because it has led them away from justice and faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Amos 6:8

  • אֲדֹנָי (’Adonay, H136) and יְהוָה (YHWH, H3069/H3068): Both titles for God appear, emphasizing his supreme authority and the personal nature of his declaration.
  • נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315): Translated "himself," this word literally means "soul" or "life," highlighting that God is swearing by his own being, which underlines the unbreakable certainty of his promise.
  • גָּאוֹן (ga'on, H1347): Translated "excellency," this word often refers to pride or arrogance. Here, it suggests that what Israel sees as its greatness is actually what God despises.
  • הֵיכָל (heikal, H759): Translated "palaces," this word points to the luxurious homes and fortresses of the wealthy, showing that God’s anger is directed at the self-indulgence and security found in material wealth.

Why Amos 6:8 matters

  • Amos 6:8 makes clear that God’s judgment is not random but is a response to Israel’s pride and misplaced trust in wealth and status.
  • The verse connects directly to the larger message of Amos, which warns against complacency and injustice among God’s people, especially when they ignore the needs of others.
  • By using strong language like "abhor" and "hate," Amos 6:8 challenges the idea that God is always pleased with outward success or prosperity, reminding readers that God values humility and justice.

Where else these words appear

“palaces” Hebrew H759 · used in 31 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:18 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died,
  • Isaiah 34:13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.
  • Amos 1:7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof:

“therein” Hebrew H4393 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  • 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
  • Isaiah 8:8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

“excellency” Hebrew H1347 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
  • Ezekiel 16:56 For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,

“up” Hebrew H5462 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Job 11:10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?