The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

AMOS 7:6KJV
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Amos 7:6 (KJV)

What does Amos 7:6 mean?

Amos 7:6 says that the LORD decided not to carry out a threatened judgment, expressing a change of intention in response to the situation. The verse shows God’s willingness to hold back disaster, declaring, “This also shall not be,” as spoken by the Lord GOD.

In this part of the book of Amos, the prophet is describing a vision where God shows him a coming judgment on Israel. Amos pleads with God, and God responds by “repenting”—that is, relenting or changing course. The verse highlights a moment of mercy, where God, addressed here as both “the LORD” and “the Lord GOD,” chooses not to send the disaster he had shown Amos.

The Hebrew behind Amos 7:6

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing God’s covenant relationship with Israel. Its use here underscores the personal involvement of God in this decision.
  • repented (נָחַם, nacham): This Hebrew word often means to relent, be moved to pity, or change one’s mind. In this context, it does not mean God made a mistake, but that God chose to withhold judgment in response to Amos’s plea.
  • saith (אָמַר, amar): This word means “said” or “declares.” It marks the authority of the statement, showing that the decision comes directly from God.
  • Lord (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai) and GOD (יְהוִה, Yahweh): The combination “Lord GOD” (Adonai Yahweh) stresses both God’s authority (Adonai, meaning “Master” or “Sovereign”) and his personal name (Yahweh), making the declaration especially weighty.

Why Amos 7:6 matters

  • Amos 7:6 clarifies that God’s judgments are not automatic or mechanical; God listens and is responsive to intercession, showing a personal and relational aspect.
  • The verse helps prevent the misunderstanding that God is unfeeling or unchangeable in the face of sincere prayer; instead, God’s mercy is highlighted.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage, where Amos repeatedly intercedes for Israel, and God’s willingness to relent shows both the seriousness of coming judgment and the real possibility of mercy.