In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.

AMOS 8:13KJV
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Amos 8:13 (KJV)

What does Amos 8:13 mean?

Amos 8:13 describes a time when even the strongest and most beautiful young people—both women and men—will collapse from intense thirst. The verse uses this image to show that no one, not even those in the prime of life, will escape the coming hardship.

In this verse, the prophet Amos is delivering a warning from God to the people of Israel. The setting is a prophecy about a coming judgment, where God will withhold blessings, including water and spiritual nourishment. The mention of "fair virgins and young men" highlights that suffering will reach everyone, not just the weak or elderly, showing the total impact of the coming disaster.

The Hebrew behind Amos 8:13

  • The word for "fair" is יָפֶה (yafeh), which means beautiful or attractive. Its use here emphasizes that even those considered most desirable or favored in society will not be spared.
  • "Virgins" comes from בְּתוּלָה (betulah), a term for young, unmarried women. This highlights innocence and the expectation of a hopeful future, making their suffering more striking.
  • "Men" is בָּחוּר (bachur), meaning a young man in his prime. This word points to strength and vigor, showing that even the energetic and capable will be overwhelmed.
  • The word "faint" is עָלַף (alaf), which means to become weak or collapse. This paints a vivid picture of exhaustion and helplessness.
  • "Thirst" is צָמָא (tzama), meaning a desperate need for water. In the context of Amos, this thirst can also hint at a spiritual longing that goes unmet.

Why Amos 8:13 matters

  • Amos 8:13 makes clear that the coming judgment will affect all levels of society, not just the marginalized or vulnerable, but even those who seem least likely to suffer.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Amos warns of a spiritual famine—a time when people will desperately seek God’s word but will not find it, making the physical thirst a symbol for spiritual emptiness.
  • By focusing on the young and beautiful, Amos 8:13 challenges the idea that youth and strength can protect anyone from the consequences of turning away from God.

Where else these words appear

“faint” Hebrew H5968 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 38:14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
  • Isaiah 51:20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

“thirst” Hebrew H6772 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
  • Nehemiah 9:20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
  • Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

“fair” Hebrew H3303 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
  • 2 Samuel 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
  • Song of Solomon 1:16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.

“men” Hebrew H970 · used in 44 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
  • Isaiah 31:8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
  • Jeremiah 51:22 With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;