Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

AMOS 8:4KJV
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Amos 8:4 (KJV)

What does Amos 8:4 mean?

Amos 8:4 is a warning to people who take advantage of the poor and powerless, causing them to suffer or disappear from the land. The verse calls out those who "swallow up the needy" and work to make the poor fail, showing God's concern for justice and fairness.

In this verse, the prophet Amos is speaking on God's behalf to the wealthy and influential in Israel. The setting is a time when the rich were exploiting the vulnerable, using their power to increase their own wealth at the expense of others. The verse highlights the seriousness of this injustice and sets the stage for God's coming judgment on such behavior.

The Hebrew behind Amos 8:4

  • "Hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word is more than just listening; it often carries the sense of paying attention and responding. Amos is demanding that the powerful truly take to heart what is being said.
  • "Swallow up" (שָׁאַף, sha'aph): This word can mean to gulp down or consume greedily. It paints a vivid picture of the rich devouring the needy, not just ignoring them but actively destroying their well-being.
  • "Needy" (אֶבְיוֹן, 'evyon): This refers to people in real need or poverty, those lacking basic resources. The focus is on those who are vulnerable and unable to defend themselves.
  • "Make...fail" (שָׁבַת, shavat): This word is often used for ceasing or causing to stop. Here, it suggests causing the poor to disappear or be wiped out from the land, not just making life hard for them but erasing their presence.

Why Amos 8:4 matters

  • Amos 8:4 clears up any idea that God is indifferent to social injustice; the verse shows that God sees and condemns the mistreatment of the poor.
  • The verse emphasizes that the problem is not just neglect but active harm—those addressed are accused of "swallowing up" the needy, not just failing to help them.
  • In the wider context of Amos, this verse is part of a larger warning that judgment is coming for those who use their power to oppress others, connecting personal actions to national consequences.

Where else these words appear

“up” 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.

“poor” 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.

“needy” Hebrew H34 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 23:6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
  • Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
  • Proverbs 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

“make” Hebrew H7673 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
  • Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.