Amos 2:14
Amos 2:14 in Multiple Translations
Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:
And flight shall perish from the swift; and the strong shall not strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself;
And flight will be impossible for the quick-footed, and the force of the strong will become feeble, and the man of war will not get away safely:
Not even your fastest runners will escape; strong men will lose their strength. Even the greatest warrior will not be able to save his life.
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mightie saue his life.
And perished hath refuge from the swift, And the strong strengtheneth not his power, And the mighty delivereth not his soul.
Flight will perish from the swift. The strong won’t strengthen his force. The mighty won’t deliver himself.
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:
And flight shall perish from the swift, and the valiant shall not possess his strength, neither shall the strong save his life.
Even if you run fast, you will not escape; even if you are strong, it will be as though you are weak, and warriors will be unable to save themselves.
Berean Amplified Bible — Amos 2:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Amos 2:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אָבַ֤ד
מָנוֹס֙
מִ/קָּ֔ל
וְ/חָזָ֖ק
לֹא
יְאַמֵּ֣ץ
כֹּח֑/וֹ
וְ/גִבּ֖וֹר
לֹא
יְמַלֵּ֥ט
נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ
וְ/אָבַ֤ד
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
מָנוֹס֙
mânôwç
H4498
refuge
N-ms
מִ/קָּ֔ל
qal
H7031
swift
Prep | Adj
וְ/חָזָ֖ק
châzâq
H2389
strong
Conj | Adj
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יְאַמֵּ֣ץ
ʼâmats
H553
to strengthen
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
כֹּח֑/וֹ
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms | Suff
וְ/גִבּ֖וֹר
gibbôwr
H1368
mighty man
Conj | Adj
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יְמַלֵּ֥ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Amos 2:14
וְ/אָבַ֤ד
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
מָנוֹס֙
mânôwç
H4498
"refuge"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means a place to escape or flee to, like a refuge. It appears in the Bible as a way to describe a safe haven. In the KJV, it is translated as refuge or flight.
Definition: 1) flight, refuge, place of escape 1a) flight 1b) refuge, place of escape
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] apace, escape, way to flee, flight, refuge. See also: 2 Samuel 22:3; Jeremiah 16:19; Psalms 59:17.
מִ/קָּ֔ל
qal
H7031
"swift"
Prep | Adj
This word means swift or light, describing something or someone that moves quickly, like the swift horses in Solomon's chariots in 1 Kings 4:26.
Definition: 1) swift, light, fleet 1a) swift 1b) one who is swift
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: light, swift(-ly). See also: 2 Samuel 2:18; Isaiah 30:16; Isaiah 5:26.
וְ/חָזָ֖ק
châzâq
H2389
"strong"
Conj | Adj
Strong refers to something or someone powerful, but often in a bad sense, like being severe or hard, as translated in the KJV.
Definition: 1) strong, stout, mighty 1a) strong 1a1) severe, sharp, hot 1a2) firm, hard 1b) a strong one (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er). See also: Exodus 3:19; 1 Kings 18:2; Psalms 35:10.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְאַמֵּ֣ץ
ʼâmats
H553
"to strengthen"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to be strong or courageous, like in Deuteronomy 31:6, where Moses tells the Israelites to be brave. It can also mean to strengthen or secure something. English Bibles often translate it as 'be courageous' or 'strengthen'.
Definition: 1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard 1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold 1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure 1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to 1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed). See also: Genesis 25:23; 2 Chronicles 13:18; Psalms 18:18.
כֹּח֑/וֹ
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
וְ/גִבּ֖וֹר
gibbôwr
H1368
"mighty man"
Conj | Adj
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Definition: adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. See also: Genesis 6:4; 2 Chronicles 17:16; Psalms 19:6.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְמַלֵּ֥ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
Study Notes — Amos 2:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Amos 2:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Amos 2:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 2:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 2:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Amos 2:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 2:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Amos 2:14
- Cambridge Bible on Amos 2:14
- Barnes' Notes on Amos 2:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Amos 2:14
- Sermons on Amos 2:14
Context — Judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel
12“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
13Behold, I am about to crush you in your place as with a cart full of grain.
14Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.
15The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life. 16Even the bravest of mighty men will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 9:23 | This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. |
| 2 | Psalms 33:16 | No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 9:11 | I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all. |
| 4 | Amos 9:1–3 | I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. |
| 5 | Job 11:20 | But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 30:16–17 | “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster. A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee, until you are left alone like a pole on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill. |
Amos 2:14 Summary
[Amos 2:14 is telling us that, no matter how fast, strong, or powerful we think we are, we can't escape God's judgment on our own. This is because, as seen in Jeremiah 23:24, God is everywhere and sees everything, and as stated in Psalm 139:7-10, no one can hide from Him. We need to trust in God's power and mercy, rather than our own abilities, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, where it says to trust in the Lord with all our heart. By putting our trust in God, we can find true strength and salvation, as seen in Romans 3:23-24, where it says that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, but can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main idea of Amos 2:14?
The main idea of Amos 2:14 is that no matter how swift, strong, or mighty someone is, they will not be able to escape God's judgment, as seen in this verse and supported by other scriptures like Jeremiah 23:24 and Psalm 139:7-10.
Why does the verse say that the strong will not prevail by his strength?
The verse says this because, in God's judgment, human strength is no match for His power, as stated in Isaiah 40:29-31, where it says that even the strongest will tire and fail without God's help.
How does this verse relate to the idea of trust in God?
This verse relates to the idea of trust in God by showing that our strength and abilities are not enough to save us, and that we must trust in God's power and mercy, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where it says to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
What is the significance of the phrase 'the mighty will not save his life'?
The phrase 'the mighty will not save his life' signifies that, in the face of God's judgment, even the most powerful and self-sufficient people will be unable to save themselves, and will need to rely on God's mercy, as seen in Romans 3:23-24, where it says that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I rely on my own strength and abilities, rather than trusting in God's power and mercy?
- How can I apply the truth of Amos 2:14 to my own life, recognizing the limitations of my own strength and the sufficiency of God's power?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to surrender my own strength and abilities, and trust in God's power and guidance?
- How can I use this verse to encourage and comfort others who may be facing challenges and difficulties, and to point them to God's power and mercy?
Gill's Exposition on Amos 2:14
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift,.... They should be so straitened and cooped up, and be so loaded with pressures, that those, as swift of foot as Asahel, should not be able to make
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 2:14
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift - even the
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 2:14
Therefore; because they first loaded God with their sins, and now he loads them with punishments, no way of escape shall be left. The flight shall perish from the swift; not by swiftness of foot fleeing from the judgments, for their enemies shall be swifter than they, . The strong shall not strengthen his force; natural strength of body shall not deliver; such, though they might do more than weaker men, yet shall not save themselves, for they shall not know how to use their strength they shall want courage to do it. The mighty, the valiant, and man of greatest courage, shall not be able to deliver himself, his courage shall fail.
Trapp's Commentary on Amos 2:14
Amos 2:14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:Ver. 14. Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift] Men are apt to bless themselves when God curseth, Deuteronomy 29:19, and to bind upon impurity in a common calamity, to make fair weather, when such a tempest is up as shall never be blown over. Or, if worse come, then, as all creatures run to their refuges, Proverbs 30:25 Psalms 104:18 Proverbs 18:11 Daniel 4:12; Daniel 4:14 Judges 9:50-51 (the hunted hare runs to the form, to the bushes that she formerly haunted, but now these cannot save her), so men in misery bethink themselves of and betake themselves to creature comforts and refuges, either natural, or artificial, as here, but these all serve them as Absalom’ s mule did her master, hanging between heaven and earth, but rejected of both. Let a man be as swift as Asahel, God can easily overtake him; his sin will find him out, and he shall but in running from his death run to it; as the historian speaketh of those Scots defeated by the English at Musselborough field, that they so strained themselves in running for their lives that they fell down breathless and dead. Surely as the coney that flees to the holes in the rocks doth easily avoid the dogs that pursue her, when the hare that trusts in the swiftness of her legs is at length overtaken and torn in pieces; so those that trust in God shall be secured, whereas those that confide in themselves or the creature shall be surprised, and come to an ill end. David ran to God in distress and was relieved; Saul goes to the witch, and from thence to the sword’ s point; Judas to the Pharisees, and thence to the halter. The strong shall not strengthen his force] But be made weak as water. "None of the men of might have found their hands," Psalms 76:5; their hands are palsied, their sinews cracked and crippled. It is God that both strengtheneth and weakeneth the arms in the day of battle, Ezekiel 30:24.
Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 2:14
(14) This doom Amos darkly foreshadows to be invasion and military overthrow, with all its attendant calamities.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Amos 2:14
Verse 14. The flight shall perish from the swift] The swiftest shall not be able to save himself from a swifter destruction. None, by might, by counsel, or by fleetness, shall be able to escape from the impending ruin. In a word, God has so fully determined to avenge the quarrel of his broken covenant, that all attempts to escape from his judgments shall be useless.
Cambridge Bible on Amos 2:14
Amos 2:6-16. The sin of Israel, and its punishment 6–16. At last Amos comes to Israel. The Israelites might listen with equanimity, or even with satisfaction, whilst their neighbours’ faults were being exposed: but they now find that precisely the same standard is to be applied to themselves. The stereotyped form is not preserved after the first verse; both the indictment and the punishment being developed at much greater length than in the case of any of the previous nations. The indictment (Amos 2:6-8) consists of four counts: 1. maladministration of justice; 2. oppression of the poor; 3. immorality; 4. inordinate self-indulgence, practised in the name of religion—all, in view of the signal favours conferred by Jehovah upon Israel in the past, aggravated by ingratitude (Amos 2:9-12). The judgement, viz. defeat and flight before the foe, follows in Amos 2:13-16.
Barnes' Notes on Amos 2:14
Israel relied, against God, on his own strength. “Have we not,” they said, “taken to us horns by our own strength?” Amos 6:13.
Whedon's Commentary on Amos 2:14
13-16. The punishment. Righteous retribution will overtake the sinful nation.
Sermons on Amos 2:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Punishment of a Privileged People by Aaron Dunlop | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the intensity of the message of punishment on a privileged people who have heard and rejected the Gospel. The book of Obadiah, with its brev |
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Guide Posts and Warning Signs by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal life verses that have guided him throughout the years. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused on God and seeking a personal |
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"We Don't Know God!" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the importance of truly knowing God, highlighting how many people may know about God but not truly know Him intimately. It shares stories of past revivals an |
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The Knowledge of God by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the importance of knowing and understanding God. He quotes Jeremiah 9:23-24, where God declares that true boasting should come fr |
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"We Are in Grave Danger, when..." by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the danger of placing our confidence in our own accomplishments rather than in Jesus. It warns against the folly of relying on personal achievements, highlig |
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Gods Order in Christ - Part 1 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of heavenly order and how it has been disrupted by Satan. However, Christ is the one who restores this divine order through hi |
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Guidelines to Freedom Part 1 - Who Takes First Place? by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the transformative power of the Ten Commandments for believers. He explains that the law of God reveals our sinfulness and leads us to salva |