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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Amos 4  › Amos 4:9

Amos 4:9

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Amos 4:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

King James Version KJV

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

American Standard Version ASV

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: the multitude of your gardens and your vineyards and your fig-trees and your olive-trees hath the palmer-worm devoured: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I have sent destruction on your fields by burning and disease: the increase of your gardens and your vine-gardens, your fig-trees and your olive-trees, has been food for worms: and still you have not come back to me, says the Lord.

Free Bible Version FBV

I struck your many farms and vineyards with blight and mildew; locusts devoured your fig trees and olive trees. But still you did not return to me, declares the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

I haue smitten you with blasting, and mildewe: your great gardens and your vineyardes, and your figtrees, and your oliue trees did the palmer worme deuoure: yet haue ye not returned vnto me, saith the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

I have smitten you with blasting and with mildew, The abundance of your gardens and of your vineyards, And of your figs, and of your olives, Eat doth the palmer-worm, And ye have not turned back unto Me, An affirmation of Jehovah.

World English Bible WEB

“I struck you with blight and mildew many times in your gardens and your vineyards, and the swarming locusts have devoured your fig trees and your olive trees; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says the LORD.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig-trees and your olive-trees increased, the palmer-worm devoured them : yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

I struck you with a burning wind, and with mildew, the palmerworm hath eaten up your many gardens, and your vineyards: your olive groves, and fig groves: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord.

Translation for Translators T4T

I caused your grain fields to dry up; I caused your gardens and vineyards to be struck/destroyed by ◄blight/hot winds► and mildew. I sent locusts to eat the leaves on your fig trees and olive trees, but in spite of that, you rejected me. That is certainly true because I, Yahweh, have said it!

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Amos 4:9

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 4:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB הִכֵּ֣יתִי אֶתְ/כֶם֮ בַּ/שִּׁדָּפ֣וֹן וּ/בַ/יֵּרָקוֹן֒ הַרְבּ֨וֹת גַּנּוֹתֵי/כֶ֧ם וְ/כַרְמֵי/כֶ֛ם וּ/תְאֵנֵי/כֶ֥ם וְ/זֵיתֵי/כֶ֖ם יֹאכַ֣ל הַ/גָּזָ֑ם וְ/לֹֽא שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם עָדַ֖/י נְאֻם יְהוָֽה
הִכֵּ֣יתִי nâkâh H5221 to smite V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs
אֶתְ/כֶם֮ ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff
בַּ/שִּׁדָּפ֣וֹן shᵉdêphâh H7711 blight Prep | N-ms
וּ/בַ/יֵּרָקוֹן֒ yêrâqôwn H3420 mildew Conj | Prep | N-ms
הַרְבּ֨וֹת râbâh H7235 to multiply V-Hiphil-Inf-a
גַּנּוֹתֵי/כֶ֧ם gannâh H1593 garden N-fp | Suff
וְ/כַרְמֵי/כֶ֛ם kerem H3754 vineyard Conj | N-cp | Suff
וּ/תְאֵנֵי/כֶ֥ם tᵉʼên H8384 fig Conj | N-fp | Suff
וְ/זֵיתֵי/כֶ֖ם zayith H2132 olive Conj | N-mp | Suff
יֹאכַ֣ל ʼâkal H398 to eat V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
הַ/גָּזָ֑ם gâzâm H1501 locust Art | N-ms
וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם shûwb H7725 to return V-Qal-Perf-2mp
עָדַ֖/י ʻad H5704 till Prep | Suff
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms
יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Amos 4:9

הִכֵּ֣יתִי nâkâh H5221 "to smite" V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אֶתְ/כֶם֮ ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בַּ/שִּׁדָּפ֣וֹן shᵉdêphâh H7711 "blight" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a blight that destroys crops, causing them to wither and die. It is often used to describe the consequences of disobeying God's commands.
Definition: blighted or blasted thing, blighted, blasted Another spelling of shid.da.phon (שִׁדָּפוֹן "blight" H7711B)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: blasted(-ing). See also: Deuteronomy 28:22; 2 Chronicles 6:28; Haggai 2:17.
וּ/בַ/יֵּרָקוֹן֒ yêrâqôwn H3420 "mildew" Conj | Prep | N-ms
This word describes a type of mildew or paleness that affects plants, like a disease that harms crops. It is mentioned in Deuteronomy, warning the Israelites about the consequences of disobedience.
Definition: 1) mildew, paleness, lividness 1a) mildew, rust 1b) paleness
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: greenish, yellow. See also: Deuteronomy 28:22; Jeremiah 30:6; Haggai 2:17.
הַרְבּ֨וֹת râbâh H7235 "to multiply" V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
גַּנּוֹתֵי/כֶ֧ם gannâh H1593 "garden" N-fp | Suff
A garden is a place where plants and trees are grown, like the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis. This word is used to describe a beautiful and peaceful place. It appears in the Bible as a symbol of paradise.
Definition: garden, orchard Also means: gin.nah (גִּנָּה "garden" H1594)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: garden. See also: Numbers 24:6; Isaiah 65:3; Isaiah 1:29.
וְ/כַרְמֵי/כֶ֛ם kerem H3754 "vineyard" Conj | N-cp | Suff
A vineyard, or kerem, was a garden or plot of land used for growing vines and other crops. In the Bible, vineyards were often used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance, as seen in the book of Isaiah and the parables of Jesus.
Definition: vineyard
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also H1021 (בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם). See also: Genesis 9:20; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 107:37.
וּ/תְאֵנֵי/כֶ֥ם tᵉʼên H8384 "fig" Conj | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to the fig tree or its fruit, and is used in the Bible to describe a common food source in ancient Israel. It appears in stories like the one about Jesus and the fig tree in Matthew.
Definition: fig, fig tree
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: fig (tree). See also: Genesis 3:7; Jeremiah 8:13; Psalms 105:33.
וְ/זֵיתֵי/כֶ֖ם zayith H2132 "olive" Conj | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for olive tree or olive berry, often associated with oil and light. In Deuteronomy 8:8, the olive tree is listed as one of the blessings of the Promised Land, and in Matthew 24:3, Jesus teaches on the Mount of Olives.
Definition: 1) olive, olive tree 1a) olive tree 1b) olives 2) mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: olive (tree, -yard), Olivet. See also: Genesis 8:11; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 52:10.
יֹאכַ֣ל ʼâkal H398 "to eat" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
הַ/גָּזָ֑ם gâzâm H1501 "locust" Art | N-ms
A kind of locust is referred to by this word, also translated as palmer-worm in the KJV. It appears in the Bible as a type of insect.
Definition: locusts
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: palmer-worm. See also: Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25; Amos 4:9.
וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | 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.
שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Qal-Perf-2mp
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
עָדַ֖/י ʻad H5704 "till" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

Study Notes — Amos 4:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 28:22 The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, and with blight and mildew; these will pursue you until you perish.
2 Haggai 2:17 I struck you—all the work of your hands—with blight, mildew, and hail, but you did not turn to Me, declares the LORD.
3 Joel 1:4 What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten.
4 Amos 7:1–2 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up. And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, “Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?”
5 Amos 4:6 “I beset all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.
6 Amos 4:8 People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.
7 Joel 2:25 I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts— the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust — My great army that I sent against you.
8 2 Chronicles 6:28 When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemies besiege them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come,
9 Isaiah 1:5 Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.
10 Jeremiah 3:10 Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.

Amos 4:9 Summary

[Amos 4:9 tells us that God sent problems like blight, mildew, and locusts to the Israelites to help them remember Him and return to Him. Even though they were experiencing hard times, they still didn't turn back to God, which is similar to what happened in Romans 1:21, where people knew God but didn't honor Him. This verse reminds us that God wants us to depend on Him and trust Him, even when things are tough, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By looking at how the Israelites responded, we can learn to be more attentive to God's voice and warnings in our own lives.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the blight, mildew, and locusts in Amos 4:9?

These natural disasters were sent by God as a form of judgment to prompt the Israelites to return to Him, much like the plagues in Exodus 7-12. Despite these events, the people refused to repent and turn back to God.

Why did God strike the Israelites' gardens and vineyards with blight and mildew?

God struck their gardens and vineyards to get their attention and to remind them of their dependence on Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:3, where God humbled the Israelites and fed them with manna to teach them that man does not live by bread alone.

How does Amos 4:9 relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?

This verse demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation, as He is the one who sends blight, mildew, and locusts, and yet the people still refuse to acknowledge Him, highlighting the theme of God's sovereignty seen in Psalm 103:19 and Isaiah 46:10.

What is the main message God is trying to convey through Amos 4:9?

The main message is that despite God's repeated attempts to get the Israelites' attention through various forms of judgment, they still refused to return to Him, emphasizing the importance of repentance and obedience, as seen in Matthew 4:17 and Luke 13:3.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways God is trying to get my attention in my life, and how am I responding to Him?
  2. How can I ensure that I am not ignoring God's warnings and calls to repentance, like the Israelites in Amos 4:9?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing 'blight' or 'mildew', and how can I surrender them to God?
  4. How can I cultivate a heart that is sensitive to God's leading and prompting, rather than hardening my heart like the Israelites?

Gill's Exposition on Amos 4:9

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew,.... "Blasting" is what we commonly call "blights", generally occasioned by an east wind; and so Kimchi interprets the word here used; and the Vulgate

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 4:9

And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I also have given you.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 4:9

To other judgments inflicted on you I have added this also, my hand hath been heavy upon you, I have smitten you with blasting; the excessive heat and drought have turned your corn into black and parched smut or ashes; and mildew; a bane to corn through too much wet; the seasons were extremely unkind, and all spoiled with it. When your gardens, about your houses for convenience and pleasure. Vineyards; planted for your support and to enrich you, to cheer your heart. Fig trees; which were excellent, of very great use and profit in those countries. Olive trees; a principal commodity arose from their oliveyards: all that was for delight, profit, and necessary use. Increased, when they were seemingly most fruitful. The palmer-worm: see ,10-12. Devoured; eat up all, as is the manner of that worm.

Trapp's Commentary on Amos 4:9

Amos 4:9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured [them]: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.Ver. 9. I have smitten you with blasting and mildews] This by immoderate rain; that by drought caused by an east wind, that ventus urens et exsiccans. God cannot possibly want a weapon to tame a rebel. When your gardens and your vineyards increased] Or were trimmed and tricked up. Taxat nimium eorum studium, saith Mercer. The prophet here taxeth their overmuch pains taken and cost cast away in multiplying and dressing their orchards and vineyards; when, in the mean while, they neglected the sincere service of God; and suffered their own hearts to lie like the sluggard’ s field, that was all grown over with thorns and briars, Proverbs 24:31, that is, with lusts and sins, under which lurketh that old serpent. The palmerworm] Which is worse than the locust, as Jerome noteth; for the locust feeds only on the tops of the ears of grain as he flies (and thence hath his name in Greek, áêñéò), but palmerworms stick close to the fruits or flowers they light on; and will not off till all be consumed. It is the last and worst of evils, saith he; and leaves nothing behind it: omnia corrodit et converrit, makes clean work. See Joe 1:4; Joe 1:10-12. Yet have ye not returned unto me] No, not yet; but have rejected the remedy of your recovery: see Amos 4:8.

Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 4:9

(9) Blasting and mildew.—Burning up the corn before it is ready to ear, and producing a tawny yellow, instead of golden red, was another judgment. Nothing escapes the Divine visitation. “Your gardens, vineyards, fig-trees, and olive-trees”—which in a well-watered enclosure might escape the general drought—the locust devours in vast numbers (so the Heb. should be rendered); comp. Joe 1:4.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Amos 4:9

Verse 9. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew] He sent blasting and mildew on the crops, and the locust on the gardens, vineyards, and fields; and this in such a way as to show it was a Divine judgment. They saw this; "yet they did not return to the Lord!"

Cambridge Bible on Amos 4:9

9. Blasting and mildew. The same two words in combination, Deuteronomy 28:22, 1 Kings 8:37, Haggai 2:17. Blasting (cf. Genesis 41:6; Genesis 41:23; Genesis 41:27, “blasted by the east wind”) denotes the disastrous effects produced by the scorching (Hosea 13:15; Jonah 4:8) and destructive (Job 27:21) ‘east wind,’ blowing up hotly from the desert. The ‘east wind’ of the O.T. is something very different from the ‘east wind,’ as known to us: it corresponds to the modern simoom or sirocco (Arab. sherḳ ?ξyeh, or ‘east’ wind,—applied, however, also to winds from the S.E. and S.),—hot winds which in Palestine come up suddenly with great violence, driving clouds of sand before them, and so “withering and burning the growing corn that no animal will touch a blade of it” (Van Lennep, Bible Lands, p. 238). Robinson gives a description of one which he experienced in the extreme S. of Judah (B.R[154], I. 195): “The wind had been all the morning north-east, but at 11 o’clock it suddenly changed to the south, and came upon us with violence and intense heat, until it blew a perfect tempest. The atmosphere was filled with fine particles of sand, forming a bluish haze; the sun was scarcely visible, his disk exhibiting only a dun and sickly hue; and the glow of the wind came upon our faces as from a burning oven.” See also ib. p. 207, II. 123; G. A. Smith, Geogr., pp. 67–69; and Wetzstein’s note in Delitzsch’s Commentary on Job 27:21. By mildew is meant “a blight, in which the ears turn untimely a pale yellow, and have no grain.” The Heb. word signifies (pale and unhealthy) greenness. [154] .R. … Edw. Robinson, Biblical Researches in Palestine (ed. 2, 1856).when your gardens … increased &c.] R.V. the multitude of your gardens … hath the palmerworm devoured. Neither rendering is grammatically possible: the Hebrew is corrupt. Read, with Wellh., δηψαϊι for δψαεϊ, and an excellent sense is at once obtained: “I laid waste your gardens and your vineyards; and your fig-trees and your vines would [freq.] the shearer devour.” The shearer (gβzβm) is a name for a locust, so called from its destructiveness: see p. 85. A visitation of locusts was no uncommon occurrence in Palestine: for a vivid picture of their ravages, see Joe 1:4-12.

Barnes' Notes on Amos 4:9

I have smitten you with blasting - Literally, “an exceeding scorching,” such as the hot east wind produced, and “an exceeding mildew,” a blight, in which the ears turn untimely a pale yellow, and have no grain.

Sermons on Amos 4:9

SermonDescription
Dan Biser The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 3 by Dan Biser This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding properly to God's call, highlighting the consequences of improper responses seen in various biblical examples. It discusses the
C.H. Spurgeon Blight and Mildew and Hail by C.H. Spurgeon C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the destructive nature of blight, mildew, and hail as divine chastisements that can ruin the fruits of our labor, both physically and spiritually. He illus
David Wilkerson God Will Resore All Your Wasted Years by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of two verses from the book of Joel in the Bible. These verses describe the destructive power of worms and insects that devou
H.T. De Villiers Why Revival Tarries by H.T. De Villiers In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the challenges and temptations faced when praying for revival in a world filled with iniquity. He shares his personal experience of feeling
Walter Beuttler Commentary Notes - Joel by Walter Beuttler Walter Beuttler preaches on the Book of Joel, highlighting the devastation caused by locusts as a divine chastisement, leading to the end of daily sacrifices. Joel's prophecy uses
William MacDonald Bristol Conference 1962 - Part 6 by William MacDonald In this sermon, the preacher highlights the issue of luxury, complacency, and ease in today's society, particularly within the church. He references 1 Corinthians chapter 4, where
Peter Hammond Bible Survey - Amos by Peter Hammond Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Amos, a humble and bold shepherd who fearlessly proclaimed God's truth to the Northern tribes of Israel during a time of peace and prosperity.
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