Amos 5:20
Amos 5:20 in Multiple Translations
Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?
Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Will not the day of the Lord be dark and not light? even very dark, with no light shining in it?
Isn't the day of the Lord darkness without light? Yes, pitch dark without a glimmer of light.
Shal not the day of the Lord be darkenes, and not light? euen darkenes and no light in it?
Is not the day of Jehovah darkness and not light, Even thick darkness that hath no brightness?
Won’t the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light: and obscurity, and no brightness in it?
That day, when he punishes people, will certainly be [RHQ] a very dark day [MET], without even a little bit of light.
Berean Amplified Bible — Amos 5:20
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 5:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֲ/לֹא
חֹ֛שֶׁךְ
י֥וֹם
יְהוָ֖ה
וְ/לֹא
א֑וֹר
וְ/אָפֵ֖ל
וְ/לֹא
נֹ֥גַֽהּ
לֽ/וֹ
הֲ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part | Part
חֹ֛שֶׁךְ
chôshek
H2822
darkness
N-ms
י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
א֑וֹר
ʼôwr
H216
light
N-cs
וְ/אָפֵ֖ל
ʼâphêl
H651
gloom
Conj | Adj
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
נֹ֥גַֽהּ
nôgahh
H5051
brightness
N-fs
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | 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 5:20
הֲ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part | 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.
חֹ֛שֶׁךְ
chôshek
H2822
"darkness"
N-ms
This word refers to darkness, both physical and spiritual. It can also mean misery, destruction, or wickedness. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a state of being without light or hope.
Definition: 1) darkness, obscurity 1a) darkness 1b) secret place
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: dark(-ness), night, obscurity. See also: Genesis 1:2; Psalms 35:6; Psalms 18:12.
י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
יְהוָ֖ה
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.
וְ/לֹא
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.
א֑וֹר
ʼôwr
H216
"light"
N-cs
Light, including natural light from the sun or stars, and also spiritual light from God. It can refer to happiness, prosperity, or understanding. In the Bible, God is often described as the source of light and life.
Definition: 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Usage: Occurs in 110 OT verses. KJV: bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. See also: Genesis 1:3; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 4:7.
וְ/אָפֵ֖ל
ʼâphêl
H651
"gloom"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word describes a dark or gloomy place, like a shadow or a cloudy day. It is used in the Bible to set a somber mood, like in Joel 2:2 where a dark and gloomy day is described. It creates a sense of foreboding.
Definition: gloomy, dark
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: very dark. See also: Amos 5:20.
וְ/לֹא
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.
נֹ֥גַֽהּ
nôgahh
H5051
"brightness"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to brightness or brilliancy, like the shining of the sun, and is used in Ezekiel 8:2 to describe a brilliant light that looks like a man.
Definition: brightness Aramaic equivalent: no.gah (נֹ֫גַהּ "daylight" H5053)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: bright(-ness), light, (clear) shining. See also: 2 Samuel 22:13; Ezekiel 1:4; Psalms 18:13.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Amos 5:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Amos 5:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Amos 5:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 5:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 5:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Amos 5:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 5:20
- Cambridge Bible on Amos 5:20
- Barnes' Notes on Amos 5:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Amos 5:20
- Sermons on Amos 5:20
Context — Woe to Rebellious Israel
18Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.
19It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.
20Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?
21“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. 22Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 13:10 | For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 34:12 | As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. |
| 3 | Zephaniah 1:15 | That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, |
| 4 | Job 10:21–22 | before I go—never to return— to a land of darkness and gloom, to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.” |
| 5 | Matthew 22:13 | Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ |
| 6 | Job 3:4–6 | If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above disregard it; may no light shine upon it. May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it. If only darkness had taken that night away! May it not appear among the days of the year; may it never be entered in any of the months. |
| 7 | Nahum 1:8 | But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness. |
| 8 | Jude 1:13 | They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. |
| 9 | Revelation 16:10 | And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish |
Amos 5:20 Summary
The Day of the LORD, mentioned in Amos 5:20, is a future time when God will judge the world and bring darkness, not light. This means that instead of being a happy and joyful time, it will be a time of great sorrow and fear. As seen in Isaiah 13:6, this day will be a time of reckoning, and we should prepare ourselves by turning to God and seeking a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9). By doing so, we can have hope and confidence, even in the face of judgment, knowing that God is our refuge and our salvation (Psalm 27:1).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Day of the LORD refer to in Amos 5:20?
The Day of the LORD refers to a future time of judgment and reckoning, as seen in verses like Isaiah 13:6 and Ezekiel 30:3, where God will pour out His wrath on the wicked and unbelieving.
Why is the Day of the LORD described as darkness and not light?
The Day of the LORD is described as darkness because it will be a time of great sorrow, fear, and judgment, as opposed to a time of joy and celebration, as seen in Amos 5:18-19, where it is likened to fleeing from a lion only to encounter a bear.
Is the Day of the LORD only for the wicked, or does it also affect believers?
While the Day of the LORD is primarily a time of judgment for the wicked, believers should also take heed and prepare themselves, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, where it is described as a day that will come like a thief in the night, and 2 Peter 3:10-14, where believers are encouraged to live holy and godly lives in anticipation of that day.
How can we prepare for the Day of the LORD?
We can prepare for the Day of the LORD by repenting of our sins, seeking a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and living a life of obedience to His Word, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 and 1 John 1:9, where we are encouraged to confess our sins and be reconciled to God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the warning in Amos 5:20 to my own life, and how can I ensure that I am not caught off guard by the Day of the LORD?
- How does the description of the Day of the LORD as 'darkness and not light' challenge my understanding of God's character and His plans for the world?
- In what ways can I use the message of Amos 5:20 to share the Gospel with others and warn them of the coming judgment?
- What are some practical steps that I can take to 'seek the Lord' and 'live' as encouraged in Amos 5:4-6, and how can I apply those principles to my daily life?
- How does the promise of the Day of the LORD as a time of reckoning and judgment encourage me to persevere in my faith and to trust in God's sovereignty?
Gill's Exposition on Amos 5:20
[Shall] not the day of the Lord [be] darkness, and not light?.... The design of such a question is strongly to affirm, that, in this day of the Lord spoken of, there should be nothing but misery and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Amos 5:20
Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Amos 5:20
All these things considered, ye secure, profane, and atheistical scoffers, speak yourselves, will not that day be as dark as I have described, and as little to your comfort?
Trapp's Commentary on Amos 5:20
Amos 5:20 [Shall] not the day of the LORD [be] darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?Ver. 20. Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, &c.] q.d. How say ye now; when thus beset with mischief on all hands, such as ye can neither avoid nor abide, must ye not needs subscribe to the truth of what I said, Amos 5:18, and do here again repeat (that you may the better observe it) with greater emphasis and earnestness? you shall not have the least glimmering of comfort, ease, direction, or good counsel. To what end, then, should you desire this dreadful day of the Lord? Are you in haste to be undone?
Ellicott's Commentary on Amos 5:20
(20) Darkness.—In the form of an interrogative, the condemnation contained in Amos 5:18 is emphatically reasserted. The term rendered “very dark” is that used to denote the gross Egyptian darkness that might be felt (Exodus 10:22), the awful gloom, such as fell on Jerusalem at the Crucifixion, which is always accompanied by the sense of confusion, terror, and intolerable suspense. (Comp. the graphic metaphorical language of Isa 5:30.)
Cambridge Bible on Amos 5:20
20. An emphatic repetition of the thought of Amo 5:18, after the illustration of Amo 5:19.
Barnes' Notes on Amos 5:20
Shall not the Day of the Lord be darkness? - He had described that Day as a day of inevitable destruction, such its man’s own conscience and guilty fears anticipate, and then appeals to their own
Whedon's Commentary on Amos 5:20
18-20. The day of Jehovah a day of calamity and ruin. Woe — Introduces frequently announcements of judgment (Isaiah 5:8 ff; Isaiah 10:1, etc.).
Sermons on Amos 5:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Impetus of Eschatological Verities by Bryan Anthony | Bryan Anthony preaches on the future fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies in Matthew 24, emphasizing that while some events were fulfilled in the first century, the cosmic signs and th |
|
Israel's Coming Restoration by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions and not looking back |
|
John 10:7-13. Christ Explains the Parable of the Good Shepherd. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches on the profound significance of Jesus as the good shepherd, emphasizing that He is the gate to God and the only way to salvation through His sacrificia |
|
A Treatise Concerning God's Teaching, and Christ's Law by Isaac Penington | Isaac Penington preaches about the gathering of God's scattered sheep back to the light and Spirit of Christ, emphasizing the importance of being truly holy and sanctified in Chris |
|
The Value of One Soul by John Henry Jowett | John Henry Jowett preaches on the immense value God places on each soul, emphasizing the deep concern and pursuit of the Shepherd for the one lost sheep. Just as a missing face cre |
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1 Peter 2:25 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the transformative journey of believers as depicted in 1 Peter 2:25, illustrating how they were once lost sheep, straying from the Shepherd, but have now been |
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Epistle 279 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the transformative power of Christ, the heavenly man, who brings believers from death to life through His blood. He encourages the gathered friends of Christ |