Amos 5:24

24 But let justice roll on like the water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:24 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:24

But let judgments run down as waters
Or "roll" ^F15; in abundance, with great rapidity, bearing down all before them, which nothing can resist; signifying the plenty of justice done in the land, the full and free exercise of it, without any stoppage or intermission: and righteousness as a mighty stream;
the same thing expressed in different words; though some think that not the execution of judgment and justice by men is here exhorted to, but the vindictive justice of God is threatened; which like a mighty torrent of water should come down, overwhelm, bear away, and destroy all before it, even all the transgressors in Israel.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (lgyw) "volvatur", Munster, Mercerus, Liveleus, Drusius; "volvat se", Montanus, Vatablus; "revolvet se", Piscator; "provolvatur", Cocceius.

Amos 5:24 In-Context

22 Yes, [even] if you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept [them], and I will not look at the fellowship offerings of your fattened animals.

23 Remove from me the noise of your songs, and I do not want to hear the melody of your harps!

24 But let justice roll on like the water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

25 Did you bring to me sacrifices and offering[s] those forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?

26 And you will take up Sikkuth, your king, and Kaiwan, your images, the star of your gods which you made for yourselves.