Amos 5:24

24 "But let ¹justice roll down like waters 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 "Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.

23 "Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.

24 "But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

25 "Did you present Me with sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel?

26 "You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods which you made for yourselves.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 45:9; Micah 6:8