Amos 5:20

20 Shall not the Yom Hashem be choshech, and not ohr? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?

Amos 5:20 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:20

[Shall] not the day of the Lord [be] darkness, and not light?
&c.] 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 distress, and no prosperity and happiness, at least to the wicked Israelites, or the unbelieving Jews: even very dark, and no brightness in it?
signifying that there should be no deliverance, nor the least glimmering view or hope of it; that the calamity should be so very great, and the destruction so entire, that there should be no mixture of mercy, nor the least appearance of relief.

Amos 5:20 In-Context

18 Hoy unto you that desire the Yom Hashem! Why do ye seek it? The Yom Hashem is choshech, and not ohr.

19 As if a man did flee from an ari, and a dov met him; or went into the bais, and leaned his hand on the kir (wall), and a nachash bit him.

20 Shall not the Yom Hashem be choshech, and not ohr? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?

21 I hate, I despise your chagim (religious festivals), and I will not stand in your atzerot (solemn assemblies).

22 Though ye offer Me olot and your minchot, I will not accept them; neither will I regard your choice shelamim (peace offerings).