Amos 2:2

2:2 So I will set Moab on fire,

and it will consume Kerioth’s fortresses.

Moab will perish in the heat of battle

amid war cries and the blaring of the ram’s horn.

Amos 2:5

2:5 So I will set Judah on fire,

and it will consume Jerusalem’s fortresses.”


sn The destruction of Moab by fire is an example of a judgment in kind – as the Moabites committed the crime of “burning,” so the Lord will punish them by setting them on fire.

sn Kerioth was an important Moabite city. See Jer 48:24, 41.

tn Or “die” (KJV, NASB, NRSV, TEV); NAB “shall meet death.”

tn Or “in the tumult.” This word refers to the harsh confusion of sounds that characterized an ancient battle – a mixture of war cries, shouts, shrieks of pain, clashes of weapons, etc.

tn Heb “sound” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV).

sn The ram’s horn (used as a trumpet) was blown to signal the approaching battle.

map For the location of Jerusalem see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.