The passage highlights that Edom’s greatest sin wasn't just aggression, but the perversion of kinship, turning the natural bond of brotherhood into perpetual, ruthless hatred. This profound violation of what should have been deep affection, described as "casting off all pity" and "keeping wrath forever," is why God’s judgment is so severe.
Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever. So I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Amos begins by pronouncing judgment on the nations surrounding Israel, starting with Damascus. He then moves to Edom, which has a unique and tragic relationship with Israel as descendants of brothers Esau and Jacob. The specific grievance against Edom is their relentless, merciless hatred and violence towards their own kin, Israel, throughout their history.
Why does God seem so angry about Edom's actions? It wasn't just any violence; it was violence against family.
Amos highlights a profound betrayal in this verse: Edom's aggression against Israel. While Edom and Israel were nations, they were also literal blood relatives, descendants of brothers Esau and Jacob.
A Divine Mandate for Kinship
God had established clear principles for how these brother nations should relate:
Edom's offense wasn't just a political dispute; it was a violation of a divinely ordained brotherhood. They 'pursued his brother with the sword,' actively seeking to harm and destroy their own kin, a profound offense in God's eyes.
What does it mean to 'cast off all pity' and 'keep wrath forever'? This verse paints a chilling picture of a heart turned hard.
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Beyond the act of aggression, Amos zeroes in on the internal state of Edom's heart. The language used is visceral and deeply revealing:
The 'Corrupted Compassions'
The Everlasting Grudge
Understand the original words
pesha' · Hebrew Noun
A willful violation of God’s law or a departure from the path of righteousness, often implying rebellion against covenant obligations. It denotes an act that breaks a relationship or covenant.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel, revealing His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature in His relationship with His people.
Edom · Hebrew Noun
A descendant of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. The Edomites were historically hostile neighbors to Israel, representing a nation that failed to show fraternal kindness.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A weapon of war and judgment. In Scripture, it often symbolizes conflict, divine judgment, or the invasive power of an enemy.
aph · Hebrew Noun
The inner emotional response to perceived injury or injustice. While not always sinful, it is frequently condemned in Scripture when it becomes unrestrained, vengeful, or devoid of mercy.
esh · Hebrew Noun
Often used as an instrument of divine judgment, fire represents God's holiness consuming impurities and His righteous wrath against sin and rebellion.
armon · Hebrew Noun
Defensive structures or fortresses, often representing a nation's security, pride, or military power, which are ultimately vulnerable before God's judgment.
Amos' condemnation of Edom isn't just about a single act, but a deep-seated, generations-long hatred. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were commanded by God to live in peace with their brother nation, Israel (descended from Jacob). Yet, they consistently chose violence, 'casting off all pity' and nurturing their anger, a betrayal that God would not overlook.
c. 13th century BC
Exodus and Wilderness Journey
During Israel's exodus from Egypt, the Edomites, descendants of Esau (Jacob's brother), refused them passage through their land, even threatening hostility. This marked an early point of conflict rooted in their shared ancestry.
c. 10th century BC
David's Conquest of Edom
The Kingdom of Judah, under King David, conquered Edom, establishing garrisons there to maintain control and prevent further aggression. This period saw Edom under subjugation to Israel.
c. 840 BC
Edomite Revolt
During the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, Edom successfully revolted and gained its independence, demonstrating a persistent animosity towards Judah that continued through subsequent reigns.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Amos Delivers Prophecy
The prophet Amos, active during the reigns of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel, issues a strong condemnation against Edom for its relentless and pitiless hostility towards its 'brother' nation, Israel.
c. 730s BC
Edomite Invasions of Judah
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, Edomite forces invaded and plundered parts of Judah, capturing and carrying away Israelites as captives, indicating continued aggression.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Edomite Complicity
The Edomites actively participated with the Babylonians in the destruction of Jerusalem, showing joy over Judah's downfall and even seizing territories, a betrayal highlighted in later prophetic writings like Obadiah.
This prophecy directly addresses Edom's sin against their 'brother Jacob,' echoing Amos's condemnation for violence and lack of pity.
Genesis 27:41This passage describes Esau's original grudge against Jacob, providing the historical and familial context for the perpetual wrath mentioned in Amos.
Psalm 137:7This Psalm reflects the deep-seated hostility of Edom towards Jerusalem during its downfall, illustrating the 'keeping wrath forever' that Amos condemns.
Ezekiel 35:5-6This passage from Ezekiel condemns Edom for their ancient hatred and violence against Israel, mirroring the accusations of relentless anger and cruelty found in Amos.
Malachi 1:2-3Malachi reiterates God's love for Jacob (Israel) over Esau (Edom), referencing Edom's destructive actions and the resulting desolation of their mountains, which aligns with Amos's judgment.
barnesAmos 1:11: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:"
Edom - God had impressed on Israel its relation of brotherhood to Edom. Moses expressed it to Edom himself , and, after the suspicious refusal of Edom to allow Israel to march on the highway through his territory, he speaks as…
calvinAmos 1:11-12: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:"
- Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpet…
The passage highlights that Edom’s greatest sin wasn't just aggression, but the perversion of kinship, turning the natural bond of brotherhood into perpetual, ruthless hatred. This profound violation of what should have been deep affection, described as "casting off all pity" and "keeping wrath forever," is why God’s judgment is so severe.
Amos begins by pronouncing judgment on the nations surrounding Israel, starting with Damascus. He then moves to Edom, which has a unique and tragic relationship with Israel as descendants of brothers Esau and Jacob. The specific grievance against Edom is their relentless, merciless hatred and violence towards their own kin, Israel, throughout their history.
Amos begins by pronouncing judgment on the nations surrounding Israel, starting with Damascus. He then moves to Edom, which has a unique and tragic relationship with Israel as descendants of brothers Esau and Jacob. The specific grievance against Edom is their relentless, merciless hatred and violence towards their own kin, Israel, throughout their history.
"Thus says the LORD:
“For three transgressions of Edom,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because he pursued his brother with the sword
and cast off all pity,
and his anger tore perpetually,…" — The passage highlights that Edom’s greatest sin wasn't just aggression, but the *perversion of kinship*, turning the natural bond of brotherhood into perpetual, ruthless hatred. This profound violati…
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Last reviewed October 2026