Meaning, commentary and cross references
Amos 5:24
“But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
NIV · New International Version
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
WEB · World English Bible
But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
What does Amos 5:24 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Amos 5:24
But let judgments run down as waters,.... Or "roll" (o); 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. (o) "volvatur", Munster, Mercerus, Liveleus, Drusius; "volvat…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Amos 5:21–27
What it was that he required in order to the acceptableness of their sacrifices and without which no sacrifice would be acceptable (Amo 5:24): Let judgment run down as waters, among you, and righteousness as a mighty stream, that is 1. "Let there be a general reformation of manners among you; let religion (God's judgment) and righteousness have their due influence upon you; let your land be watered with it, and let it bear down all the opposition of vice and profaneness; let it run wide as overflowing waters, and yet run strong as might stream." (2.) "In particular, let justice be duly administered by magistrates and rulers; let not the current of it be stopped by partiality and bribery…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Amos 5:24
24. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. 24. Et decurret quasi aquae judicium, et justitia quasi torrens violentus. Interpreters variously expound this verse.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Amos 5:21–27 (WEB)
21I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can’t stand your solemn assemblies. 22Yes, though you offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat animals. 23Take away from me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream. 25“Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, house of Israel? 26You also carried the tent of your king and the shrine of your images, the star of your god, which you made for yourselves. 27Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is the God of Armies.
Cross references
- Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
- Jeremiah 22:3
The LORD says: “Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong. Do no violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.
- Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
- Mark 12:32–34
The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;
- Amos 5:14–15
Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of Armies, will be with you, as you say.
- Amos 5:7
You who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth!
- Job 29:12–17
because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him,