Amos 2:6
“Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes;”
What does Amos 2:6 mean?
Amos is speaking on behalf of God, announcing judgment against Israel for its repeated injustices. The rhythmic language ("three transgressions, yes, for four") isn't about literal numbers, but rather a way of saying the wrongdoing has been ongoing and persistent, reaching a breaking point. God won't overlook it any longer. The specific wrongs mentioned reveal what troubled Amos most: the wealthy and powerful were literally selling poor people into debt slavery or harsh treatment for trivial amounts of money. Someone might be forced into servitude over shoes or a few coins. This wasn't just poverty or misfortune, but systematic exploitation where human dignity was treated as worthless. When God says the "righteous" are being sold, Amos means those vulnerable people who were trying to live faithfully despite their circumstances. For many of us in hard seasons, this word speaks to how much God notices when power is abused against those with the least defense.