Bible Strands
Amos 2:16
Even the bravest of mighty men will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD delivers this declaration through the prophet Amos to Israel, positioned immediately after a description of total military collapse. The oracle targets the nation's leadership and fighting class during a time of impending judgment.
The words — עָר֛וֹם (a.Rom) translates literally as "naked," coupled with יָנ֥וּס (ya.Nus), meaning "he will flee." These terms describe the complete stripping of dignity and defensive capability for the strongest warriors.
The thread — The immediate context in Amos 2:15 establishes that archers, runners, and horsemen will all fail to escape. The specific image of abandoning garments to flee naked reappears in Mark 14:52 when a young man leaves his linen cloth behind.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that human strength and status provide no protection against divine judgment. It demands a sober assessment of vulnerability when the LORD executes his declared utterance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- Mark 14:52 but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.
- Judges 4:17 Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
- 2 Kings 7:8 When the lepers reached the edge of the camp, they went into a tent to eat and drink. Then they carried off the silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid them. On returning, they entered another tent, carried off some items from there, and hid them.
- Jeremiah 48:41 Kirioth has been taken, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.