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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Amos 4:8 People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me," declares the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/amos/4-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/30_Amo_04_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Amos 4:8 - Punishment Brings No Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me, declares the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/amos/4-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/amos/4-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/amos/">Amos</a> > <a href="/amos/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/amos/4-7.htm" title="Amos 4:7">◄</a> Amos 4:8 <a href="/amos/4-9.htm" title="Amos 4:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/amos/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/amos/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/amos/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />People staggered from town to town looking for water, but there was never enough. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/amos/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />so two or three cities would wander to another city to drink water, and would not be satisfied; yet you did not return to me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/amos/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/amos/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So two <i>or</i> three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/amos/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So two <i>or</i> three cities wandered to another city to drink water, But they were not satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/amos/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So <i>the people of</i> two <i>or</i> three cities would stagger to another city to drink water, But would not be satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/amos/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220So two or three cities would stagger to another city to drink water, But would not be satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/amos/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“So two or three cities would stagger to another city to drink water, But would not be satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/amos/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So two or three cities would wander around to another city to drink water, But would not be satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/amos/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“So [the people of] two or three cities would stagger into one city to drink water, But would not be satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me [in repentance],” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/amos/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water but were not satisfied, yet you did not return to me. This is the LORD’s declaration.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/amos/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water but were not satisfied, yet you did not return to Me. This is the LORD&#8217s declaration. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/amos/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So two or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water, and were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/amos/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />People from two or three towns would go to a town that still had water, but it wasn't enough. Even then you rejected me. I, the LORD, have spoken! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/amos/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So two or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water, and were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/amos/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So people from two or three cities staggered as they walked to another city in order to get a drink of water. But they couldn't get enough. And you still didn't return to me, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/amos/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Weak with thirst, the people of several cities went to a city where they hoped to find water, but there was not enough to drink. Still you did not come back to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/amos/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the people of two or three cities staggered away to another city in order to obtain drinking water, but you have not returned to me," declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/amos/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,? declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/amos/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />People from two or three cities staggered into one city to get water, but remained thirsty. Still you did not come back to me." The LORD is speaking! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/amos/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So two or three cities staggered to one city to drink water, and were not satisfied: yet you haven't returned to me," says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/amos/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So two or three cities wandered to one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned to me, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/amos/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So two or three cities staggered to one city to drink water, and were not satisfied; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/amos/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And two or three cities have wandered, "" To the same city to drink water, "" And they are not satisfied, "" And you have not turned back to Me,” "" A declaration of YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/amos/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And wandered have two or three cities, Unto the same city to drink water, And they are not satisfied, And ye have not turned back unto Me, An affirmation of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/amos/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And two, three cities wandered about to one city to drink water, and they will not be satisfied: and they turned not back even to me, says Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/amos/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And two and three cities went to one city to drink water, and were not filled: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/amos/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And two and three cities went to one city, in order to drink water, and they were not satisfied. And you did not return to me, says the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/amos/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Two or three cities staggered to another to drink water but were not satisfied; Yet you did not return to me— oracle of the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/amos/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />so two or three towns wandered to one town to drink water, and were not satisfied; yet you did not return to me, says the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/amos/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So the inhabitants of two or three cities gathered into one city to drink water; but they were not satisfied; yet you returned not to me, says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/amos/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And two or three cities shall be gathered to one city to drink water, and they shall not be satisfied, and you did not return to me, says LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/amos/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So two or three cities wandered unto one city To drink water, and were not satisfied; Yet have ye not returned unto Me, Saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/amos/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And <i>the inhabitants of</i> two or three cities shall be gathered to one city to drink water, and they shall not be satisfied: yet ye have not returned to me, saith the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/amos/4-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=611" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/amos/4.htm">Punishment Brings No Repentance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>“I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5128.htm" title="5128: wə·nā·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively.">People staggered</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·ta·yim (Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šā·lōš (Number-fs) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rîm (N-fp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">from city</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">for water</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: liš·tō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but they were not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7646.htm" title="7646: yiś·bā·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be sated, satisfied or surfeited. Or sabeay; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. Fill to satisfaction.">satisfied;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">yet you did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šaḇ·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">return</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘ā·ḏay (Prep:: 1cs) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to Me,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>“I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-3.htm">Jeremiah 14:3-4</a></span><br />The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. / The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17</a></span><br />The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-22.htm">Jeremiah 14:22</a></span><br />Can the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies alone send showers? Is this not by You, O LORD our God? So we put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Deuteronomy 28:23-24</a></span><br />The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. / The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a></span><br />Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-13.htm">2 Chronicles 7:13</a></span><br />If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-10.htm">Haggai 1:10-11</a></span><br />Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. / I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Joel 1:20</a></span><br />Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-17.htm">Zechariah 14:17</a></span><br />And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Psalm 107:33-34</a></span><br />He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, / and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a></span><br />Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-13.htm">John 4:13-14</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-16.htm">Revelation 7:16</a></span><br />‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14-16</a></span><br />After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. / So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. / He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17-18</a></span><br />Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So two or three cities wandered to one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have you not returned to me, said the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">two.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-5.htm">1 Kings 18:5</a></b></br> And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17,18</a></b></br> <i>When</i> the poor and needy seek water, and <i>there is</i> none, <i>and</i> their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, <i>I</i> the God of Israel will not forsake them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/14-3.htm">Jeremiah 14:3</a></b></br> And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, <i>and</i> found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.</p><p class="hdg">but.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm">Ezekiel 4:16</a></b></br> Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/6-14.htm">Micah 6:14</a></b></br> Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down <i>shall be</i> in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and <i>that</i> which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a></b></br> Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages <i>to put it</i> into a bag with holes.</p><p class="hdg">yet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6,9-11</a></b></br> And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Jeremiah 23:14</a></b></br> I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/7-10.htm">Hosea 7:10</a></b></br> And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">City</a> <a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/amos/4-1.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/joel/2-26.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/psalms/107-27.htm">Staggered</a> <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">Three</a> <a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/hosea/7-13.htm">Wandered</a> <a href="/hosea/9-17.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/joel/3-18.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/4-11.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/amos/5-3.htm">City</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-5.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/micah/6-14.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Staggered</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Three</a> <a href="/amos/9-14.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/amos/5-4.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Wandered</a> <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/4-1.htm">He reproves Israel for oppression,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/4-4.htm">for idolatry,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/4-6.htm">and for their incorrigibleness.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/amos/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/amos/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/amos/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>People staggered from city to city for water to drink</b><br>This phrase highlights the dire situation faced by the Israelites due to a severe drought. In the ancient Near East, water was a precious resource, and its scarcity often led to desperation. The imagery of people staggering suggests exhaustion and desperation, emphasizing the severity of the drought. This situation is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God used natural phenomena to draw His people back to Him, such as the famine in the time of Elijah (1 Kings 17). The physical thirst symbolizes a deeper spiritual thirst, pointing to the need for spiritual renewal and dependence on God.<p><b>but they were not satisfied</b><br>Despite their efforts to find water, the people remained unsatisfied, indicating that their physical needs were not met. This dissatisfaction can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual emptiness. In the Bible, true satisfaction is often linked to a relationship with God, as seen in <a href="/psalms/107-9.htm">Psalm 107:9</a>, which states that God satisfies the thirsty soul. The inability to find satisfaction despite their efforts underscores the futility of seeking fulfillment apart from God.<p><b>yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD</b><br>This phrase reveals the purpose behind the drought: to prompt the Israelites to return to God. The use of "return" suggests repentance and a turning back to God, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic books. Despite the hardships, the people failed to recognize the divine call to repentance. This reflects a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament, where God uses various means to draw His people back to Him, yet they often remain unresponsive. The declaration by the LORD emphasizes His authority and the seriousness of the call to repentance. This call to return is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest (<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a>), highlighting the continuity of God's desire for a restored relationship with His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/amos.htm">Amos</a></b><br>A prophet from Tekoa, a small town in Judah, who was called by God to deliver messages of judgment to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, which had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and social injustice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cities.htm">Cities</a></b><br>Represents the various locations within Israel where people sought water, symbolizing their desperate search for sustenance and relief.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is calling His people to repentance through the prophet Amos.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/drought.htm">Drought</a></b><br>A specific event of judgment used by God to awaken Israel to their spiritual condition and need for repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_thirst_and_satisfaction.htm">Spiritual Thirst and Satisfaction</a></b><br>Just as physical thirst drives people to seek water, spiritual thirst should drive us to seek God. True satisfaction is found only in a relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>God's judgments are not merely punitive but are intended to lead His people back to Him. We must recognize His discipline as a call to return to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Israel's search for satisfaction apart from God illustrates the futility of idolatry. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols that leave us spiritually unsatisfied.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_persistent_pursuit.htm">God's Persistent Pursuit</a></b><br>Despite Israel's repeated failures, God continues to call them back. His love and patience are evident, encouraging us to respond to His call without delay.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_intercession.htm">Community and Intercession</a></b><br>The communal aspect of Israel's judgment reminds us of our responsibility to intercede for our communities and nations, seeking God's mercy and revival.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_secrets_belong_solely_to_the_lord.htm">What does 'Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_drought_hit_one_city,_spare_another.htm">Amos 4:7–8 – How could drought selectively strike one city while sparing another, and is there any scientific basis for this claim? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_accurate_is_israel's_fall_to_sodom's.htm">Amos 4:11 - How accurate is the parallel between Israel's downfall and God's earlier destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_people_enter_hell_right_after_death.htm">Why did Jeshurun grow fat and forsake God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - This want of rain produced great dearth of water to drink, and persons had to go long distances to procure supplies. <span class="cmt_word">Wandered</span>; literally <span class="accented">trembled</span>, staggered, as spent and exhausted by thirst. The word is used in <a href="/psalms/59-15.htm">Psalm 59:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/109-10.htm">Psalm 109:10</a>. The supply thus used was soon exhausted, and brought no permanent relief. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/amos/4-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">People staggered</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָע֡וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5128.htm">Strong's 5128: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from city</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרִ֜ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֥יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for water</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to drink,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(liš·tō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they were not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">satisfied;</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂבָּ֑עוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·bā·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7646.htm">Strong's 7646: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be sated, satisfied or surfeited</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet you have not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">returned</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(šaḇ·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Me,”</span><br /><span class="heb">עָדַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·ḏay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻם־</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/amos/4-8.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 4:8 So two or three cities staggered (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/4-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 4:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 4:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/4-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 4:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 4:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>