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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 5:20 Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/amos/5-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/30_Amo_05_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Amos 5:20 - The Day of the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.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/5-19.htm" title="Amos 5:19">◄</a> Amos 5:20 <a href="/amos/5-21.htm" title="Amos 5:21">►</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/5.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/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/amos/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Yes, the day of the LORD will be dark and hopeless, without a ray of joy or hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/amos/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/amos/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/amos/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Shall</i> not the day of the LORD <i>be</i> darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/amos/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Is</i> not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? <i>Is it not</i> very dark, with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/amos/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>Will</i> the day of the LORD not<i> be</i> darkness instead of light, Even gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/amos/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Will not the day of the LORD be darkness instead of light, Even gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/amos/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>Will</i> not the day of the LORD <i>be</i> darkness instead of light, Even gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/amos/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Will</i> not the day of Yahweh <i>be</i> darkness instead of light, Even thick darkness with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/amos/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, instead of light, Even very dark with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/amos/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Won’t the day of the LORD be darkness rather than light, even gloom without any brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/amos/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Won&#8217t the Day of the LORD be darkness rather than light, even gloom without any brightness in it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/amos/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/amos/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The day when the LORD judges will be dark, very dark, without a ray of light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/amos/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/amos/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The day of the LORD brings darkness and not light. It is pitch black, with no light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/amos/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The day of the LORD will bring darkness and not light; it will be a day of gloom, without any brightness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/amos/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness, and not light— pitch black at that, without a ray of sunshine?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/amos/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/amos/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Don't you realize the LORD's day of judgment will bring darkness, not light--gloomy blackness, not bright light? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/amos/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Won't the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/amos/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/amos/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Won’t the day of Yahweh be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/amos/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Is not the Day of YHWH darkness and not light, "" Even thick darkness that has no brightness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/amos/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Is not the day of Jehovah darkness and not light, Even thick darkness that hath no brightness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/amos/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness and not light? and dark and no shining to it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/amos/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light: and obscurity, and no brightness in it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/amos/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Will not the day of the Lord be darkness and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/amos/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Truly, the day of the LORD will be darkness, not light, gloom without any brightness! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/amos/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/amos/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Such is the day of the LORD; it is darkness and not light; yea, it is a day of thick darkness and no brightness is in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/amos/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In this way the day of LORD JEHOVAH is dark and not light; it is clouded over and there is no brightness in it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/amos/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/amos/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? and is not this <i>day</i> gloom without brightness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/amos/5-20.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=902" 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/5.htm">The Day of the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">the Day</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.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥō·šeḵ (N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">be darkness</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.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/216.htm" title="216: ’ō·wr (N-cs) -- A light. From 'owr; illumination or luminary.">light,</a> <a href="/hebrew/651.htm" title="651: wə·’ā·p̄êl (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Gloomy. From an unused root meaning to set as the sun; dusky.">even gloom</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.">with no</a> <a href="/hebrew/5051.htm" title="5051: nō·ḡah (N-fs) -- Brightness. From nagahh; brilliancy.">brightness</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">in it?</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.…<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="/isaiah/13-9.htm">Isaiah 13:9-10</a></span><br />Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. / For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-1.htm">Joel 2:1-2</a></span><br />Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near— / a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-14.htm">Zephaniah 1:14-15</a></span><br />The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">Matthew 24:29-30</a></span><br />Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ / At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-30.htm">Isaiah 5:30</a></span><br />In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Jeremiah 13:16</a></span><br />Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/32-7.htm">Ezekiel 32:7-8</a></span><br />When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. / All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you, and I will bring darkness upon your land,’ declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-10.htm">Joel 2:10-11</a></span><br />Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. / The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-6.htm">Zechariah 14:6-7</a></span><br />On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. / It will be a unique day known only to the LORD, without day or night; but when evening comes, there will be light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Revelation 6:12-13</a></span><br />And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, / and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-22.htm">Isaiah 8:22</a></span><br />Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-2.htm">Isaiah 60:2</a></span><br />For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-30.htm">Matthew 25:30</a></span><br />And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25-26</a></span><br />There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Isaiah 34:4</a></span><br />All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?</p><p class="hdg">darkness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/3-4.htm">Job 3:4-6</a></b></br> Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-21.htm">Job 10:21,22</a></b></br> Before I go <i>whence</i> I shall not return, <i>even</i> to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-10.htm">Isaiah 13:10</a></b></br> For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joel/3-15.htm">Brightness</a> <a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-12.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/hosea/1-10.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Light</a> <a href="/acts/27-20.htm">Ray</a> <a href="/joel/3-15.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Thick</a> <a href="/amos/2-15.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/habakkuk/3-4.htm">Brightness</a> <a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/jonah/1-13.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Light</a> <a href="/acts/27-20.htm">Ray</a> <a href="/nahum/3-3.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Thick</a> <a href="/amos/8-8.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/5-1.htm">A lamentation for Israel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/5-4.htm">An exhortation to repentance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">God rejects their hypocritical service.</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/5.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/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light</b><br>The "Day of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, signifying a time of divine intervention, judgment, and salvation. In Amos, this day is portrayed as a time of darkness, contrary to the expectations of Israel, who anticipated it as a time of deliverance and blessing. The imagery of darkness suggests judgment and calamity, aligning with other prophetic writings such as <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2</a> and <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Zephaniah 1:15</a>, where the Day of the LORD is described as a day of wrath and distress. This phrase challenges the complacency of those who assume they are secure in their covenant relationship with God, highlighting the need for genuine repentance and righteousness.<p><b>even gloom with no brightness in it</b><br>The continuation of the imagery with "gloom" and "no brightness" emphasizes the severity and totality of the judgment. This description underscores the absence of hope or escape for those who have turned away from God's commands. The use of such stark imagery serves as a warning to the Israelites, who had become complacent in their religious practices, thinking that ritual observance was sufficient without true obedience and justice. This aligns with the broader message of Amos, which calls for social justice and sincere worship. The absence of brightness also contrasts with the hope and light often associated with God's presence, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/60.htm">Isaiah 60:1</a>, where light symbolizes salvation and divine favor.<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 and repentance to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of prosperity and moral decay.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, which had fallen into idolatry and social injustice, prompting God's warnings through Amos.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_day_of_the_lord.htm">The Day of the LORD</a></b><br>A prophetic term used throughout the Bible to describe a time of divine intervention, judgment, and ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes. In Amos, it is depicted as a day of darkness for those who are unrepentant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_day_of_the_lord.htm">Understanding the Day of the LORD</a></b><br>The Day of the LORD is not merely a future event but a present reality that calls for repentance and readiness. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_security.htm">The Illusion of Security</a></b><br>Israel believed they were secure because of their religious rituals, but Amos warns that without true repentance, these rituals are meaningless. This challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Amos's message is a call to turn away from sin and seek God earnestly. It is a reminder that God's patience has limits, and His judgment is certain for those who persist in rebellion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/social_justice_and_righteousness.htm">Social Justice and Righteousness</a></b><br>The context of Amos highlights the importance of justice and righteousness. As believers, we are called to reflect God's character in our treatment of others, advocating for justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_the_midst_of_judgment.htm">Hope in the Midst of Judgment</a></b><br>While the Day of the LORD is a day of darkness for the unrepentant, it also holds the promise of restoration for those who turn back to God. This dual aspect encourages us to live in hope and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_natural_and_moral_evils_differ.htm">What is the meaning of Judgment Day?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/amos_5_8_vs._modern_star_dating.htm">Amos 5:8 - How can we reconcile the claim that God formed the Pleiades and Orion with modern astronomy, which dates these stars to vastly different periods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_amos_5_18_contradict_hopeful_texts.htm">Amos 5:18 - If the 'Day of the Lord' is described here as darkness, does this contradict other biblical texts that portray it as a time of hope or victory?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_day_of_the_lord_signify.htm">What does the Day of the Lord signify?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/amos/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Darkness.--</span>In the form of an interrogative, the condemnation contained in <a href="/amos/5-18.htm" title="Woe to you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.">Amos 5:18</a> is emphatically reasserted. The term rendered "very dark" is that used to denote the gross Egyptian darkness that might be felt (<a href="/exodus/10-22.htm" title="And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:">Exodus 10:22</a>), the awful gloom, such as fell on Jerusalem at the Crucifixion, which is always accompanied by the sense of confusion, terror, and intolerable suspense. (Comp. the graphic metaphorical language of <a href="/isaiah/5-30.htm" title="And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look to the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.">Isaiah 5:30</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - The character of <span class="cmt_word">the day of the Lord is</span> enforced with reiterated earnestness (ver. 18) by an appeal to the conscience of e hearers. Do you not feel in your inmost hearts that in the case of such guilt as yours the Lord can visit but to punish? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/amos/5-20.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">Will not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">the Day</span><br /><span class="heb">י֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</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 /><br /><span class="word">be darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹ֛שֶׁךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</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">light,</span><br /><span class="heb">א֑וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_216.htm">Strong's 216: </a> </span><span class="str2">Illumination, luminary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even gloom</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָפֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·p̄êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_651.htm">Strong's 651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gloomy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</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">brightness</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹ֥גַֽהּ</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ḡah)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5051.htm">Strong's 5051: </a> </span><span class="str2">Brilliancy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in it?</span><br /><span class="heb">לֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/amos/5-20.htm">Amos 5:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/amos/5-20.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 5:20 Won't the day of Yahweh be darkness (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/5-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 5:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 5:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 5:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 5:21" /></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>