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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 4:6 "I beset all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me," declares the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/amos/4-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/30_Amo_04_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Amos 4:6 - Punishment Brings No Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I beset all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, 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/4-6.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/4-6.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 6</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="/ad6.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/4-5.htm" title="Amos 4:5">◄</a> Amos 4:6 <a href="/amos/4-7.htm" title="Amos 4:7">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/amos/4.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,&#8221 declares the LORD. <a href="/nlt/amos/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> “I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD. <a href="/esv/amos/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to me,” declares the LORD. <a href="/bsb/amos/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. <a href="/kjv/amos/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/amos/4.htm">New King James Version</a> “Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. <a href="/nasb_/amos/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities, And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the LORD. <a href="/nasb/amos/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities And lack of bread in all your places, Yet you have not returned to Me,&#8221 declares the LORD. <a href="/nasb77/amos/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities And lack of bread in all your places, Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the LORD. <a href="/lsb/amos/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities And lack of bread in all your places, Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares Yahweh. <a href="/amp/amos/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “I also gave you cleanness of teeth [because of the famine] in all your cities And lack of bread in all your places, Yet you have not returned to Me [in repentance],” says the LORD. <a href="/csb/amos/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I gave you absolutely nothing to eat in all your cities, a shortage of food in all your communities, yet you did not return to me. This is the LORD’s declaration. <a href="/hcsb/amos/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I gave you absolutely nothing to eat in all your cities, a shortage of food in all your communities, yet you did not return to Me. This is the LORD&#8217s declaration. <a href="/asv/amos/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 Jehovah. <a href="/cev/amos/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I, the LORD, took away the food from every town and village, but still you rejected me. <a href="/erv/amos/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/amos/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I left you with nothing to eat in any of your cities. I left you with no food in your entire land. And you still didn't return to me, declares the LORD. <a href="/gnt/amos/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I was the one who brought famine to all your cities, yet you did not come back to me. <a href="/isv/amos/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> "I also have scheduled food shortages for you in all of your cities, and lack of bread in all of your settlements, but you haven't returned to me," declares the LORD. <a href="/msb/amos/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,? declares the LORD. <a href="/net/amos/4.htm">NET Bible</a> "But surely I gave you no food to eat in any of your cities; you lacked food everywhere you live. Still you did not come back to me." The LORD is speaking! <a href="/nheb/amos/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in every town; yet you haven't returned to me," says the LORD. <a href="/wbt/amos/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 to me, saith the LORD. <a href="/web/amos/4.htm">World English Bible</a> “I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in every town; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/amos/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “And I also—I have given to you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, "" And lack of bread in all your places, "" And you have not turned back to Me,” "" A declaration of YHWH. <a href="/ylt/amos/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I also -- I have given to you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, And lack of bread in all your places, And ye have not turned back unto Me, an affirmation of Jehovah. <a href="/slt/amos/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And also I gave to you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: and ye turned not back even to me, says Jehovah.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/amos/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Whereupon I also have given you dulness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet you have not returned to me, saith the Lord. <a href="/cpdv/amos/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, because of this, I have given you dull teeth in every one of your cities, and a lack of bread in all your places. And you have not been turned back towards me, says the Lord. <a href="/nabre/amos/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Though I made your teeth clean of food in all your cities, and made bread scarce in all your dwellings, Yet you did not return to me— oracle of the LORD. <a href="/nrsvce/amos/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to me, says the LORD.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/amos/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And I also have given you shortage of food in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places; yet you have not returned to me, says the LORD. <a href="/hpbt/amos/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Also I have given you numbness of teeth in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places, and you have not returned to me, says LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/amos/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/amos/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I will give you dulness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet ye returned not to me, saith the Lord. <a href="/parallel/amos/4-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=583" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/amos/4.htm">Punishment Brings No Repentance</a> …5Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do,” declares the Lord GOD. 6<a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯat·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">beset</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rê·ḵem (N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">your cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/5356.htm" title="5356: niq·yō·wn (N-msc) -- Innocency. Or niqqayon; from naqah; clearness.">with cleanness</a> <a href="/hebrew/8127.htm" title="8127: šin·na·yim (N-cd) -- Tooth, ivory. From shanan; a tooth; specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff.">of teeth</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵōl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: mə·qō·w·mō·ṯê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">your towns</a> <a href="/hebrew/2640.htm" title="2640: wə·ḥō·ser (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Want, lack. From chacer; poverty.">with lack</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">of bread,</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> 7“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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a> you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you. <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a> You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26</a> When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” <a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Isaiah 3:1</a> For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water, <a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm">Ezekiel 4:16-17</a> Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. / So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity. <a href="/jeremiah/14-1.htm">Jeremiah 14:1-6</a> This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / 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. ... <a href="/joel/1-16.htm">Joel 1:16-20</a> Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes—joy and gladness from the house of our God? / The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods; the storehouses are in ruins; the granaries are broken down, for the grain has withered away. / How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering. ... <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1-7</a> 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!” / Then a revelation from the LORD came to Elijah: / “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/15-6.htm">2 Chronicles 15:6</a> Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity. <a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a> Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. <a href="/luke/21-11.htm">Luke 21:11</a> There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven. <a href="/revelation/6-5.htm">Revelation 6:5-6</a> And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. / And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.” <a href="/mark/13-8.htm">Mark 13:8</a> Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. <a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35</a> Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have you not returned to me, said the LORD.cleanness.and want.<a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26</a> And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.<a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38</a> Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.<a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a> And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.yet.<a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8,9</a> So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD… <a href="/2_chronicles/28-22.htm">2 Chronicles 28:22</a> And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.<a href="/isaiah/9-13.htm">Isaiah 9:13</a> For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/4-5.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/hosea/9-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/amos/3-6.htm">City</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-11.htm">Cleanness</a> <a href="/amos/4-3.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/amos/3-4.htm">Food</a> <a href="/amos/4-1.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/amos/4-1.htm">Need</a> <a href="/amos/4-3.htm">Places</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Stomachs</a> <a href="/joel/1-6.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/amos/1-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/daniel/3-18.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/6-14.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">City</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Cleanness</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Food</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-17.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/matthew/13-58.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Need</a> <a href="/amos/4-13.htm">Places</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Stomachs</a> <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 4</div>1. <a href="/amos/4-1.htm">He reproves Israel for oppression,</a> 4. <a href="/amos/4-4.htm">for idolatry,</a> 6. <a href="/amos/4-6.htm">and for their incorrigibleness.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth The phrase "cleanness of teeth" is a metaphor for famine. In ancient times, having "clean teeth" implied a lack of food, as there was nothing to eat that would dirty the teeth. This judgment from God was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and idolatry. The cities, representing centers of population and influence, were targeted to emphasize the widespread nature of the judgment. This reflects the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a>, where God warned Israel of famine as a consequence of disobedience.and all your towns with lack of bread The "lack of bread" further emphasizes the severity of the famine. Bread was a staple food in ancient Israel, and its absence signifies a dire situation. This judgment was not limited to major cities but extended to all towns, indicating a comprehensive and inescapable divine action. The scarcity of bread is reminiscent of the curses in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-17.htm">Deuteronomy 28:17</a>, where God warns of the consequences of turning away from Him. This also foreshadows the spiritual famine mentioned in <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a>, where there would be a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.yet you did not return to Me Despite the severe judgments, the people of Israel failed to repent and return to God. This highlights the stubbornness and hardness of their hearts. The call to "return" is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, emphasizing God's desire for repentance and restoration. This phrase echoes the call to repentance found in <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a>, where God invites His people to return with all their hearts. The lack of response from Israel underscores their spiritual blindness and rebellion.declares the LORD The declaration by the LORD underscores the authority and finality of the message. It is a reminder that these judgments are not random acts of nature but deliberate actions from God, who is sovereign over all creation. The use of "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula that authenticates the message as coming directly from God. It serves as a solemn reminder of God's justice and the seriousness of His call to repentance. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant relationship with Israel, where He consistently calls His people back to faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/amos.htm">Amos</a> 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. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The Northern Kingdom, which had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and social injustice. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is calling His people to repentance through the prophet Amos. 4. <a href="/topical/c/cities_of_israel.htm">Cities of Israel</a> The urban centers where the people experienced the consequences of their disobedience, such as famine and lack of resources. 5. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> A divine judgment used by God to prompt Israel to return to Him, symbolized by "cleanness of teeth" due to lack of food.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_discipline.htm">Divine Discipline</a> God uses circumstances, such as famine, to discipline His people and draw them back to Himself. Recognize God's hand in life's challenges as a call to examine our relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> Despite experiencing hardship, Israel did not return to God. Reflect on personal areas of stubbornness and seek genuine repentance. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a> God remains faithful to His covenant, desiring His people to return to Him. Trust in God's unchanging nature and His desire for restoration. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awareness.htm">Spiritual Awareness</a> The phrase "cleanness of teeth" symbolizes a lack of spiritual nourishment. Evaluate your spiritual diet and ensure you are feeding on God's Word. <a href="/topical/r/response_to_god's_warnings.htm">Response to God's Warnings</a> Consider how you respond to God's warnings in your life. Are you attentive and willing to change, or do you persist in disobedience?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 4</a> <a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_words_show_kindness_and_truth.htm">How should we treat the poor among us?</a> <a href="/q/was_jeremiah's_prophecy_exaggerated.htm">In Jeremiah 26:7–9, could Jeremiah’s prophecy have been exaggerated or misunderstood, given the intense reaction of the people? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_punish_repeated_sins.htm">Jeremiah 11:6–8: Why would a just and loving deity repeatedly punish His people for sins He knows they will keep committing? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/amos/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) Cleanness of teeth is, by the poetic parallelism, identified with the want of bread, the former phrase being a graphic representation of one of the ghastly aspects of famine; clean, sharp, prominent teeth projecting from the thin lips. Notwithstanding their chastisement, God says, "Ye have not returned even up to me." Jehovah is here introduced as grieving over the failure of his disciplinary treatment of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - In this and the five following verses God sets forth instances of the judgments which he had sent at various times to correct Israel; viz. famine, drought, blight, pestilence, earthquake; but all had been in vain. Five times recurs the sad refrain, "Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord." God's unwearied love had not conquered their rebellion. Cleanness of teeth; Septuagint, γομφιασμὸν ὀδόντων, "dulness of teeth;" Vulgate, stuporem dentium. It is not "toothache" that is meant, but famine, as is seen by the parallel term, want of bread; as Corn. a Lapide says, "Cum enim in fame et penuria dentes non habent quod mordeant et mandant, innocentes sunt et mundi." This is the first chastisement mentioned. It was threatened in the Law as a consequence of backsliding (see <a href="/leviticus/26.htm">Leviticus 26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48, 57</a>). The famines to which Amos alludes are not recorded. Plainly they were not fortuitous, but were providential inflictions, in accordance with previous warnings Yet have ye not returned unto me. Pusey notes that the words imply, not that they returned not at all, but that they did after a fashion return, but not so as to reach God, their repentance being a half-repentance and their worship a half-worship, and therefore unacceptable. <a href="/commentaries/amos/4-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“I אֲנִי֩ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I beset נָתַ֨תִּי (nā·ṯat·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every your cities עָ֣רֵיכֶ֔ם (‘ā·rê·ḵem) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement with cleanness נִקְי֤וֹן (niq·yō·wn) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5356.htm">Strong's 5356: </a> Clearness of teeth שִׁנַּ֙יִם֙ (šin·na·yim) Noun - cd <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8127.htm">Strong's 8127: </a> A tooth, ivory, a cliff and all בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every your towns מְקוֹמֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם (mə·qō·w·mō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition with lack וְחֹ֣סֶר (wə·ḥō·ser) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2640.htm">Strong's 2640: </a> Want, lack of bread, לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain yet you did not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no return שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם (šaḇ·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Me.” עָדַ֖י (‘ā·ḏay) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> An oracle the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/amos/4-6.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 4:6 I also have given you cleanness (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/4-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 4:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 4:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/4-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 4:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 4:7" /></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>