What does Amos 5:10 mean?
"They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly." - Amos 5:10

Amos 5:10 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible states, "They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly." This verse comes from the Book of Amos, which is part of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. The prophet Amos delivered this message to the people of Israel during a time of great social injustice and spiritual apostasy. The verse is a condemnation of the people's rejection of those who speak the truth and act with integrity.
The verse serves as a reflection of the larger themes found throughout the Book of Amos, which include social justice, righteousness, and the consequences of sin. In this particular verse, Amos is addressing the corrupt and sinful behavior of the people, specifically their response to those who challenge their wrongdoing. The phrase "rebuketh in the gate" refers to those who stand up for justice and righteousness in the public square. The "gate" was an important gathering place in ancient Israel, where legal matters were often discussed and decided. In this context, the verse is highlighting the people's disdain for those who challenge their actions and reveal the truth in public forums.
The rejection of truth and righteousness is a prominent theme in the Book of Amos. The people of Israel had turned away from God and His commandments, leading to widespread corruption, greed, and oppression of the poor and vulnerable. This verse speaks to the people's loathing of anyone who dared to speak out against their injustice and dishonesty. It reflects the sinful and rebellious nature of the people, as they actively rejected those who sought to confront them with the truth.
The rejection of truth and righteousness has profound implications for the spiritual state of the people. Their refusal to listen to those who speak honestly and with integrity demonstrates a willful disobedience to God's will. This rejection of truth also contributes to the erosion of justice and the perpetuation of social inequality. The verse serves as a warning to the people, highlighting the consequences of their refusal to heed the voices of those who call for righteousness and justice.
In addition to its thematic significance, the verse also holds symbolic importance. The rejection of those who speak uprightly points to the broader spiritual and moral decay within the society. It symbolizes the people's hard-heartedness and their unwillingness to repent and turn back to God. The "gate" serves as a symbol of public discourse and decision-making, emphasizing the communal nature of the people's rejection of truth and justice.
Ultimately, Amos 5:10 serves as a powerful indictment of the people's refusal to accept rebuke and their rejection of those who speak with integrity. It highlights the societal and spiritual consequences of willful disobedience and the erosion of truth and righteousness. The verse calls for a reexamination of one's own heart and actions, challenging the reader to embrace truth and righteousness rather than rejecting it. It also serves as a prophetic warning of the judgment that will come upon those who persist in their sinful ways.
Have questions about Amos 5:10?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Amos 5:10 Artwork
Amos 5:10 - "They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly."
"They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly." - Amos 5:10
Amos 5:21-27
Amos 7:10 - "¶ Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words."
Amos 5:24 - "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."
Amos 5:13 - "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time."
Amos 5:20 - "Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?"
Amos 6:5 - "That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;"
Amos 5:7 - "Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,"
Amos 2:5 - "But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem."
Amos 1:10 - "But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof."
Amos 5:17 - "And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD."
Amos 5:9 - "That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress."
Amos 3:10 - "For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces."
Amos 5:5 - "But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought."
Amos 5:4 - "¶ For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:"
Amos 5:21 - "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."
Amos 5:25 - "Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?"
Amos 5:23 - "Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols."
Amos 5:18 - "Woe unto 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 5:27 - "Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts."
Amos 5:1 - "Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel."
Amos 5:14 - "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken."
Amos 7:5 - "Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small."
Amos 5:15 - "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph."
Amos 5:2 - "The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up."
Amos 5:26 - "But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves."
Amos 2:10 - "Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite."
Amos 5:19 - "As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him."
Amos 4:5 - "And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD."