Definition: Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Amos 1:11. It’s a pretty serious and dramatic statement about Edom. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is incredibly angry with Edom because of past wrongs. He’s not going to forgive them easily, and he’s determined to punish them harshly for a long time. Let's break it down word by word: “Thus saith the LORD” : This means God is speaking directly to us. “For three transgressions of Edom” : God refers to specific past mistakes that Edom made. “Transgressions” means they broke a rule or law. These are the specific wrongs he's talking about. “And for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof” : This is the key part – God isn’t going to let Edom get away with these mistakes. He will continue to punish them. The word "turn away" means to give up or forget about something. “Because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually” : This describes what Edom did that angered God so much. He actively attacked his brother (who is implied to be a significant figure in Edom’s history). He didn't show any compassion or remorse. “Tear perpetually” means his anger stayed on, like a wound that never heals. “And he kept his wrath for ever” : This reinforces the severity of God's punishment. He won't forget these wrongs and will continue to be angered by them. In short: Amos is saying that Edom has been repeatedly wrong and has shown no remorse, and God will not let them off easy. He’s determined to punish them with a long-lasting fury. Context & Significance: This verse is important because it’s one of the most severe warnings in the Old Testament. It's often seen as a foreshadowing of future events in history and a reminder of God’s justice and power. It suggests that ignoring or escaping punishment isn’t an option for Edom. Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with examples? Connect it to a specific historical event?