Definition: And a manâs uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that [is] by the sides of the house, [Is there] yet [any] with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Amos 6:10. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about responsibility and judgment. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that someone who harms or kills another person will be held accountable for the consequences. It's a warning about the potential repercussions of violence and wrongdoing. Let’s unpack each part: “Amos 6:10” : This refers to a prophecy from the Old Testament book of Amos. It’s a message delivered by a prophet named Amos. “And a man’s uncle shall take him up…” : This describes a situation where someone is in danger – likely being harmed or killed. It highlights the idea of someone being protected by another person. “…and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house…” : This is the crucial part. “Burning him” refers to deliberately killing or harming someone. The speaker (Amos) says they will take the person and, with a serious look, will examine their remains – bones – to ask if anyone else is present. “…and shall say unto him that [is] by the sides of the house…” : This part is a bit more complex and uses a rhetorical question. "By the sides of the house" means someone who is adjacent or near to the person being examined. It’s suggesting that there's another person nearby who might be involved in the harm. “[Is there] yet [any] with thee?” : This is a direct question, asking if there is anyone else present. “…and he shall say, No.” : This is the response. The person being examined says “No.” This is the key point – they are denying involvement. “Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.” : This is where it gets really powerful. The person who is being examined refuses to reveal the name of God . They deliberately avoid mentioning God’s name as a way of protecting themselves or their own actions. What does this mean in a broader sense? It's about accountability: The verse emphasizes that those who harm others will face consequences, and they cannot hide behind secrecy. It’s about the responsibility to speak truth: It suggests that we have a duty to speak out against evil and injustice – even when it's difficult. It’s a warning against silence: The verse cautions us not to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing, as this can lead to serious repercussions. In essence, Amos 6:10 is a call for righteousness and warns that those who choose to harm others will ultimately be held accountable. Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or situation?