Definition: For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Amos 9:9. It’s a really significant and somewhat unsettling passage about God’s plan for Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God is going to separate out the Israelites – the people of Israel – from all other nations on Earth. It's like sorting grains of sand through a sieve. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For, lo, I will command…” - This means God is about to give instructions. “…and I will sift the house of Israel…” – “House of Israel” refers to the Jewish people – specifically, the nation of Israel. It’s a metaphorical term for the entire Jewish community throughout history. "...like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve..." - This is where it gets really powerful. Corn is sifted through a sieve to separate out the smaller grains from larger ones. This is a perfect analogy! The “sieve” represents God’s judgment and purification. "...yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth." – This is the crucial part. The "least grain" means that none of the Israelites will be included in this separation. It’s as if a single grain of corn is completely excluded from the entire field. What does it mean practically? It suggests a time of intense judgment and purification for Israel. God intends to cleanse them, remove their impurities, and ultimately, prepare them for a new era. It’s not necessarily about harming them; it's about making them fit for a future purpose – possibly involving a restored Kingdom or a renewed covenant with God. Important Context: Amos was writing during a time of great political turmoil and rebellion in Israel. This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of a period of severe punishment for the nation, but it also carries a message of hope – that even after hardship, there’s a possibility of restoration and a future blessed by God. In short, this verse speaks of God's deliberate and complete separation of Israel from all other nations, ensuring their ultimate purification and preparation for a new era. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect it to a specific historical event or figure (like the Babylonian exile)? Discuss the different interpretations of this verse within biblical scholarship?