1. Amos 6:8 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean that the LORD swears by himself?

Amos 6:8 (ESV)

8 The Lord GOD has sworn by himself, declares the LORD, the God of hosts: “I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”

This is the second of three occasions that the expression, the Lord has sworn, is found in Amos (Amos 4:2, Amos 6:8, Amos 8:7). Ultimately, there is no one greater than God by whom the Lord can swear. The phrase by himself can also be translated as by his life thereby signifying that the Lord will stake his very life on the fulfillment of this deadly promise.1