The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob/The LORD the God of Israel, has sworn. Sworn here is in the sense of taking an oath, not the usual English meaning of “swear” (see 6.8). In almost all modern English translations the Hebrew is translated literally and without meaning, as in Revised Standard Version. In most languages it makes no sense to swear by someone’s pride, any more than it does in English. It is even questionable whether that is what the Hebrew really means. In the Old Testament the LORD never swears by something or somebody else, but always by himself or by something which is identical with himself. If this rule is applied here, the LORD swears by himself as pride of Jacob. From here it is only one step to the Good News Translation The LORD, the God of Israel, has sworn.

However, the Good News Translation translation is not really enough. Pride of Jacob was probably not a common title for the LORD, so the information in it is of some importance. The suggested translation would be something like “The LORD, of whom Israel is so proud (whom Israel honors/glorifies), has sworn/promised…”

In some languages a word meaning “say” or “promise” will be needed in addition to one meaning “take an oath,” to show that what follows is the content of the oath.

Surely I will never forget any of their deeds/I will never forget their evil deeds. Evil may be unnecessary after 8.4-6, where Israel’s crimes are described.

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan & Smalley, William A. A Handbook on Amos. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1979. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .