Amos 1
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The words of Amos - This person and the father of Isaiah, though named alike in our translation, were as different in their names as in their persons. The father of Isaiah, אמוץ Amots; the prophet before us, עמוס Amos. The first, aleph, mem, vau, tsaddi; the second, ain, mem, vau, samech. For some account of this prophet see the introduction. Among the herdmen - He seems to have been among the very lowest orders of life, a herdsman, one who tended the flocks of others in the open fields, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit. Of whatever species this was, whether a kind of fig, it is evident that it was wild fruit; and he probably collected it for his own subsistence, or to dispose of either for the service of his employer, or to increase his scanty wages. Before the earthquake - Probably the same as that referred to Zac 14:5, if הרעש haraash do not mean some popular tumult.
Open source ↗GOD'S JUDGMENTS ON SYRIA, PHILISTIA, TYRE, EDOM, AND AMMON. (Amo 1:1-15) The words of Amos--that is, Amos' oracular communications. A heading found only in Jer 1:1. among the herdmen--rather, "shepherds"; both owning and tending sheep; from an Arabic root, "to mark with pricks," namely, to select the best among a species of sheep and goats ill-shapen and short-footed (as others explain the name from an Arabic root), but distinguished by their wool [MAURER]. God chooses "the weak things of the world to confound the mighty," and makes a humble shepherd reprove the arrogance of Israel and her king arising from prosperity (compare Sa1 17:40). which he saw--in supernatural vision (Isa 1:1). two years before the earthquake--mentioned in Zac 14:5. The earthquake occurred in Uzziah's reign, at the time of his being stricken with leprosy for usurping the priest's functions [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 9:10.4]. This clause must have been inserted by Ezra and the compilers of the Jewish canon.
Open source ↗The words of Amos,.... Not which he spoke of or for himself, but from the Lord; all the prophecies, visions, and revelations made unto him, are intended: who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa; which was not in the tribe of Asher, as Kimchi; nor of Zebulun, as Pseudo-Epiphanius (i); but in the tribe of Judah, Ch2 11:5. It lay to the south, and was six miles from Bethlehem. Mr. Maundrell (k) says it is nine miles distant, to the south of it; and, according to Jerom (l), it was twelve miles from Jerusalem; though he elsewhere (m) says, Thecua, or Tekoa, is a village at this day, nine miles from Aelia or Jerusalem, of which place was Amos the prophet, and where his sepulchre is seen: either there is a mistake of the number, or of Aelia for Bethlehem; the former rather seems to be the case; according to Josephus (n), it was not far from the castle of Herodium. The Misnic doctors (o) speak of it as famous for oil, where the best was to be had; near to it was a wilderness, called the wilderness of Tekoa; and Jerom (p) says, that beyond it there was no village, nor so much as huts and cottages, but a large wilderness, which reached to the Red sea, and to the borders of the Persians, Ethiopians, and Indians, and was full of shepherds, among whom Amos was; whether he was a master herdsman, or a servant of one, is not said. The word is used of the king of Moab, who is said to be a "sheepmaster", Kg2 3:4; he traded in cattle, and got riches thereby; and so the Targum here renders it, "who was lord or master of cattle;'' and Kimchi interprets it, he was a great man among the herdsmen; and so it was a piece of self-denial to leave his business, and go to prophesying; but rather he was a servant, and kept cattle for others, which best agrees with Amo 7:14; and so is expressive of the gr…
Open source ↗Amo 1:1 contains the heading, which has already been discussed in the Introduction; and אשׁר חזה ("which he saw") refers to דּברי עמוס (the words of Amos). Amo 1:2 forms the Introduction, which is attached to the heading by ויּאמר, and announces a revelation of the wrath of God upon Israel, or a theocratic judgment. Amo 1:2. "Jehovah roars out of Zion, and He utters His voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the head of Carmel withers." The voice of Jehovah is the thunder, the earthly substratum in which the Lord manifests His coming to judgment (see at Joe 3:16). By the adoption of the first half of the verse word for word from Joel, Amos connects his prophecy with that of his predecessor, not so much with the intention of confirming the latter, as for the purpose of alarming the sinners who were at east in their security, and overthrowing the delusive notion that the judgment of God would only fall upon the heathen world. This delusion he meets with the declaration, that at the threatening of the wrath of God the pastures of the shepherds, i.e., the pasture-ground of the land of Israel (cf. Joe 1:19), and the head of the forest-crowned Carmel, will fade and wither. Carmel is the oft-recurring promontory at the mouth of the Kishon on the Mediterranean (see the comm. on Jos 19:26 and Kg1 18:19), and not the place called Carmel on the mountains of Judah (Jos 15:55), to which the term ראשׁ (head) is inapplicable (vid., Amo 9:3 and Mic 7:14). Shepherds' pastures and Carmel individualized the land of Israel in a manner that was very natural to Amos the shepherd. With this introduction, Amos announces the theme of his prophecies. And if, instead of proceeding at once to describe still further the judgment that threatens the kingdom of Israel, he f…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The general character of this prophecy. It consists of the words which the prophet saw. Are words to be seen? Yes, God's words are; the apostles speak of the word of life, which they had not only heard, but which they had seen with their eyes, which they had looked upon, and which their hands had handled (Jo1 1:1), such a real substantial thing is the word of God. The prophet saw these words, that is, 1. They were revealed to him in a vision, as John is said to see the voice that spoke to him, Rev 1:12. 2. That which was foretold by them was to him as certain as if he had seen it with his bodily eyes. It intimates how strong he was in that faith which is the evidence of things not seen. II. The person by whom this prophecy was sent - Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, and was one of them. Some think he was a rich dealer in cattle; the word is used concerning the king of Moab (Kg2 3:4, He was a sheep-master); it is probable that he got money by that business, and yet he must quit it, to follow God as a prophet. Others think he was a poor keeper of cattle, for we find (Amo 7:14, Amo 7:15) that he was withal a gatherer of wild figs, a poor employment by which we may suppose he could but just get his bread, and that God took him, as he did David, from following the flock, and Elisha from following the plough. Many were trained up for great employments, in the quiet, innocent, contemplative business of shepherds. When God would send a prophet to reprove and warn his people, he employed a shepherd, a herdsman, to do it; for they had made themselves as the horse and mule that have no understanding, nay, worse than the ox that knows his owner. God sometimes chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, Co1 1:27. Note, Those whom God has endued…
Open source ↗1:1 message (literally words): This standard way of introducing a prophetic message (Jer 1:1; see also Hag 1:12) emphasizes its form and content. • shepherd (Hebrew noqed): This word is used just one other time in the Old Testament, to describe the king of Moab as a “sheep breeder” (2 Kgs 3:4). Amos describes his vocation in Amos 7:14 using a different Hebrew word (boqer, which means “herder”; see Amos Book Introduction, “The Prophet Amos”). Amos was not a professional prophet serving the court or the Temple. • Amos received this message in visions—that is, by divine revelation (see Isa 1:1). • Amos depicts the earthquake that occurred during the reign of Uzziah (Zech 14:5) as an act of God’s judgment (Amos 3:14-15; 6:11, 14; 8:8; 9:1, 9). • Uzziah, also called Azariah (792–740 BC), was the most powerful king of Judah after the division of the kingdom. • Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), who descended from the dynasty of Jehu, took advantage of a power vacuum in the region and recovered territory earlier lost to the Arameans.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָמוֹס (ʻÂmôwç, H5986) — Amos, an Israelite prophet נֹקֵד (nôqêd, H5349) — a spotter (of sheep or cattle), i.e. the owner or tender (who thus marks them) תְּקוֹעַ (Tᵉqôwaʻ, H8620) — Tekoa, a place in Palestine חָזָה (châzâh, H2372) — to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֻזִּיָּה (ʻUzzîyâh, H5818) — Uzzijah, the name of five Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹאָשׁ (Yôwʼâsh, H3101) — Joash, the name of six Israelites שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁאַג (shâʼag, H7580) — to rumble or moan צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine נָאָה (nâʼâh, H4999) — a home; figuratively, a pasture רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כַּרְמֶל (Karmel, H3760) — Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in Palestine יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… דּוּשׁ (dûwsh, H1758) — to trample or thresh גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites חֲרוּץ (chărûwts, H2742) — properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench… בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) חֲזָאֵל (Chăzâʼêl, H2371) — Chazael, a king of Syria אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-Hădad, H1130) — Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings
Open source ↗שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) בְּרִיחַ (bᵉrîyach, H1280) — a bolt דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains אָוֶן (ʼÂven, H206) — Aven, the contemptuous synonym of three places, one in Coele-Syria, one in Egypt (On),… תָּמַךְ (tâmak, H8551) — to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֵדֶן (ʻÊden, H5731) — Eden, the region of Adam's home בֵּית עֵדֶן (Bêyth ʻÊden, H1040) — Beth-Eden, a place in Syria עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) עַזָּה (ʻAzzâh, H5804) — Azzah, a place in Palestine אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… שָׁלֵם (shâlêm, H8003) — complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly גָּלוּת (gâlûwth, H1546) — captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively) סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection עַזָּה (ʻAzzâh, H5804) — Azzah, a place in Palestine אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height)
Open source ↗כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אַשְׁדּוֹד (ʼAshdôwd, H795) — Ashdod, a place in Palestine תָּמַךְ (tâmak, H8551) — to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… אַשְׁקְלוֹן (ʼAshqᵉlôwn, H831) — Ashkelon, a place in Palestine שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עֶקְרוֹן (ʻEqrôwn, H6138) — Ekron, a place in Palestine שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender שָׁלֵם (shâlêm, H8003) — complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly גָּלוּת (gâlûwth, H1546) — captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively) אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… טָרַף (ṭâraph, H2963) — to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) תֵּימָן (Têymân, H8487) — Teman, the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) בׇּצְרָה (Botsrâh, H1224) — Botsrah, a place in Edom
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open הָרֶה (hâreh, H2030) — pregnant גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites רָחַב (râchab, H7337) — to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the…
Open source ↗יָצַת (yâtsath, H3341) — to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection רַבָּה (Rabbâh, H7237) — Rabbah, the name of two places in Palestine, East and West אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) תְּרוּעָה (tᵉrûwʻâh, H8643) — clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangorof trumpets, as an… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) סַעַר (çaʻar, H5591) — a hurricane סוּפָה (çûwphâh, H5492) — a hurricane
Open source ↗Cross-references
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You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.
So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.
“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.
So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time.
Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
“Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin; flee from Jerusalem! Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa; send up a signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms from the north, even great destruction.
These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.
This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem: