Amos1
New International Version
1The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
2He said: “The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers.”
3This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not relent. Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth,
4I will send fire on the house of Hazael that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.
5I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,” says the Lord.
6This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not relent. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom,
7I will send fire on the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses.
8I will destroy the king of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines are dead,” says the Sovereign Lord.
9This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not relent. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,
10I will send fire on the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses.”
11This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,
12I will send fire on Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.”
13This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not relent. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders,
14I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah that will consume her fortresses amid war cries on the day of battle, amid violent winds on a stormy day.
15Her king will go into exile, he and his officials together,” says the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Amos 1.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עָמוֹס: Amos, an Israelite prophet
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
נֹקֵד: a spotter (of sheep or cattle), i.e. the owner or tender (who thus marks them)
תְּקוֹעַ: Tekoa, a place in Palestine
חָזָה: to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have avision of
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
עֻזִּיָּה: Uzzijah, the name of five Israelites
מֶלֶךְ: a king
Cross References
Amos 1Explicitly mentions the same historic earthquake during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct textual parallel: "the Lord shall roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem."
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel imagery of God roaring from on high and uttering His voice from His holy habitation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical fulfillment of Syria threshing Gilead like dust, under Hazael and Ben-hadad.
Supported by JFB
Direct historical fulfillment: the king of Assyria took Damascus and carried its people captive to Kir.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct parallel prediction: "I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus... palaces of Ben-hadad."
Supported by JFB
Repeated judgment formula: "I will send a fire upon his cities... and devour palaces."
Supported by JFB
Illuminates the "brotherly covenant" violated by Tyre, referencing Solomon and Hiram's league.
Supported by JFB
Expands on Edom's severe guilt for violence and lack of pity toward brother Jacob.
Supported by JFB
Amos confirms his own identity as a simple herdman and gatherer of sycamore fruit.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Parallel imagery of God breaking the protective bars of a city's gates.
Supported by JFB
The origin of Edom's perpetual hatred and anger against his brother Jacob.
Supported by JFB
Historical parallel of the atrocious practice of ripping open pregnant women in war.
Supported by JFB
Parallel prophecy of judgment against Tyre, its power, and its destruction by fire.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts God's command not to abhor an Edomite brother with Edom's relentless hatred.
Supported by JFB