Amos1
New King James Version
1The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
2And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, And the top of Carmel withers.”
3Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron.
4But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, Which shall devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.
5I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, And the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir,” Says the Lord.
6Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity To deliver them up to Edom.
7But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, Which shall devour its palaces.
8I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, And the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn My hand against Ekron, And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,” Says the Lord God.
9Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, And did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.
10But I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, Which shall devour its palaces.”
11Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, And cast off all pity; His anger tore perpetually, And he kept his wrath forever.
12But I will send a fire upon Teman, Which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.”
13Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, That they might enlarge their territory.
14But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, And it shall devour its palaces, Amid shouting in the day of battle, And a tempest in the day of the whirlwind.
15Their king shall go into captivity, He and his princes 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