About Amos

Amos, a shepherd called to prophesy, denounced social injustice and religious hypocrisy in prosperous Israel.

Author: AmosWritten: c. 760-750 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 15

JusticeSocial RighteousnessJudgmentPrivilege and ResponsibilityDay of the LordRestoration

Places in This Chapter

Ammon(Region)Ashdod(Settlement)Ashkelon(Settlement)Beth-eden(Region)Bozrah 1(Settlement)Damascus(Settlement)Edom(Region)Ekron(Settlement)+12 more

King James Version

Amos 1

15 verses with commentary

Judgment on Israel's Neighbors

1

The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen 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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The opening verse establishes Amos's prophetic credentials through several key elements. The phrase "words of Amos" (divrei Amos) presents his message as authoritative divine communication, not mere human opinion. Amos means "burden-bearer," fitting for one who delivers God's heavy message of judgment. He identifies as one "among the herdmen of Tekoa"—the Hebrew noqed denotes a sheep-breeder or ca...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

The *Prologue* to the Prophecies of Amos consists of a series of denunciations of the surrounding peoples. The ground of the awful threatenings is the word of Jehovah made known to the prophet. The reason for the doom predicted on such high authority, is the resistance and cruelty that were offered by these nations to the theocratic people, and, still more, their own moral offences, condemned by u...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. The higher pavement was level with the entrance of the gates, the lower was on either side of the raised pavement thus formed. Whereas Solomon's temple had an outer court open to alterations and even idolatrous innovations (2Ki 23:11, 12; 1Ch 20:5), in this there was to be no room for human corruptions. Its compass was exactly defined, one hundred cubits; and the fine pavement implied it was t...

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2

And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

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KJV Study Commentary

Amos opens with a theophanic announcement: "The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem." The verb sha'ag (roar) describes a lion's terrifying roar—primal power and imminent violence. Applying this to Yahweh communicates His terrifying holiness and sovereign authority. The geographic markers—Zion and Jerusalem—establish where God reigns and from where He exercises judgment. Th...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **Roar.—**The prolonged thunder-peal, or lion’s roar, of the Divine voice, reverberates from the theocratic metropolis of Zion, to the luxuriant slopes of the noble Carmel, which forms the southern promontory of the Bay of Acre. The “pastures of the Shepherds” remind us of Psalms 23, and refers us to the prophet’s own home in the wilderness of Tekoah. The same expression “head (or ‘top’) of Ca...

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3

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: and: or, yea, for four turn: or, convert it, or, let it be quiet

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KJV Study Commentary

Amos begins oracles against nations: 'Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron.' The formula 'for three transgressions... and for four' is Hebrew numeric escalation indicating fullness/completion of sin—measuring cup overflowing. Damascus (Syria/Aram) co...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

CURSE ON DAMASCUS. (3) **Three transgressions . . .**—This form of transgression, which occurs eight times in the prologue, is not an arithmetical, but a strongly idiomatic phrase, signifying “multiplied or repeated delinquencies**”** (*Henderson*). **Turn away** . . .—Rather, *will not turn it back—i.e.,* the sore judgment I have purposed. (Comp. 2Kings 10:32-33.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

4

But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.

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KJV Study Commentary

Continuing the oracle against Damascus: "But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad." Fire represents divine judgment throughout Scripture (Genesis 19:24, Leviticus 10:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). Hazael and Ben-hadad were Syrian kings who oppressed Israel (2 Kings 8:7-15, 13:1-7, 22-25). Hazael assassinated his predecessor to seize power—a usurper...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **I will send a fire** . . .—Compare Jeremiah 49:27, where this language is repeated at a time when punishment had fallen for a while on Damascus, and she had become, as Isaiah predicted, “a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

5

I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden : and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD. the plain: or, Bikathaven the house: or, Betheden

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KJV Study Commentary

"I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD." The "bar" refers to the massive wooden beam securing city gates—breaking it means the city falls. Damascus, Syria's capital, would be conquered and depopulated. "Plain of Aven" ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **I will break** . . .—The “bar*”* means the bolt of iron or brass with which the city was defended. But it is possible that it may be used of persons, *i.e.,* princes or leaders (comp. Hosea 4:18; Hosea 11:6); and this seems confirmed by the parallelism. The plain or valley cleft between Libanus and Antilibanus is still called by the Arabs by a name closely resembling the rendering in the mar...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

6

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom: away captive: or, them away with an entire

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KJV Study Commentary

Amos continues oracles against nations, now Gaza: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom." Gaza's crime was comprehensive human trafficking—"the whole captivity" indicates entire communities, not just individuals. They sold these captives to ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

CURSE ON PHILISTIA. (6-8) The marginal reading is more literal, and points to the special bitterness of the proceedings of Philistia, here represented by Gaza as the principal city (comp. 2Chronicles 21:16-17, which implies a veritable sack of Jerusalem). The extreme barbarity from which Judah suffered was that her children were delivered up to the implacable enemy Edom. (Comp. the language of Joe...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

7

But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof</strong>—God pronounces judgment on Gaza, the foremost Philistine city. The Hebrew <em>shilachti esh</em> (שִׁלַּחְתִּי אֵשׁ, "I will send fire") uses fire as metaphor for military conquest and destruction. <em>Armonot</em> (אַרְמְנוֹת, "palaces/fortresses") represents the citadels of power where Philistine ...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

8

And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon</strong>—The Hebrew <em>hikhrati yoshev</em> (הִכְרַתִּי יוֹשֵׁב, "I will cut off the inhabitant") and <em>tomekh shevet</em> (תּוֹמֵךְ שֵׁבֶט, "him that holdeth the sceptre") together describe total political destruction—both general population and ruling authority will be eliminated. <strong>And...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

9

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant: the brotherly: Heb. the covenant of brethren

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KJV Study Commentary

After pronouncing judgment on Damascus, Amos turns to Gaza: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom." The formula "for three... and for four" indicates overflowing, complete sin. Gaza, a Philistine city, engaged in human trafficking—capturing ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

CURSE ON TYRUS. (9) **The brotherly covenant.**—The *“covenant of brethren*” (margin) was the league made between Hiram and David, and afterwards between Hiram and Solomon (2Samuel 5:11; 1Kings 5:1; 1Kings 5:12). This ancient covenant was forgotten in Phœnicia’s mercantile cupidity, and Tyre was tempted to sell Hebrew captives to Greeks and Idumeans. (Comp. Isaiah 23; Ezekiel 26, and the special e...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof</strong>—The judgment formula repeats identically to Gaza (1:7), showing God's impartial justice. Tyre's sin was similar to Gaza's: "they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant" (1:9). The Hebrew <em>berit achim</em> (בְּרִית אַחִים, "covenant of brothers") likel...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20-27. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with thirty chambers such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests.

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: did cast: Heb. corrupted his compassions

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KJV Study Commentary

Amos addresses Edom: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever." Edom's crime was betraying kinship obligations. As Esau's descendants, they were Jacob's (Israel's) relatives, yet the...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

CURSE ON EDOM. (11) **Edom**.—Comp. the prophecy of Obadiah and Isaiah 34:5. See also *Dict. of the Bible,* art. “Edom.” All through their history Edom sided with the enemies of Israel. (Comp. 1Samuel 14:47; 2Samuel 8:14; Psalm 60:9; and 2Chronicles 21:8-10.) **Cast Off**.—It would be better to render *stifled.* In the following clause read “And his indignation rended continually, and his wrath lu...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28-37. The inner court and its gates. **according to these measures--**namely, the measures of the outer gate. The figure and proportions of the inner answered to the outer.

But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah</strong>—Teman and Bozrah were major cities in Edom, representing the entire nation. The Hebrew <em>Teman</em> (תֵּימָן) literally means "south" and refers to the southern region of Edom, while <em>Botsrah</em> (בָּצְרָה) was a principal city and fortress. Edom's condemned sin (1:11) was pursuing "his brother with ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Teman.**—According to Genesis 36:11, a name for a grandson of Esau. The district and chief town of this name are often referred to in the Prophets (Jeremiah 49:7-8; Ezekiel 25:13; Habakkuk 3:3; Obadiah 1:8-9). The wisdom and might of the Temanites were well known, and Eliphaz the Temanite was one of the sage interlocutors of the Book of Job. It was situated, according to Burckhardt and Robi...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28-37. The inner court and its gates. **according to these measures--**namely, the measures of the outer gate. The figure and proportions of the inner answered to the outer.

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: ripped: or, divided the mountains

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KJV Study Commentary

Amos addresses Ammon: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border." Ammon's atrocity—killing pregnant women to expand territory—demonstrates war's brutality and human depravity apart from divine grace. The phrase "r...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

CURSE ON AMMON. (13) **Ammon**.—See art. in Smith’s *Dict. of the Bible.* The precise event of atrocious cruelty is not mentioned in the historical books; but the barbarous modes of warfare which prevailed in those days are darkly conveyed in 1Samuel 11:2; 2Kings 15:16; Hosea 13:16, &c., and in Assyrian inscriptions *passim.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28-37. The inner court and its gates. **according to these measures--**namely, the measures of the outer gate. The figure and proportions of the inner answered to the outer.

But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah</strong> (אַצִּית אֵשׁ בְּחוֹמַת רַבָּה, <em>atsit esh b'chomat rabbah</em>)—God's judgment comes as consuming fire against Ammon's capital. The Hebrew אַצִּית (<em>atsit</em>, 'I will kindle') emphasizes divine agency; this is not merely human warfare but Yahweh's direct intervention. <strong>With shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) Jeremiah gives a vivid account of the impending doom of Ammon, quoting and expanding this very passage (Jeremiah 49:1-3).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28-37. The inner court and its gates. **according to these measures--**namely, the measures of the outer gate. The figure and proportions of the inner answered to the outer.

And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together</strong> (וְהָלַךְ מַלְכָּם בַּגּוֹלָה, <em>v'halach malkam bagolah</em>)—The Hebrew מַלְכָּם (<em>malkam</em>) is a wordplay: it means both 'their king' and references Molech/Milcom, the Ammonite deity to whom children were sacrificed (1 Kings 11:5, 33). Both human rulers and false gods prove powerless before Yahweh. <strong>...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **Their king**.—Not as Syrian and Vulg. read the original, *Malcam* or *Milcom, i.e.,* Moloch. E.V. is supported by LXX., Targ., and context of the passage. So far we find the prophet denouncing the sin which trifles with blood, covenants, and ancient agreements, and recognising the responsibilities of race; but closer inspection shows in this, and in Amos 2, that the prophet condemns all vio...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28-37. The inner court and its gates. **according to these measures--**namely, the measures of the outer gate. The figure and proportions of the inner answered to the outer.

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