King James Version

What Does Amos 2:12 Mean?

Amos 2:12 in the King James Version says “But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.” — study this verse from Amos chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.”

Amos 2:12 · KJV

Context

10

Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.

11

And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD.

12

But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

13

Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. I am: or, I will press your place, as a cart full of sheaves presseth

14

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: himself: Heb. his soul, or, life

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink—The Hebrew vattashqu et-Nezirim yayin (וַתַּשְׁקוּ אֶת־הַנְּזִרִים יָיִן) describes forcing consecrated Nazirites to violate their vows. Nazirites took vows abstaining from wine, cutting hair, and touching corpses (Numbers 6:1-21), dedicating themselves wholly to God. Making them drink wine violated their sacred commitment and mocked their devotion. And commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not—Ve'al-ha-nevi'im tsivvitem lemor lo tinnave'u (וְעַל־הַנְּבִיאִים צִוִּיתֶם לֵאמֹר לֹא תִנָּבְאוּ) means Israel commanded prophets to cease speaking God's Word. This represents deliberate suppression of divine revelation.

This verse concludes Amos's indictment of Israel (2:6-12) with their most damning sin: actively corrupting those dedicated to God (Nazirites) and silencing those who speak for God (prophets). After recounting God's gracious acts—destroying the Amorites (v. 9), bringing them from Egypt (v. 10), raising up prophets and Nazirites (v. 11)—Amos reveals Israel's response: perverting the holy and muzzling the truth. The contrast is devastating: God gave them everything; they repay Him with contempt.

The Hebrew verb tsivvitem (צִוִּיתֶם, "you commanded") is the same root used for God's commandments. Israel presumed to issue counter-commands opposing God's will: "Don't prophesy!" This directly violates Deuteronomy 18:18-22, which mandates listening to God's prophets. Amos himself faced this hostility—Amaziah the priest commanded him: "O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah... but prophesy not again any more at Bethel" (Amos 7:12-13). Israel wanted comfortable lies, not convicting truth. This anticipates Paul's warning: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nazirites like Samson and Samuel represented consecration to God's service. Their visible commitment (long hair, abstinence) served as living testimony to covenant faithfulness. By corrupting Nazirites, Israel eliminated witnesses to holiness. Similarly, silencing prophets removed the voice calling them to repentance. This created an echo chamber where sin faced no challenge.

Amos experienced this rejection firsthand when Amaziah tried to expel him (Amos 7:10-17). The pattern continues: Jeremiah was imprisoned for unpopular prophecies (Jeremiah 37-38); Zechariah was stoned (2 Chronicles 24:20-22); John the Baptist was beheaded (Matthew 14:1-12); Stephen was martyred (Acts 7:54-60). Israel's hostility to prophets culminated in crucifying the ultimate Prophet, Jesus Christ (Luke 13:33-34; Acts 7:51-53). Rejecting God's messengers is rejecting God Himself.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern Christians tempt consecrated believers to compromise their convictions, and what does this reveal about our own spiritual condition?
  2. In what ways do churches and individuals today effectively command prophetic voices to "prophesy not" by marginalizing uncomfortable biblical teaching, and how should we respond?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַתַּשְׁק֥וּ1 of 10

“to drink”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת2 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַנְּזִרִ֖ים3 of 10

“But ye gave the Nazarites”

H5139

separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)

יָ֑יִן4 of 10

“wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְעַל5 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַנְּבִיאִים֙6 of 10

“the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

צִוִּיתֶ֣ם7 of 10

“and commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לֵאמֹ֔ר8 of 10

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֖א9 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִּנָּבְאֽוּ׃10 of 10

“Prophesy”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Amos. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Amos 2:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Amos 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 30:10Amos 7:13Micah 2:6Jeremiah 11:21Amos 7:16

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