King James Version

What Does Amos 4:7 Mean?

Amos 4:7 in the King James Version says “And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain u... — study this verse from Amos chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

Amos 4:7 · KJV


Context

5

And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. offer: Heb. offer by burning this: Heb. so ye love

6

And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

7

And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

8

So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

9

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. when: or, the multitude of your gardens, etc. did the palmerworm


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest (וְגַם אָנֹכִי מָנַעְתִּי מִכֶּם אֶת־הַגֶּשֶׁם בְּעוֹד שְׁלֹשָׁה חֳדָשִׁים לַקָּצִיר)—God controls weather patterns to discipline covenant violators. The 'three months to harvest' specifies the critical late spring rains (March-April) essential for grain maturation. Without them, crops fail. I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city (וְהִמְטַרְתִּי עַל־עִיר אֶחָת וְעַל־עִיר אַחַת לֹא אַמְטִיר)—Selective judgment demonstrated divine intentionality. Random weather is natural; discriminate drought is supernatural warning.

This second disciplinary measure escalates from famine (v. 6) to drought. The Hebrew emphasizes divine agency: 'I withholden... I caused... I caused not.' Israel couldn't blame climate—God orchestrated these patterns. Deuteronomy 28:23-24 warned: 'Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.' When covenant blessings (rain, fertility) become covenant curses (drought, barrenness), the message is unmistakable: return to God. Yet Israel's response? 'Yet have ye not returned unto me.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's agricultural economy depended entirely on seasonal rains. The early rains (Oct-Nov) softened ground for plowing; late rains (Mar-Apr) matured crops for May harvest. Mediterranean climate made Israel perpetually vulnerable to drought, necessitating absolute dependence on God's provision (Deuteronomy 11:10-17). Amos shows God using natural patterns to communicate covenantal realities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereign control over 'secular' realities like weather challenge your tendency to separate sacred and secular spheres of life?
  2. When blessings you assumed were automatic suddenly disappear, do you recognize potential divine discipline calling you to examine your walk with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְגַ֣ם1 of 28
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אָנֹכִי֩2 of 28
H595

i

מָנַ֨עְתִּי3 of 28

And also I have withholden

H4513

to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury

מִכֶּ֜ם4 of 28
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֶת5 of 28
H853

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

הַגֶּ֗שֶׁם6 of 28

the rain

H1653

a shower

בְּע֨וֹד7 of 28
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה8 of 28

from you when there were yet three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

חֳדָשִׁים֙9 of 28

months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

לַקָּצִ֔יר10 of 28

to the harvest

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

תַמְטִ֥יר11 of 28

and I caused it to rain

H4305

to rain

עַל12 of 28
H5921

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

עִ֥יר13 of 28

city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אַחַת֙14 of 28

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְעַל15 of 28
H5921

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

עִ֥יר16 of 28

city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אַחַת֙17 of 28

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לֹ֣א18 of 28
H3808

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

תַמְטִ֥יר19 of 28

and I caused it to rain

H4305

to rain

וְחֶלְקָ֛ה20 of 28

piece

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

אַחַת֙21 of 28

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

תַמְטִ֥יר22 of 28

and I caused it to rain

H4305

to rain

וְחֶלְקָ֛ה23 of 28

piece

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

אֲשֶֽׁר24 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא25 of 28
H3808

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

תַמְטִ֥יר26 of 28

and I caused it to rain

H4305

to rain

עָלֶ֖יהָ27 of 28
H5921

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

תִּיבָֽשׁ׃28 of 28

not withered

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)


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 4:7 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 4:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study