King James Version

What Does Amos 7:1 Mean?

Amos 7:1 in the King James Version says “Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the la...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. grasshoppers: or, green worms”

Amos 7:1 · KJV

Context

1

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. grasshoppers: or, green worms

2

And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. by: or, who of (or, for,) Jacob shall stand?

3

The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

Read Amos 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me (koh hir'ani Adonai YHWH, כֹּה הִרְאַנִי אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה)—this introduces the first of five symbolic visions (7:1-9, 8:1-3, 9:1-4) revealing God's intentions toward Israel. The phrase "showed me" (hir'ani, from רָאָה ra'ah, "to see") indicates prophetic vision—God visually reveals His purposes to Amos, who then reports them.

He formed grasshoppers (yotzer govai, יוֹצֵר גֹּבַי)—the verb yatsar (יָצַר, "formed/fashioned") is used of God creating Adam (Genesis 2:7) and forming Israel (Isaiah 43:1, 44:2, 21). Here God "forms" or "creates" a locust swarm (govai, likely young locusts/grasshoppers). This connects to covenant curses: Deuteronomy 28:38, 42 threatens locust devastation if Israel violates covenant. The timing matters: in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings (bitkillot la'alot halaqesh vehineh-leqesh achar gizei hamelekh)—the "latter growth" was the second crop after the king took his portion. Locusts devouring this crop meant total loss—the people would starve.

Verse 2 continues: Amos intercedes, and God relents ("The LORD repented for this: It shall not be"). This vision teaches several truths: (1) God's judgments are warnings, not inevitable fate—repentance can avert them; (2) prophetic intercession matters—Amos's prayer moved God; (3) God's "repentance" (relenting/changing course) doesn't contradict His immutability but demonstrates His responsiveness to human repentance and intercession (Exodus 32:14; Jonah 3:10).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Locust plagues were devastating in the ancient Near East, capable of destroying entire harvests in hours (Exodus 10:1-20; Joel 1:4). The "king's mowings" refers to the royal tax—kings claimed first portion of crops (1 Samuel 8:15). The second growth fed the people; if locusts destroyed it, famine resulted. Amos's vision shows God forming judgment, but his intercession delays it. This pattern continues through chapters 7-8: God shows judgment, Amos prays, God relents—until finally God declares, "I will not again pass by them any more" (7:8, 8:2). Israel's persistent impenitence exhausted divine patience.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do God's warnings of judgment demonstrate His mercy in providing opportunity for repentance?
  2. What role does intercessory prayer play in averting or delaying divine judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כֹּ֤ה1 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

הִרְאַ֙נִי֙2 of 15

“shewed”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 15

“Thus hath the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה4 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

וְהִנֵּה֙5 of 15
H2009

lo!

יוֹצֵ֣ר6 of 15

“unto me and behold he formed”

H3335

to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)

גֹּבַ֔י7 of 15

“grasshoppers”

H1462

the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae)

בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת8 of 15

“in the beginning”

H8462

a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)

עֲל֣וֹת9 of 15

“of the shooting up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לֶ֔קֶשׁ10 of 15

“and lo it was the latter growth”

H3954

the after crop

וְהִ֨נֵּה11 of 15
H2009

lo!

לֶ֔קֶשׁ12 of 15

“and lo it was the latter growth”

H3954

the after crop

אַחַ֖ר13 of 15

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

גִּזֵּ֥י14 of 15

“mowings”

H1488

a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃15 of 15

“the king's”

H4428

a king

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 7:1 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 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 1:4Amos 8:1Isaiah 33:4Nahum 3:15-17Amos 4:9Joel 2:25

Test Your Knowledge

Amos 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterAmos Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Amos 7 with CommentaryAll Amos ChaptersComplete Amos QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes