King James Version

What Does Amos 7:14 Mean?

Amos 7:14 in the King James Version says “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a ga...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: sycomore: or, wild figs”

Amos 7:14 · KJV

Context

12

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

13

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. chapel: or, sanctuary king's court: Heb. house of the kingdom

14

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: sycomore: or, wild figs

15

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. as: Heb. from behind

16

Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.

Read Amos 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amos's response to Amaziah the priest of Bethel reveals crucial truths about prophetic calling and divine sovereignty. The phrase "I was no prophet" (lo-navi anokhi) uses the perfect tense, indicating past state—Amos wasn't professionally trained or part of the prophetic guild. "Neither was I a prophet's son" (ben-navi) means he wasn't descended from prophetic lineages or educated in prophetic schools like those at Ramah or Jericho. This statement isn't false modesty but factual autobiography establishing that his prophetic ministry didn't originate from human appointment, training, or succession.

"But I was an herdman" (boqer) indicates Amos raised cattle—not merely a shepherd of sheep but a cattle rancher, suggesting he wasn't poor but a man of some means. "And a gatherer of sycomore fruit" (boles shiqmim) describes seasonal work harvesting and puncturing sycamore figs to accelerate ripening—common agricultural labor in Tekoa's region. These details emphasize Amos's ordinary, non-religious occupation. He had no credentials, no theological degree, no prophetic pedigree—yet God called him.

The implicit continuation (verse 15) makes the point explicit: "And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel." Amos's authority didn't derive from human institutions, training, or lineage but from direct divine commission. This establishes a crucial biblical principle: God's calling supersedes human credentials, professional status, or institutional approval. When God calls, He equips; when He commissions, He authenticates through His Spirit, not human validation.

This passage addresses Amaziah's attempt to silence Amos by appealing to human authority structures. Amaziah, the official priest at the royal sanctuary of Bethel, commanded Amos to flee to Judah and prophesy there—essentially saying "you have no jurisdiction here." Amos's response demolishes such reasoning: his authority comes from Yahweh, not from Jeroboam's court or Israel's religious establishment. God can call anyone—herdsman, fisherman, tax collector—and when He does, no human authority can legitimately silence them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amos prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC), a time of economic expansion but moral decay and social injustice. Though from Tekoa in Judah (about 10 miles south of Jerusalem), God sent him north to prophesy at Bethel, the royal sanctuary where Jeroboam I had established golden calf worship (1 Kings 12:28-29). Bethel had become Israel's primary religious center, rivaling Jerusalem.

When Amos pronounced judgment at Bethel, Amaziah the priest reported him to King Jeroboam as a conspirator and then attempted to expel him (Amos 7:10-13). Amaziah's strategy was to discredit Amos by questioning his credentials and jurisdiction—essentially calling him an unauthorized foreign agitator. In that culture, prophets were often professionals attached to royal courts or religious institutions, earning their living through prophetic activity. Amaziah assumed Amos fit this pattern.

Amos's autobiographical response shattered these assumptions. He wasn't a professional prophet seeking patronage but a successful rancher whom God sovereignly called and sent. This gave him independence from human approval or financial support—he could speak truth without fear of losing his livelihood. His message of coming judgment proved accurate when Assyria destroyed Israel in 722 BC, vindicating his divine calling despite Amaziah's opposition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Amos's example challenge modern assumptions that ministry requires specific credentials, training, or institutional approval?
  2. What does it mean to be called by God rather than merely choosing a religious profession or career?
  3. How should Christians discern between authentic divine calling and self-appointed ministry?
  4. In what ways do church structures and institutions sometimes resist or silence prophetic voices God has raised up?
  5. What does Amos's independence from human approval teach about the relationship between prophetic ministry and financial support?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּ֤עַן1 of 17

“Then answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

עָמוֹס֙2 of 17

“Amos”

H5986

amos, an israelite prophet

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר3 of 17

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל4 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲמַצְיָ֔ה5 of 17

“to Amaziah”

H558

amatsjah, the name of four israelites

לֹא6 of 17
H3808

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

נָבִ֖יא7 of 17

“I was no prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אָנֹ֔כִי8 of 17
H595

i

וְלֹ֥א9 of 17
H3808

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

בֶן10 of 17

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נָבִ֖יא11 of 17

“I was no prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אָנֹ֑כִי12 of 17
H595

i

כִּֽי13 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בוֹקֵ֥ר14 of 17

“but I was an herdman”

H951

a cattle-tender

אָנֹ֖כִי15 of 17
H595

i

וּבוֹלֵ֥ס16 of 17

“and a gatherer”

H1103

to pinch sycamore figs (a process necessary to ripen them)

שִׁקְמִֽים׃17 of 17

“of sycomore fruit”

H8256

a sycamore (usually the tree)

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 7:14 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 7:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 1:1Zechariah 13:52 Kings 4:382 Kings 2:52 Kings 2:32 Chronicles 19:2

Test Your Knowledge

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

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