King James Version

What Does Amos 7:15 Mean?

Amos 7:15 in the King James Version says “And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. as: Heb. fr...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Amos 7:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

Read Amos 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD took me as I followed the flock (וַיִּקָּחֵנִי יְהוָה מֵאַחֲרֵי הַצֹּאן, vayikacheni YHWH me'acharei hatzon)—the verb לָקַח (lakach, 'to take, seize') suggests divine compulsion. Amos didn't volunteer; God took him from shepherding. And the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵךְ הִנָּבֵא אֶל־עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayomer YHWH elai lech hinave el-ami Yisrael)—God's direct command (לֵךְ, lech, 'go!') and claim ('my people') authenticates Amos's message against Amaziah's opposition (7:10-13).

This verse defends prophetic authority: Amos prophesies not by professional training but divine commission. The same pattern appears with Moses (Exodus 3:10), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:7), and New Testament apostles (Galatians 1:1)—God's call, not human credentials, validates ministry. True preaching flows from divine sending, not self-appointment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amaziah the priest of Bethel commanded Amos to stop prophesying (7:12-13), claiming prophetic ministry required institutional approval. Amos responds by affirming his divine commission—God's authority trumps human religious hierarchies. This conflict between institutional religion and prophetic truth recurs throughout Scripture.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's calling provide authority independent of institutional approval or professional credentials?
  2. What's the difference between self-appointed ministry and being 'taken' by God for His purposes?
  3. How should churches respond when God sends messengers who lack traditional credentials but speak His word faithfully?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיִּקָּחֵ֣נִי1 of 12

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יְהוָ֔ה2 of 12

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י3 of 12

“me as I followed”

H310

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

הַצֹּ֑אן4 of 12

“the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר5 of 12

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַי֙6 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 12

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֵ֥ךְ8 of 12
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הִנָּבֵ֖א9 of 12

“prophesy”

H5012

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

אֶל10 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַמִּ֥י11 of 12

“unto my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃12 of 12

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 7:15 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 7:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 7:8Ezekiel 2:3-4Matthew 9:9Jeremiah 1:7Psalms 78:70-72Matthew 4:18-19

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