King James Version

What Does Amos 7:5 Mean?

Amos 7:5 in the King James Version says “Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. by: or, who of (or, for,) Ja...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. by: or, who of (or, for,) Jacob shall stand?”

Amos 7:5 · KJV

Context

3

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

4

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.

5

Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. by: or, who of (or, for,) Jacob shall stand?

6

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

7

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee (וָאֹמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה חֲדַל־נָא)—Amos's second intercession mirrors the first (verse 2) but uses a different verb. Where verse 2 pleaded "forgive" (selach, סְלַח), here he cries "cease" (chadal, חֲדַל). The verb chadal (חָדַל) means "stop/cease/desist/leave off." Amos isn't requesting forgiveness of sin but cessation of judgment—essentially, "Please stop this destruction!" The urgency is palpable; the prophet desperately pleads for God to halt the consuming fire before it obliterates Israel.

By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small (מִי יָקוּם יַעֲקֹב כִּי קָטֹן הוּא)—This is identical to verse 2, emphasizing consistency in Amos's intercessory argument. The rhetorical question "by whom shall Jacob arise?" (mi yaqum Ya'akov, מִי יָקוּם יַעֲקֹב) appeals to God's covenant purposes. If He destroys Jacob completely, through whom will His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be fulfilled? The description "he is small" (qaton hu, קָטֹן הוּא) emphasizes Israel's weakness and insignificance apart from divine grace.

Amos's intercession demonstrates the prophet's pastoral heart. Though called to announce judgment, he doesn't relish destruction but pleads for mercy. This aligns with God's own heart: "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ezekiel 33:11). The pattern of prophetic intercession appears throughout Scripture: Abraham for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33), Moses for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14, 31-32; Numbers 14:13-19), Samuel for Israel (1 Samuel 7:5-9, 12:19-23), Daniel for Judah (Daniel 9:3-19). True prophets combine faithful proclamation of God's word with compassionate intercession for God's people.

The Reformed understanding of prayer includes this mystery: God invites—even commands—His people to intercede, and their prayers genuinely affect outcomes, yet God's sovereignty remains absolute. Prayer doesn't manipulate God but aligns with His ordained means for accomplishing His will. God has determined both the end (showing mercy to Israel) and the means (Amos's intercession). This elevates rather than diminishes prayer's significance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amos's second intercession follows the same pattern as the first: vision of judgment, prophetic plea, divine relenting (verse 6). The repetition emphasizes God's patience and willingness to delay judgment when His servants intercede. However, this pattern doesn't continue indefinitely. The third and fourth visions (7:7-9, 8:1-3) include no intercession and result in irrevocable judgment. The shift from relenting to finality marks a crucial turning point.

Theologically, this teaches that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite. There comes a point where persistent impenitence exhausts divine forbearance. Proverbs 29:1 warns: "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Israel received multiple warnings through Amos and other prophets (Hosea, Jonah, possibly Joel), yet they refused to repent (Amos 4:6-11 catalogs judgments Israel ignored). Eventually, God declared "I will not again pass by them any more" (7:8, 8:2), and within decades, Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom (722 BC).

The historical lesson for the church: don't presume on divine patience. Hebrews 3:7-8 warns: "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Second Corinthians 6:2 declares: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Delayed judgment is mercy providing opportunity for repentance, not proof that judgment won't come. Those who harden their hearts against repeated warnings will face "sudden destruction" (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Amos's repeated intercession balance prophetic proclamation of judgment with pastoral compassion for God's people?
  2. What does the transition from God relenting (verses 3, 6) to declaring irrevocable judgment (verses 8, 8:2) teach about the limits of divine patience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וָאֹמַ֗ר1 of 11

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֤י2 of 11

“I O Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִה֙3 of 11

“GOD”

H3069

god

חֲדַל4 of 11

“cease”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

נָ֔א5 of 11
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מִ֥י6 of 11
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יָק֖וּם7 of 11

“arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יַעֲקֹ֑ב8 of 11

“I beseech thee by whom shall Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

כִּ֥י9 of 11
H3588

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

קָטֹ֖ן10 of 11

“for he is small”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

הֽוּא׃11 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 7:5 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 7:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 85:4Amos 7:2-3Isaiah 10:25Isaiah 1:9Joel 2:17Jeremiah 30:19

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