Amos (Person)

Biblical Account

Amos is the prophet (one who speaks the word of God on His behalf) whose message is recorded in the Book of Amos. Amos 1:1 introduces him as a herdsman of Tekoa. His ministry is dated to the days of Uzziah king of Judah and of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, "two years before the earthquake." This Jeroboam is commonly called Jeroboam II. In Amos 7:14-15 he states that he was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son. He was a man who tended sheep and cared for sycamore (sycamore-fig) trees, and the LORD called him to prophesy to Israel.

Although Amos was from the southern kingdom of Judah, he directed his message chiefly to the northern kingdom of Israel. After rebuking the sins of the surrounding nations one by one, he indicted the sins of Israel (chapters 1-2). He condemned the oppression of the poor and empty, ritualistic sacrifice (Amos 5:21-24). Through visions of locusts, fire, a plumb line, and a basket of summer fruit, he announced coming judgment (chapters 7-8). Amos 7:10-17 records that Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, accused Amos before the king and told him to return to Judah. The Bible does not record Amos's death.

Significance Within Scripture

Amos is regarded as one of the earliest of the prophets whose prophecies were preserved in book form, and he was a contemporary of Hosea. The judgment he announced is commonly read in connection with the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. The New Testament does not mention him by name, but it quotes his writings. Stephen quoted Amos 5:25-27, citing it as "the book of the prophets" (Acts 7:42-43). At the Council of Jerusalem, James cited Amos 9:11-12, the promise to build again "the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down," as grounds for the salvation of the Gentiles (Acts 15:16-17).

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• The Hebrew word translated "herdsman" in 1:1 is also used of Mesha king of Moab (2 Kings 3:4). Opinions therefore differ on whether Amos should be seen as a poor shepherd or as an owner of livestock.
• Some critical scholars hold that 9:11-15, which promises restoration, was added at a later time. Conservative interpreters regard this section as also belonging to the prophecy of Amos.
• The account that Amos was put to death by Amaziah's party is found only in later Jewish tradition outside the Bible; Scripture contains no such record.
• The New Korean Revised Version also renders the name of Isaiah's father as "Amos" (Isaiah 1:1; Amoz in English Bibles), but the Hebrew name is different, and he is a separate person. The Amos of Luke 3:25 is also a different individual.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Amos is often introduced as "the prophet of justice." Amos 5:24, "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream," is frequently quoted in sermons addressing the church's social responsibility. Amos 8:11, which speaks of a famine of hearing the words of the LORD, is also often used in preaching. Some sermons cite his call narrative (7:14-15) as an example of an ordinary working person being called by God.