Amos
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “Burden-bearer”
A herdsman of Tekoa called to prophesy against the northern kingdom’s injustice and complacency, famous for "let judgment run down as waters."
Biography
Amos was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees from Tekoa in Judah, called by God to prophesy against the prosperous, complacent northern kingdom of Israel in the days of Jeroboam II. "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son," he said, "but... the LORD took me as I followed the flock" (Amos 7:14–15).
Justice for the oppressed
Amos thundered against the rich who "sell the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes," trampling the needy while feasting in luxury (Amos 2:6; 6:4–6). His central demand rings down the centuries: "let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24).
Opposition and hope
The priest Amaziah of Bethel tried to silence and expel him, but Amos held firm (Amos 7:10–17). His book ends with a promise of restoration — the raising up of "the tabernacle of David that is fallen" (Amos 9:11), quoted by James at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:16).
Life Timeline
Called from herding to prophesy against Israel
Confronted and expelled by the priest Amaziah
On the Bible timeline
Amos belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Themes & lessons from Amos
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Amos appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 1 bookAmos7 verses
Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Amos 7:8
And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
Amos 7:10
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
Amos 7:11
For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
Amos 7:12
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
Amos 7:14
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
Amos 8:2
And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
Frequently asked about Amos
Who was Amos in the Bible?
A herdsman of Tekoa called to prophesy against the northern kingdom’s injustice and complacency, famous for "let judgment run down as waters."
What does the name Amos mean?
The name Amos means “Burden-bearer”.
What did Amos do in the Bible?
Amos served as prophet, herdsman.
Where does Amos appear in the Bible?
Amos is mentioned 7 times across 1 book: Amos.
What can we learn from Amos?
The story of Amos touches on themes of amaziah, amos, prophets, visions — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Amos's life.
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