King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Complete Jewish Bible:
The lion has roared. Who will not fear? ADONAI, God, has spoken. Who will not prophesy?
Berean Standard Bible:
The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken— who will not prophesy?
American Standard Version:
The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The lion{H738} hath roared{H7580}, who will not{H3808} fear{H3372}? the Lord{H136} GOD{H3069} hath spoken{H1696}, who can but prophesy{H5012}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Amos 3:4
- Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
Acts 4:20
- For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Jeremiah 20:9
- Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay].
Amos 1:2
- And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
Revelation 5:5
- And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
1 Corinthians 9:16
- For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
Amos 2:12
- But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.
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Commentary for Amos 3:8
Amos 3:8 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Amos, who was a shepherd and fig farmer called by God to deliver prophecies to the kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BCE. This period was marked by political stability and economic prosperity, particularly for the northern kingdom of Israel, but it was also a time of significant social injustice and religious apostasy. The people had drifted from God's laws, engaging in idolatry and exploiting the poor.
The verse itself uses two vivid metaphors to convey its message. The lion's roar is a universally recognized sign of danger and power, evoking an instinctive fear in those who hear it. Similarly, when the Lord GOD speaks, it is with such authority and power that it impels the prophet to respond. The rhetorical questions, "who will not fear?" and "who can but prophesy?" suggest that the appropriate response to God's word is both reverence and obedience. The verse emphasizes the inescapable impact of God's pronouncements: just as the roar of a lion naturally elicits fear, God's speech naturally compels the prophet to proclaim His message.
In its historical context, Amos 3:8 serves as a reminder of the prophetic call and the divine imperative behind Amos's mission. Despite his humble origins and lack of formal training, Amos is compelled to speak on behalf of God, declaring judgments against the nations, including Israel, for their transgressions. The verse underscores the theme of divine justice and the certainty that God's word will be made known through His messengers, who are duty-bound to deliver it, regardless of the consequences.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H738
There are 184 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲרִי
Transliteration: ʼărîy
Pronunciation: ar-ee'
Description: or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). - Strong's Number: H7580
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַג
Transliteration: shâʼag
Pronunciation: shaw-ag'
Description: a primitive root; to rumble or moan; [idiom] mightily, roar. - Strong's Number: H3808
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֹא
Transliteration: lôʼ
Pronunciation: lo
Description: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. - Strong's Number: H3372
There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרֵא
Transliteration: yârêʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). - Strong's Number: H136
There are 910 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲדֹנָי
Transliteration: ʼĂdônây
Pronunciation: ad-o-noy'
Description: an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord. - Strong's Number: H3069
There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוִה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvih
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vee'
Description: a variation of יְהֹוָה (used after אֲדֹנָי, and pronounced by Jews as אֱלֹהִים, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce יְהֹוָה as אֲדֹנָי); {YHWH}; God. - Strong's Number: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - Strong's Number: H5012
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבָא
Transliteration: nâbâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.