Amos 1:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The words {H1697} of Amos {H5986}, who was among the herdmen {H5349} of Tekoa {H8620}, which he saw {H2372} concerning Israel {H3478} in the days {H3117} of Uzziah {H5818} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and in the days {H3117} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, two years {H8141} before {H6440} the earthquake {H7494}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The words of 'Amos, one of the sheep owners in T'koa, which he saw concerning Isra'el in the days of 'Uziyah king of Y'hudah and Yarov'am the son of Yo'ash, king of Isra'el, two years before the earthquake;

Berean Standard Bible

These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.

American Standard Version

The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 1:1 serves as the foundational superscription for the prophetic book of Amos, precisely identifying the author, his humble background, the specific recipients of his divine message, and the historical period of his ministry. This introductory verse establishes the authoritative nature of the prophecy by emphasizing its divine origin ("which he saw") and anchors it firmly within a documented historical context, setting the stage for the impending pronouncements of judgment against both Israel and surrounding nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as the book's superscription, a common literary device in prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah 1:1 - Superscription") or [Jeremiah 1:1-3](/jeremiah/1-1-3 "Jeremiah 1:1-3 - Jeremiah's Call and Context")). It immediately introduces the prophet, Amos, and frames the subsequent content as divinely revealed "words" or "visions." By stating that Amos was "among the herdmen of Tekoa," the text highlights his non-professional prophetic status, a point Amos himself later reiterates when confronted by Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, declaring, "[I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel](/amos/7-14-15 "Amos 7:14-15 - Amos's Humble Calling")" ([Amos 7:14-15](/amos/7-14-15 "Amos's Humble Calling")). This emphasizes that God's choice of messenger is sovereign and not limited by human conventions or professional training, lending greater weight to the divine origin of the message rather than the prophet's human credentials.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied during a period of significant prosperity and political stability for both the Northern Kingdom of Israel under [Jeroboam II](/2_kings/14-23-29 "2 Kings 14:23-29 - Reign of Jeroboam II") and the Southern Kingdom of Judah under [Uzziah](/2_chronicles/26 "2 Chronicles 26 - Reign of Uzziah"). Jeroboam II's reign (c. 793-753 BCE) saw Israel reclaim lost territories and experience economic flourishing, largely due to the weakness of Assyria and Aram. Similarly, Uzziah's reign (c. 792-740 BCE) brought Judah military success, economic growth, and extensive building projects. However, beneath this veneer of affluence, both societies were plagued by deep-seated social injustice, moral decay, and religious syncretism, which Amos vehemently condemns. Tekoa, Amos's hometown, was a small, rural Judean village south of Jerusalem, situated near the wilderness, making his transition from a shepherd to a prophet to the prosperous Northern Kingdom all the more striking. The mention of "two years before the earthquake" is a crucial historical marker, indicating a significant and memorable seismic event that likely occurred around 760-750 BCE. This earthquake was so impactful that it was still remembered centuries later, as referenced in [Zechariah 14:5](/zechariah/14-5 "Zechariah 14:5 - The Great Earthquake"), suggesting it served as a powerful, tangible sign of God's impending judgment, a literal shaking that foreshadowed the spiritual and political upheaval to come.
* **Key Themes:** The superscription introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the book of Amos. Firstly, it establishes the **Divine Call and Authority** of the prophet: the message is not Amos's own opinion but "the words... which he saw," emphasizing its origin as a direct revelation from God. This highlights God's sovereign choice of His messenger, regardless of social standing or professional background. Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty and Imminent Judgment** over nations. Despite the outward prosperity of Israel and Judah, God sees the underlying sin and injustice, and His word of judgment is coming, signaled by the memorable earthquake. This sets up the overarching theme that material success does not equate to divine favor when righteousness is absent. Finally, the timing of the prophecy, delivered during a period of national strength yet just before a significant natural disaster, introduces the theme of **Warning Amidst Complacency**. The earthquake serves as a powerful, tangible metaphor for the shaking that God would bring upon a complacent and unrepentant people, urging them to heed His warnings before it is too late, a message that echoes throughout the book's oracles of judgment against Israel and the surrounding nations, as seen in [Amos 3:1-2](/amos/3-1-2 "Amos 3:1-2 - God's Judgment on Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root meaning "to speak," this term signifies more than mere utterances; it encompasses a "matter" or "thing" that is spoken, a decree, an affair, or a message. In a prophetic context, it denotes a divine utterance, a revelation, or an authoritative pronouncement from God. Thus, "the words of Amos" means the divine message that came through Amos, emphasizing its authoritative and revelatory nature.
* **saw (Hebrew, _châzâh'_):** This primitive root means "to gaze at," "to perceive," or "to contemplate." Specifically in a prophetic sense, it means "to have a vision of" or "to prophesy." Unlike merely "hearing" a word, "seeing" implies a direct, visual, and often profound revelatory experience. Amos's message is therefore not merely heard information but a divinely granted vision or insight into God's will and future actions.
* **herdmen (Hebrew, _nôqêd'_):** This active participle describes one who "spots" or marks sheep or cattle, thus referring to an owner or tender of flocks, a shepherd or sheepmaster. This term specifically denotes a breeder or raiser of a particular type of sheep (often a dark, short-legged variety) or cattle, indicating a person of some substance rather than a mere hireling. This detail highlights Amos's non-professional prophetic background, emphasizing that God chose an ordinary, albeit established, individual from a rural setting for an extraordinary divine commission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The words of Amos":** This opening phrase functions as the book's superscription, immediately establishing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent prophecy. It indicates that the content is not merely Amos's personal opinion or reflections, but a message divinely given to and through him.
* **"who was among the herdmen of Tekoa":** This clause provides crucial biographical information about the prophet. Amos was not from a prophetic guild or priestly lineage, but rather a shepherd or sheep breeder from Tekoa, a small town in Judah. This humble, rural background underscores God's sovereign choice of His messengers, often selecting those least expected by human standards, thereby magnifying the divine source of the message.
* **"which he saw concerning Israel":** This phrase clarifies the nature of the revelation and its primary audience. The verb "saw" (Hebrew: _châzâh_) indicates a prophetic vision or direct divine revelation, emphasizing the authenticity and authority of Amos's pronouncements. The prophecy is "concerning Israel," specifically targeting the Northern Kingdom, though the book also includes oracles against Judah and surrounding nations.
* **"in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel":** This provides precise historical dating for Amos's ministry, placing it during the reigns of two powerful and prosperous kings. Uzziah (also known as Azariah) ruled Judah (c. 792-740 BCE), and Jeroboam II ruled Israel (c. 793-753 BCE). This period was marked by significant national prosperity and territorial expansion for both kingdoms, a backdrop that makes Amos's message of impending judgment particularly striking and ironic.
* **"two years before the earthquake.":** This final temporal marker serves as a vivid and memorable historical reference point for Amos's audience. The earthquake was evidently a significant, widely remembered seismic event, so powerful that it was recalled centuries later in [Zechariah 14:5](/zechariah/14-5 "Zechariah 14:5 - The Earthquake in Zechariah"). This specific dating adds a layer of verifiable historical context and suggests a literal, impactful natural disaster that would have served as a powerful, tangible foreshadowing of the divine judgment Amos was sent to proclaim.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 1:1 employs several significant literary devices. The entire verse functions as a **Superscription**, a common introductory element in prophetic books that provides essential information about the prophet, the nature of the message, and its historical context. This device immediately establishes the authority and divine origin of the text. The phrase "which he **saw**" highlights **Prophetic Vision**, emphasizing that Amos's message is not merely heard or conceived, but a direct, often visual, revelation from God, lending it undeniable divine authority. The **Juxtaposition** of Amos's humble background ("among the herdmen of Tekoa") with the powerful kings of his era (Uzziah and Jeroboam II) subtly underscores God's ability to use ordinary individuals to confront the powerful, and that divine authority transcends earthly status. Finally, the specific mention of "two years before the earthquake" serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing** and **Symbolism**. The literal earthquake, a natural disaster, acts as a tangible sign and a symbolic precursor to the spiritual and political "shaking" and judgment that God would soon bring upon a complacent and unrepentant Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 1:1 profoundly establishes the nature of divine revelation and God's sovereign choice in delivering His message. It asserts that God's word is not confined to the religious elite or professional prophets but can be entrusted to anyone He chooses, regardless of their social standing or background. This highlights God's impartiality and His ultimate authority over human institutions and societal expectations. The verse also immediately sets a tone of impending judgment, demonstrating that even in times of national prosperity, God is keenly aware of underlying sin and injustice. The historical markers, particularly the earthquake, serve as a reminder that God's warnings are real and that His judgments are certain, often heralded by signs in the natural world. This foundational verse insists that God is active in history, holding nations accountable for their moral and spiritual state.

* [Jeremiah 1:4-10](/jeremiah/1-4-10 "Jeremiah's Divine Call and Commission")
* [Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah's Prophetic Superscription")
* [Joel 2:30-31](/joel/2-30-31 "Joel's Prophecy of Signs and Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 1:1 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God often chooses the most unexpected people from the most unassuming places to deliver His most vital messages. This challenges our preconceived notions of who is "qualified" for ministry or divine service, urging us to recognize that God's power is perfected in weakness and His call is based on His sovereign election, not human credentials. We are called to be attentive to God's voice, whether it comes through established channels or through humble, ordinary individuals. Furthermore, the historical context of prosperity juxtaposed with impending judgment serves as a timeless warning: outward success or material affluence does not guarantee spiritual health or divine favor. It compels us to look beyond superficial appearances in our own lives, our churches, and our societies, and to discern the true spiritual and moral condition beneath the surface. The mention of the earthquake powerfully reminds us that God's warnings are real and that complacency in the face of sin can lead to unexpected and severe consequences. True security and peace are found not in worldly achievements or stability, but in a right and repentant relationship with God, actively pursuing justice and righteousness in every sphere of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Amos's background as a "herdman of Tekoa" challenge my assumptions about who God uses to speak His truth today?**
* **In what ways might my own life or my community be experiencing outward prosperity while neglecting underlying spiritual or moral issues?**
* **What "earthquakes"—whether literal or metaphorical—might God be using in our world today to get our attention and warn us of impending judgment or the need for repentance?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's warnings and a deeper commitment to righteousness, even when circumstances seem stable and comfortable?**

### FAQ

**Why is Amos's background as a 'herdman' significant?**

Answer: Amos's background as a "herdman" (Hebrew: _nôqêd_) from Tekoa is highly significant for several reasons. First, it emphasizes his humble, non-professional status. Unlike many prophets who might have come from prophetic guilds or priestly families, Amos was an ordinary individual, a sheep breeder, from a small, rural town in Judah. This underscores that God's choice of messenger is sovereign and not dependent on human qualifications, social standing, or formal training. As Amos himself states in [Amos 7:14-15](/amos/7-14-15 "Amos 7:14-15 - Amos's Humble Calling"), he was "no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit." This highlights the divine origin of his message; it was God who "took" him from his flock and commanded him to prophesy. Second, it adds to the credibility of his message. His outsider status, coming from Judah to prophesy against Israel, and his lack of vested interest in the political or religious establishment of the Northern Kingdom, would have made his pronouncements seem less self-serving and more purely divine.

**What was the significance of the earthquake mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of the earthquake "two years before the earthquake" serves as a crucial historical marker and a powerful symbolic element. Historically, it points to a literal, significant seismic event that was evidently so memorable and impactful that it became a commonly understood chronological reference point for Amos's audience. Its impact was so profound that it was still recalled centuries later by the prophet Zechariah in [Zechariah 14:5](/zechariah/14-5 "Zechariah 14:5 - The Great Earthquake"), which describes people fleeing from a great earthquake in the days of Uzziah. Theologically and symbolically, this earthquake functions as a tangible sign and a **foreshadowing** of the divine judgment Amos was sent to proclaim. It represents the "shaking" that God would bring upon a complacent and unrepentant Israel. Just as the earth literally trembled, so too would their societal structures, economic prosperity, and political stability be shaken by God's impending judgment, serving as a stark warning that God's word is powerful and His judgments are certain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 1:1, as the superscription to a book of divine judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Amos, a humble shepherd called by God to deliver a message of warning and judgment to a prosperous yet corrupt nation, foreshadows Christ in several profound ways. Jesus, though of humble earthly origins in Nazareth, was the ultimate Prophet, the very "Word" (Logos) of God incarnate, as proclaimed in [John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh"). He did not come from the established religious elite but was a carpenter from Galilee, yet He spoke with unparalleled divine authority, declaring, "[Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Enduring Word")" ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "The Enduring Word")). Just as Amos "saw" the words concerning Israel, Jesus embodied the divine vision and delivered God's final and complete revelation. His ministry, like Amos's, began in a time of Roman peace and relative prosperity, yet He brought a message of repentance, warning of impending judgment for those who rejected God's kingdom ([Matthew 4:17](/matthew/4-17 "Matthew 4:17 - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand")). The earthquake mentioned in Amos 1:1, a sign of divine shaking, finds its ultimate parallel in the cosmic signs and judgments associated with Christ's return, described in passages like [Matthew 24:29-31](/matthew/24-29-31 "Matthew 24:29-31 - Signs of the End") and [Revelation 6:12-17](/revelation/6-12-17 "Revelation 6:12-17 - The Sixth Seal and Cosmic Disturbances"), where the very heavens and earth are shaken. Ultimately, while Amos pronounced judgment, Jesus, the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), came not only to warn but to offer the ultimate sacrifice, providing a way of salvation from the very judgment that Amos prophesied, fulfilling the deepest longings of God's heart for His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 14:5

And ye shall flee [to] the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, [and] all the saints with thee.

2 Chronicles 26:1

¶ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

2 Chronicles 26:23

So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

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:

2 Chronicles 11:6

He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

Jeremiah 6:1

¶ O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

2 Chronicles 20:20

¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.