Amos 3:13

KJV

Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085} ye, and testify {H5749} in the house {H1004} of Jacob {H3290}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, the God {H430} of hosts {H6635},

Complete Jewish Bible

"As a shepherd rescues from the mouth of a lion a couple of leg bones or a piece of an ear; so the people of Isra'el in Shomron will be rescued, huddled under cushions in the corners of their beds. "Hear, and testify against the house of Ya'akov," says Adonai ELOHIM Elohei-Tzva'ot.

Berean Standard Bible

Hear and testify against the house of Jacob, declares the Lord GOD, the God of Hosts.

American Standard Version

Hear ye, and testify against the house of Jacob, saith the Lord Jehovah, the God of hosts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 3:13 delivers a solemn divine imperative from the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, commanding the prophet and those who hear to bear witness to the impending judgment upon the "house of Jacob," the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse serves as a climactic declaration of divine authority and an urgent call to proclaim God's word concerning Israel's covenant violations and the inevitable consequences of their sin, underscoring the seriousness of their rebellion and the unshakeable power of the One who speaks.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 3:13 is situated within a powerful prophetic oracle (Amos 3:1-15) where God directly addresses the "children of Israel." The preceding verses establish Israel's unique relationship with God, highlighting that their privileged status as God's chosen people leads to greater accountability for their sins (`/amos/3-1-2 "Amos 3:1-2 - Israel's Unique Relationship and Accountability"`). Amos then uses a series of rhetorical questions to demonstrate the undeniable cause-and-effect relationship between God's actions and His prophetic warnings, culminating in the declaration that God does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets (`/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secrets to His Prophets"`). Verses 9-12 detail the specific injustices and oppressions rampant in Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, setting the stage for the pronouncement of judgment. Thus, verse 13 serves as a divine mandate to proclaim the very judgment that has been meticulously justified and revealed.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Amos was delivered during a period of significant prosperity and political stability for the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). This economic boom, however, was accompanied by severe social injustice, moral decay, and syncretistic worship. The wealthy oppressed the poor, justice was perverted, and the people had largely abandoned the covenant stipulations of Yahweh for idolatry and self-indulgence. Geographically, Samaria, the capital, was a hub of this affluence and corruption. The "house of Jacob" refers specifically to the ten northern tribes, distinct from Judah. In this context, Amos, a shepherd from the southern kingdom of Judah, was an outsider delivering an unwelcome message to a complacent and self-assured nation that believed its prosperity was a sign of divine favor, not a prelude to judgment.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Authority**, emphasizing that the message originates from the supreme Ruler of the universe, "the Lord GOD, the God of hosts." Secondly, it highlights **Israel's Accountability** due to their covenant relationship with Yahweh; their chosen status did not exempt them from judgment but rather heightened their responsibility for violating God's laws, as seen in the detailed accusations in Amos 2:6-8. Thirdly, the command "Hear ye, and testify" underscores the **Prophetic Mandate** to declare God's word faithfully, even when it is a message of impending judgment. This aligns with the principle articulated in Amos 3:8, where the lion's roar (God's voice) compels the prophet to speak. Finally, it foreshadows the theme of **Inevitable Judgment** that pervades the book, as God's warnings are not idle threats but declarations from the one who has the power and intention to execute His word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means to hear intelligently, often implying attention, obedience, and understanding. It's not merely passive auditory reception but an active, responsive listening that leads to action. In this context, it demands a receptive heart and mind to God's solemn declaration.
* **Testify (Hebrew, _ʻûwd'_):** From H5749, this root means to duplicate or repeat, by implication to protest or testify (as by reiteration). It conveys the idea of bearing witness, making a solemn declaration, or giving a warning, often with legal or formal weight. It implies a public, authoritative pronouncement of truth.
* **Hosts (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** From H6635, referring to a mass of persons, especially organized for war (an army), or figuratively, hardship or worship. In the context of "God of hosts" (`/psalms/24-10 "Psalm 24:10 - The Lord of Hosts, the King of Glory"`), it signifies divine control over all heavenly and earthly armies, powers, and cosmic order, emphasizing His omnipotence, sovereign rule, and the irresistible force of His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear ye,"**: This is an urgent, imperative command directed at the audience, likely Amos himself and those who would receive his prophecy. It demands active, obedient attention to the divine message that follows, emphasizing the critical importance of listening to God's word.
* **"and testify"**: Following the command to hear, this imperative instructs the hearers to bear witness to what they have heard. It implies a public proclamation or solemn declaration of God's message, suggesting that the divine word is not meant to be kept silent but must be openly declared.
* **"in the house of Jacob,"**: This specifies the direct target audience of the message: the northern kingdom of Israel. This designation reminds them of their ancestral identity and their unique covenant relationship with God, underscoring their particular accountability for the sins that are about to be judged.
* **"saith the Lord GOD,"**: This phrase introduces the divine speaker, establishing the absolute authority and origin of the message. "Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) signifies God's supreme mastership and His personal, covenantal relationship with Israel, lending immense weight to His declaration.
* **"the God of hosts,"**: This powerful divine title further emphasizes the speaker's omnipotence, sovereignty, and control over all creation, heavenly armies, and earthly affairs. It underscores that the message is not merely a human opinion but an infallible decree from the Almighty, ensuring its certain fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The **Imperative Mood** of "Hear ye, and testify" creates a sense of urgency and direct command, demanding immediate attention and action from the audience. The use of multiple **Divine Titles**—"the Lord GOD, the God of hosts"—serves as a powerful **assertion of authority**, reinforcing the weight, infallibility, and irresistible power of the speaker. This accumulation of titles creates a profound sense of **solemnity and emphasis**, underscoring that the message originates from the highest possible authority. Furthermore, "the house of Jacob" functions as a **Metonymy**, where the ancestral name stands in for the entire nation of Israel, specifically the northern kingdom, providing a direct and personal address that reminds them of their covenant identity and the specific target of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 3:13 powerfully encapsulates the prophetic call to both receive and declare God's truth, particularly concerning His justice and impending judgment. It underscores the dual nature of God as both the covenant-keeping Lord (Yahweh) and the omnipotent Ruler of all creation ("God of hosts"). This combination signifies that His warnings are not idle threats but authoritative decrees from one who possesses both the right and the power to execute His word. The command to "hear and testify" highlights the crucial role of God's people as recipients and heralds of divine revelation, a responsibility that carries immense weight, especially when the message is challenging or unpopular. It reminds us that divine knowledge is not for personal retention alone but for faithful proclamation, even to those who are resistant or rebellious.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-6](/deuteronomy/6-4-6 "Deuteronomy 6:4-6 - The Shema: Hear and Obey")
* [Isaiah 6:8-9](/isaiah/6-8-9 "Isaiah 6:8-9 - Isaiah's Commission to Hear and Speak")
* [Ezekiel 3:17-19](/ezekiel/3-17-19 "Ezekiel 3:17-19 - The Watchman's Responsibility")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 3:13 serves as a timeless reminder of our dual responsibility before God: to listen attentively to His word and to proclaim it faithfully. In a world often deafened by its own noise and resistant to inconvenient truths, the call to "hear" God's voice through Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit remains paramount. This hearing must be active, leading to understanding and obedience, rather than passive reception. Subsequently, the command to "testify" compels us to be courageous communicators of God's truth, whether it is a message of hope, righteousness, or warning. Just as Amos delivered a stark message to a complacent nation, believers today are called to speak God's truth into a world that desperately needs it, trusting in the authority of "the Lord GOD, the God of hosts." This involves living out our faith authentically and sharing the gospel with boldness, knowing that the One who speaks is sovereign over all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How diligently do I "hear" God's voice in my daily life through His Word and prayer?**
* **In what ways am I called to "testify" to God's truth in my sphere of influence, even when it might be challenging or unpopular?**
* **How does understanding God as "the Lord GOD, the God of hosts" impact my reverence for His commands and my confidence in His promises?**
* **What specific injustices or moral compromises in my own "house" (my life, family, community) might God be calling me to address or testify against?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "house of Jacob" being addressed in this verse?**

Answer: The "house of Jacob" in Amos 3:13 refers specifically to the northern kingdom of Israel, comprised of the ten tribes that separated from the southern kingdom of Judah after the reign of Solomon. While "Jacob" is the patriarch of all Israel, in the context of Amos, it often denotes the northern kingdom, particularly its capital Samaria, which was the primary focus of Amos's prophecies of judgment due to their widespread idolatry, social injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness. The prophet is delivering God's solemn message directly to them.

**What is the significance of the title "the Lord GOD, the God of hosts"?**

Answer: This powerful double appellation emphasizes the absolute authority and omnipotence of the speaker. "The Lord GOD" (Hebrew: *Adonai Yahweh*) combines God's title as sovereign Master (*Adonai*) with His covenant name (*Yahweh*), signifying His personal relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His promises, even as He pronounces judgment. "The God of hosts" (Hebrew: *Elohei Tseba'ot*) further underscores His supreme power and control over all heavenly and earthly armies, forces, and cosmic order. This combined title assures the audience that the message is not merely a human utterance but an infallible decree from the Almighty Creator and Ruler, whose word will certainly come to pass. It highlights that the judgment pronounced is not arbitrary but comes from the one who holds ultimate power over all things, as seen in passages like [Psalm 24:10](/psalms/24-10 "Psalm 24:10 - The Lord of Hosts, the King of Glory").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 3:13, with its divine command to "hear and testify" from "the Lord GOD, the God of hosts," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profoundest meaning in Jesus Christ. The very "God of hosts" who spoke through Amos is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ Himself (`/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Christ"`). Jesus is the supreme revelation of God's Word, the one whom we are supremely called to "hear" (`/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - Hear Him!"`). He came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (`/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law"`), including the warnings of judgment for sin. Moreover, the command to "testify" finds its ultimate expression in the Great Commission given by Christ to His disciples: to go and make disciples of all nations, bearing witness to His life, death, and resurrection, and proclaiming the good news of salvation and the call to repentance (`/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Be My Witnesses"`). The judgment pronounced on the "house of Jacob" foreshadows the universal judgment against all who reject God's truth, but in Christ, there is an escape from the wrath to come for all who believe in Him (`/john/3-16-18 "John 3:16-18 - God So Loved the World"`). Thus, the ancient prophetic call to hear and testify becomes the New Testament mandate to proclaim Christ, the one who is both the righteous Judge and the merciful Savior.

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

Acts 2:40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Ezekiel 2:7

And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

2 Kings 17:13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Chronicles 24:19

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Kings 17:15

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that [were] round about them, [concerning] whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.