Amos 3:7

KJV

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

KJV (with Strong's)

Surely the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} will do {H6213} nothing {H1697}, but he revealeth {H1540} his secret {H5475} unto his servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, God, does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Berean Standard Bible

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

American Standard Version

Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 3:7 declares a foundational principle of God's interaction with humanity: the Lord GOD, in His sovereign power, does not execute His significant plans or judgments without first revealing His intentions to His chosen messengers, the prophets. This verse underscores God's deliberate and communicative nature, highlighting His intimate relationship with those He commissions to speak on His behalf, ensuring that His actions are never arbitrary but are preceded by divine disclosure and warning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 3:7 is nestled within a powerful rhetorical section (Amos 3:3-8) where the prophet Amos establishes the divine origin and inevitability of his message of judgment against Israel. He employs a series of cause-and-effect rhetorical questions: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" ([Amos 3:3](/amos/3-3 "Amos 3:3 - Agreement Before Action")); "Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey?" ([Amos 3:4](/amos/3-4 "Amos 3:4 - The Lion's Roar and Prey")); "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?" ([Amos 3:6](/amos/3-6 "Amos 3:6 - The Trumpet's Warning")). These questions lead to the inescapable conclusion in Amos 3:8 that "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" ([Amos 3:8](/amos/3-8 "Amos 3:8 - The Inevitability of Prophecy")). Verse 7 serves as the theological linchpin, explaining *why* Amos is prophesying: because God has revealed His "secret" to him and other prophets, thereby legitimizing their pronouncements as divine decrees rather than human opinions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of relative peace and prosperity under King Jeroboam II (circa 760-750 BC). Despite external stability, internal corruption was rampant, characterized by social injustice, oppression of the poor, moral decay, and widespread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal and the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Amos, a shepherd and fig-picker from Judah, was sent by God to confront this spiritual and moral decline, warning of imminent judgment, specifically the Assyrian invasion and exile. In a culture where prophets often served as royal advisors or cultic functionaries, Amos stood apart as a direct messenger of Yahweh, challenging the prevailing religious and political complacency. His message was often met with resistance, as seen in his confrontation with Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, who accused Amos of conspiracy ([Amos 7:10-13](/amos/7-10-13 "Amos 7:10-13 - Amaziah's Accusation")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in the book of Amos and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty**, portraying God as the ultimate initiator and orchestrator of all events, including judgment. Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or permission. Secondly, it highlights **Prophetic Revelation**, affirming the unique role of prophets as God's chosen conduits for communicating His will and plans to humanity. They are not merely foretellers but "servants" who stand in God's counsel. Thirdly, it underscores God's **Justice and Faithfulness**; He does not bring judgment without ample warning, providing an opportunity for repentance, even if Israel ultimately fails to heed it. This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic literature, such as in [Isaiah 1:18-20](/isaiah/1-18-20 "Isaiah 1:18-20 - Invitation to Reason") and [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This compound title emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. `ʼĂdônây` (H136) signifies "Master" or "Lord," denoting His supreme authority and ownership. `Yᵉhôvih` (H3069) is a special vocalization of the divine name YHWH (Yahweh), used specifically when `ʼĂdônây` precedes it, to avoid repeating the same sound (as Jews would pronounce YHWH as `ʼĂdônây`). This combination powerfully conveys that the sovereign Master, the covenant-keeping God of Israel, is the one acting and revealing.
* **revealeth (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** From the primitive root `gâlâh` (H1540), meaning "to uncover," "to denude," or "to disclose." In this context, it signifies the act of making known what was previously hidden or secret. It implies a deliberate unveiling, a removal of a veil or covering, to expose truth or intent. The active participle form used here ("he revealing") emphasizes the continuous and characteristic nature of God's disclosure.
* **secret (Hebrew, _çôwd'_):** From `çôwd` (H5475), this word carries a rich meaning beyond mere hidden information. It refers to a "council," "intimacy," or "confidential deliberation." It suggests a shared plan or decision made within a trusted circle. When God reveals His `çôwd`, He is not just giving information; He is inviting His prophets into His divine counsel, sharing His intimate thoughts and purposes, treating them as trusted confidants rather than mere servants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,"**: This opening clause asserts God's absolute control and intentionality. It implies that no significant event, especially concerning His people or the world, occurs without His prior knowledge, decree, and active involvement. It sets the stage for the subsequent revelation, emphasizing that God's actions are purposeful and deliberate, not random or impulsive.
* **"but he revealeth his secret"**: This is the crucial conjunction, presenting the necessary condition for God's action. Before He "does" anything of consequence, particularly judgment or a major plan, He first "reveals" it. The term "secret" (`çôwd`) here refers to His intimate counsel, His divine plans, and His hidden purposes. This revelation is not merely information but an an invitation into His divine deliberation.
* **"unto his servants the prophets."**: This specifies the recipients of God's revelation. The "servants" (`ʻebed`, H5650) are those who are devoted to His will, and specifically, "the prophets" (`nâbîyʼ`, H5030) are His chosen spokespersons. This highlights their unique and privileged position as God's confidants and messengers, entrusted with communicating His divine will and warnings to humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 3:7 is a powerful statement that functions as a **Theological Principle** within the broader rhetorical argument of Amos 3. It serves as the logical conclusion and justification for the preceding **Rhetorical Questions** (Amos 3:3-6), establishing the divine source of Amos's prophecy. The verse itself employs **Divine Sovereignty** as its central theme, asserting God's absolute control over events and His deliberate method of operation. The use of "secret" (Hebrew: `çôwd`) is a subtle form of **Metonymy**, where the "secret" (the content of the counsel) stands for the "counsel" or "intimate deliberation" itself. This choice of word elevates the revelation from mere information to a sharing of divine intimacy, portraying the prophets as privileged participants in God's inner circle. The verse also functions as a **Proleptic Declaration**, anticipating and validating the pronouncements of judgment that Amos is about to deliver, grounding them firmly in the revealed will of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 3:7 articulates a profound theological truth about God's character: His deliberate, communicative, and just nature. He is not a capricious deity who acts without warning, but a sovereign Lord who, out of His faithfulness and desire for humanity to respond, reveals His intentions before executing His plans, especially those involving judgment or significant shifts in history. This principle underscores the importance of divine revelation and the unique role of prophets as God's chosen conduits. It demonstrates God's commitment to relationship, inviting His chosen servants into His "counsel" and entrusting them with His "secrets." This divine pattern of revelation serves as a testament to God's desire for humanity to understand His ways and respond accordingly, even when the message is one of impending judgment.

* [Genesis 18:17](/genesis/18-17 "Genesis 18:17 - God Reveals to Abraham")
* [Jeremiah 23:22](/jeremiah/23-22 "Jeremiah 23:22 - Standing in God's Counsel")
* [Psalm 25:14](/psalms/25-14 "Psalm 25:14 - The Secret of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 3:7 offers profound insights into the character of God and our relationship with Him. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of the world, and He operates with purpose and intentionality. His actions are not random, but part of a grand divine plan. The fact that He reveals His "secret" to His servants, the prophets, speaks to His desire for humanity to be informed, to understand His will, and to respond. For us today, while the specific office of Old Testament prophet has changed, the principle of God revealing His will remains. God primarily reveals His "secrets"—His plans, His character, His truth, and His will for our lives—through His inspired Word, the Bible, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with God, characterized by diligent study of Scripture and attentive listening to the Spirit's leading. It encourages us to seek His counsel, to understand His heart, and to align our lives with His revealed purposes, so that we too might be His "servants" who understand and participate in His divine agenda.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does God reveal His "secrets" to believers today?**
* **How does understanding God's communicative nature impact your trust in His plans, even when they are difficult?**
* **What does it mean for you to be a "servant" of God in light of this verse, and how can you better align yourself with His revealed will?**

### FAQ

**Does Amos 3:7 mean God tells us everything before it happens?**

Answer: Not necessarily "everything" in the sense of every minute detail of future events, but rather His significant plans, especially those involving His covenant people or major historical shifts. The "secret" (Hebrew: `çôwd`) refers more to His intimate counsel, His divine purposes, and His overarching will, particularly concerning judgment or salvation. God reveals enough of His plans to His chosen messengers (the prophets in the Old Testament, and through His Word and Spirit today) to ensure that His actions are understood as deliberate and just, not arbitrary. The purpose is often to provide warning, call to repentance, or prepare His people for what He is about to do, as seen in [God's revelation to Noah about the flood](/genesis/6-13 "Genesis 6:13 - God Warns Noah") or [Jesus' predictions of His own suffering and resurrection](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 3:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Old Testament prophets were God's "servants" to whom He revealed His "secret" plans, Jesus is not merely a servant but the very Son of God, the full and final revelation of God Himself. As the Word made flesh, Jesus embodies the divine `çôwd`, making known the Father's heart and eternal purposes in a way no prophet ever could. John's Gospel declares, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Declares the Father")). Jesus Himself stated, "All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" ([John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus Reveals to His Friends")), elevating His disciples from servants to friends, sharing the intimate counsel of God. Through Christ, God's ultimate "secret"—the mystery of His redemptive plan for humanity—has been fully unveiled. The New Testament reveals that this "mystery... has been made manifest to His saints" ([Colossians 1:26](/colossians/1-26 "Colossians 1:26 - The Mystery Revealed")) through Christ, in whom "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures in Christ")). Thus, Christ is both the revealer and the revealed "secret" of God, through whom all of God's purposes, including judgment and salvation, are perfectly accomplished.

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

John 15:15

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Genesis 18:17

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Revelation 1:1

¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:

Daniel 9:22

And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Genesis 6:13

¶ And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.