7:9 7:9

Amos 7:10

7:11 7:11

Bible Versions

¶ 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.
Then Amaziah {H558} the priest {H3548} of Bethel {H1008} sent {H7971} to Jeroboam {H3379} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Amos {H5986} hath conspired {H7194} against thee in the midst {H7130} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}: the land {H776} is not able {H3201} to bear {H3557} all his words {H1697}.
Then Amatzyah the priest of Beit-El sent this message to Yarov'am king of Isra'el, "'Amos is conspiring against you there among the people of Isra'el, and the land can't bear all that he's saying.
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words,
Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el 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 7:10 records a pivotal moment in the prophet Amos's ministry, revealing the direct opposition he faced from the religious establishment in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This verse marks the official accusation leveled against Amos by Amaziah, the chief priest at Bethel, to King Jeroboam II.

Context

The prophet Amos, a shepherd and fig-picker from Judah, was called by God to prophesy against the prosperous but spiritually corrupt Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Jeroboam II. His messages were primarily ones of impending judgment due to Israel's idolatry, social injustice, and moral decay. In the preceding verses of Amos 7, Amos delivers a series of visions of judgment, culminating in a direct prophecy against the house of Jeroboam (Amos 7:9), stating that the king would die by the sword and Israel would go into exile. This verse is Amaziah's reaction to such bold pronouncements, which were perceived as a direct threat to the king and the state-sanctioned religion.

Key Themes

  • Opposition to God's Word: Amaziah represents the entrenched religious and political power structure that resisted the uncomfortable truth of God's judgment delivered through Amos. His accusation highlights the clash between divine revelation and human authority.
  • False Accusation and Misrepresentation: Amaziah twists Amos's prophetic message, which was a spiritual warning, into a political charge of "conspiracy" (Hebrew: qashar, meaning to bind together, often used for treason or rebellion). This tactic aimed to silence Amos by framing him as a seditious threat to the crown.
  • The Burden of Truth: Amaziah's claim that "the land is not able to bear all his words" underscores the profound impact and perceived threat of Amos's prophecies. The truth about Israel's sin and impending judgment was too heavy for the complacent society to accept, leading to an attempt to expel the messenger.
  • Conflict Between True Faith and State Idolatry: Bethel was a significant religious center, but one tainted by the golden calf worship established by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:29). Amaziah, as its priest, was invested in maintaining the status quo, which included a blend of Yahweh worship and idolatry, making him an antagonist to Amos's call for true repentance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "conspired" is qashar (קָשַׁר), which carries strong connotations of treason or rebellion. By using this term, Amaziah elevated Amos's prophetic declarations from spiritual warnings to a direct political threat against King Jeroboam. This was a deliberate attempt to discredit Amos and incite the king's wrath against him. The phrase "the land is not able to bear all his words" (לֹא תוּכַל הָאָרֶץ לְהָכִיל אֶת־כָּל־דְּבָרָיו) vividly portrays the overwhelming nature of Amos's message – not just for the ears, but for the very fabric of the nation, which was deeply implicated in the sins Amos condemned.

Reflection and Application

Amos 7:10 serves as a powerful reminder that speaking God's truth often invites opposition, especially from those whose comfort or power is threatened by it. Like Amaziah, people may try to silence prophetic voices by misrepresenting their motives or messages, turning spiritual warnings into political accusations. For believers today, this verse encourages courage in proclaiming biblical truth, even when it is unpopular or challenging to societal norms. It also calls for discernment, to recognize when genuine spiritual messages are being falsely labeled or suppressed. The "unbearable words" of Amos ultimately proved true, demonstrating God's sovereign hand over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice, as seen throughout the prophetic books (e.g., Jeremiah 20:9).

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.

  • Jeremiah 38:4

    Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

  • 1 Kings 12:31

    And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

  • 1 Kings 12:32

    And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that [is] in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

  • Jeremiah 26:8

    Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded [him] to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.

  • Jeremiah 26:11

    Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man [is] worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.

  • 1 Kings 13:33

    After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became [one] of the priests of the high places.

  • Matthew 21:23

    ¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
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