Amos 7:12

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

Also Amaziah {H558} said {H559} unto Amos {H5986}, O thou seer {H2374}, go {H3212}, flee thee away {H1272} into the land {H776} of Judah {H3063}, and there eat {H398} bread {H3899}, and prophesy {H5012} there:

Amatzyah also said to 'Amos, "Go away, seer! Go back to the land of Y'hudah! Earn your living there; and prophesy there;

And Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah; earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thou away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

Amos 7:12 records a pivotal moment in the prophetic ministry of Amos, highlighting the direct confrontation between God's messenger and the established religious authority of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Context

This verse takes place in the royal sanctuary at Bethel, a significant religious center in the Northern Kingdom, during the reign of King Jeroboam II. The prophet Amos, originally a humble shepherd and fig-picker from Tekoa in Judah (Amos 1:1), was sent by God to deliver a scathing message of judgment against the religious and social corruption of Israel. His prophecies, particularly those concerning the downfall of the house of Jeroboam (Amos 7:9), were highly provocative. Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, felt his position and the stability of the kingdom threatened by Amos's bold proclamations. He first reported Amos to the king (Amos 7:10), and then directly confronted Amos.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Conflict Between Divine Mandate and Human Authority: Amaziah, representing the institutional religion and royal power, attempts to silence Amos. He dismisses Amos's divine commission, viewing him merely as a professional prophet who should "eat bread" (earn a living) in his own territory, Judah. This highlights the timeless tension between God's unfiltered truth and human attempts to control or suppress it.
  • The Nature of True Prophecy: Amaziah's condescending command, "go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there," suggests that Amos is prophesying for personal gain or sustenance. This is a common accusation leveled against true prophets by those who wish to discredit them. However, Amos later clarifies that he was not a professional prophet, nor a "son of a prophet," but was directly called by God from his humble occupation (Amos 7:14, Amos 7:15). This distinction is crucial for understanding the authenticity of God's messengers, contrasting them with those who prophesy for profit or popularity (Micah 3:5).
  • The Uncontainable Word of God: Amaziah tries to impose geographic boundaries on Amos's ministry, telling him to prophesy "there" in Judah. This reflects a human desire to confine God's message, but the divine word cannot be limited by human borders or political agendas. God's truth is universal and speaks where He wills.

Linguistic Insights

The term "seer" (Hebrew: chozeh) used by Amaziah, while generally a legitimate term for a prophet, is used here with a dismissive or perhaps sarcastic tone. Amaziah is not acknowledging Amos's divine insight but rather his perceived status as a professional soothsayer. The phrase "eat bread" is a direct idiom for earning a living, implying that Amaziah believed Amos was a mercenary prophet, seeking financial gain rather than faithfully delivering God's message.

Practical Application

Amos 7:12 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It challenges us to:

  • Speak Truth to Power: Like Amos, we are called to speak God's truth, even when it is uncomfortable or challenges established norms and authorities.
  • Discern True Messengers: This passage encourages us to look beyond outward appearances or institutional titles and to discern the true source and motive behind a message. Is it from God, or is it motivated by personal gain or human approval?
  • Recognize Opposition: Those who faithfully declare God's word may face opposition, dismissal, or attempts to silence them from unexpected sources, including religious leaders.

The unwavering commitment of Amos, despite such opposition, underscores the importance of obeying God's call above all else.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 8:34

    And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart out of their coasts.

  • 1 Samuel 9:9

    (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:10

    Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for [he was] in a rage with him because of this [thing]. And Asa oppressed [some] of the people the same time.

  • 1 Samuel 2:36

    And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left in thine house shall come [and] crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

  • Ezekiel 13:19

    And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear [your] lies?

  • Luke 13:31

    ¶ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back