Amos 7:5

KJV

Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he [is] small.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} I, O Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, cease {H2308}, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob {H3290} arise {H6965}? for he is small {H6996}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I said, "Adonai ELOHIM, stop - please! How will tiny Ya'akov survive?"

Berean Standard Bible

Then I said, “Lord GOD, please stop! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?”

American Standard Version

Then said I, O Lord Jehovah, cease, I beseech thee: how shall Jacob stand? for he is small.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 7:5 records the prophet Amos's second fervent intercession before the Lord GOD, pleading for the cessation of an impending judgment upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel, poetically referred to as "Jacob." Recognizing Israel's profound vulnerability and inability to recover from divine discipline on its own, Amos appeals to God's mercy, emphasizing the nation's diminished state with the poignant declaration, "for he is small." This plea highlights the prophet's compassionate heart and God's responsiveness to the prayers of His faithful servants, even in the face of widespread national sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of the book of Amos (chapters 7-9) that presents a series of five visions of judgment revealed to the prophet. Amos 7:1-3 describes the first vision of a devastating locust plague, which Amos intercedes against, leading to God's relenting. Amos 7:4-6 details the second vision, a consuming fire, against which Amos again pleads, resulting in God relenting once more. These initial two visions and Amos's successful intercessions establish a pattern of divine judgment tempered by prophetic prayer, setting the stage for the subsequent, unmitigated judgments (the plumb line, the basket of summer fruit, and the Lord by the altar) where intercession is no longer effective. The repeated phrase "Then said I" underscores Amos's consistent role as a mediator.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, a period of significant economic prosperity and political stability for both kingdoms. However, beneath this veneer of success, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was rife with social injustice, oppression of the poor, moral decay, and rampant idolatry, particularly the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, and the syncretistic worship of Baal. The nation had forgotten its covenant obligations and relied on its own strength and wealth. Amos's message of impending judgment, often through natural disasters or military defeat, directly challenged this false sense of security. The reference to "Jacob" evokes the nation's ancestral identity and covenant relationship with God, reminding them of their humble beginnings and God's faithfulness, which they had abandoned.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 7:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Amos. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, as God reveals His righteous wrath against Israel's persistent sin. However, it is immediately balanced by the theme of **God's Mercy and Patience**, demonstrated by His willingness to relent in response to Amos's intercession, as seen also in [God's compassion for Nineveh](/jonah/4-11 "Jonah 4:11 - God's Compassion for Nineveh"). The verse also highlights **Prophetic Intercession**, portraying Amos as a faithful mediator who "stands in the gap" for his people, much like [Moses interceded for Israel](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses's Intercession"). Finally, the phrase "Jacob is small" underscores the theme of **Israel's Vulnerability and Dependence on God**, reminding the nation that their true strength and survival were never in their military might or economic prosperity, but solely in the Lord's sustaining hand, a truth echoed in [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7-8 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Choice of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cease (Hebrew, _châdal'_):** From H2308, meaning "to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle; cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want." Amos's use of this imperative verb is a desperate plea for God to "stop" or "desist" from the destructive judgment He is about to unleash. It conveys the prophet's urgent desire for divine intervention to avert catastrophe.
* **Jacob (Hebrew, _Yaʻăqôb'_):** From H3290, meaning "heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob." In this context, "Jacob" serves as a poetic and symbolic designation for the entire nation of Israel, evoking their ancestral roots and their covenant relationship with God. By using this name, Amos appeals to God's covenant faithfulness to His people, despite their current unfaithfulness.
* **small (Hebrew, _qâṭân'_):** From H6996, meaning "abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance); least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est)." This word is central to Amos's plea, emphasizing Israel's perceived weakness, insignificance, and inability to withstand or recover from the judgment. It implies a lack of resources, power, or resilience, appealing to God's compassion for the vulnerable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee:"** This opening clause highlights Amos's immediate and heartfelt response to the vision of judgment. The address "O Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) is a reverent and earnest appeal to God's sovereign authority and covenant faithfulness. The imperative "cease" (châdal) conveys the prophet's urgent and desperate plea for God to halt the impending destruction, demonstrating his deep compassion for his people.
* **"by whom shall Jacob arise?"** This rhetorical question is the core of Amos's intercession. It underscores the prophet's conviction that Israel, in its current state, lacks the inherent strength, resources, or divine favor to recover from such a severe judgment. The question implies that without God's direct intervention and mercy, the nation of "Jacob" (Israel) will be utterly destroyed and unable to "arise" or stand again.
* **"for he is small."** This concluding phrase provides the rationale for Amos's plea. It describes Israel's condition as "small" (qâṭân), conveying not merely a lack of physical size or population, but a profound state of weakness, vulnerability, and insignificance. It suggests that Israel is too weak to withstand God's judgment and too feeble to rebuild itself afterward, thereby appealing to God's pity and compassion for the helpless.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 7:5 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Intercession**, as Amos directly pleads with God on behalf of the nation, acting as a mediator between divine judgment and human vulnerability. The phrase "by whom shall Jacob arise?" is a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer from God, but to emphasize the dire hopelessness of Israel's situation without divine mercy. It highlights the nation's utter dependence on God. Furthermore, the use of "Jacob" to refer to the nation of Israel is a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the patriarch) represents the whole (his descendants, the nation). This also carries elements of **Personification**, as "Jacob" is depicted as a "small" entity unable to "arise," imbuing the nation with human characteristics of weakness and helplessness to evoke God's compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 7:5 profoundly illustrates the dynamic interplay between divine justice and divine mercy. While God's righteous character demands judgment for sin, His compassionate nature allows for a response to sincere intercession. This passage reveals that God is not a detached, unfeeling deity, but one who listens to the cries of His faithful servants and can be moved to relent from His intended course of action. It underscores the profound responsibility and privilege of prophetic intercession, demonstrating how one person's earnest prayer can potentially alter the trajectory of national judgment. The vulnerability of "Jacob" serves as a timeless reminder that human strength and self-sufficiency are ultimately futile when faced with divine power and judgment, emphasizing humanity's absolute dependence on God's grace for survival and flourishing.

* [Exodus 32:9-14](/exodus/32-9-14 "Moses's Intercession for Israel")
* [Jeremiah 18:7-8](/jeremiah/18-7-8 "God's Sovereignty and Repentance")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Power of a Righteous Person's Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos's passionate plea in Amos 7:5 serves as a profound model for believers today, highlighting the transformative power of intercessory prayer and the essential posture of humility before God. In a world fraught with injustice, suffering, and spiritual decline, we are called to stand in the gap, not just for our own needs, but for the needs of our communities, nations, and the wider world. Amos's recognition of Israel's "smallness" reminds us that true strength lies not in human might or self-reliance, but in our utter dependence on God's grace and mercy. When we acknowledge our own fragility and the brokenness of the world around us, we are better positioned to appeal to God's compassionate heart. This passage encourages us to cultivate a deep empathy for those who are vulnerable, lost, or facing judgment, prompting us to pray fervently and act justly, trusting that God hears and responds to the cries of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Amos's intercession challenge my understanding of prayer and its potential impact on divine plans?**
* **In what areas of my life or in the world around me do I need to recognize "smallness" or vulnerability, and how might that prompt me to intercede?**
* **What specific actions can I take to cultivate a more compassionate heart for those facing hardship, mirroring Amos's concern for Jacob?**

### FAQ

**Why does Amos call Israel "Jacob" in this context?**

Answer: Amos uses "Jacob" (H3290, _Yaʻăqôb'_) as a poetic and symbolic designation for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This choice is significant because it evokes the nation's ancestral roots and their covenant relationship with God through the patriarch Jacob (who was renamed Israel). By referring to them as "Jacob," Amos appeals to God's historical faithfulness to His chosen people, reminding Him of the covenant promises made to their forefather. It also serves to highlight the irony of their current state: a nation blessed with a rich heritage and divine favor, yet now so weakened by sin that it is "small" and unable to "arise" without God's mercy. This usage is common in prophetic literature, often to underscore national identity, covenant obligations, or a call to remember their origins, as seen in [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God's Redemption of Jacob").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos's intercession for "small" Jacob in Amos 7:5 foreshadows the ultimate and perfect intercession of Jesus Christ. While Amos pleaded for a temporary reprieve from judgment for a sinful nation, Christ, as our great High Priest, continually intercedes for His people, securing eternal salvation and reconciliation. Amos's plea for a vulnerable Israel finds its ultimate answer in the **Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!** ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Humanity, far more "small" and helpless in the face of divine justice than ancient Israel, could never "arise" from the spiritual death caused by sin on its own. It required the perfect sacrifice and ongoing mediation of Christ. His death on the cross was the ultimate "cease" to the judgment against sin, and His resurrection is the guarantee that all who believe in Him "shall arise" to new life. As [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession for Believers") declares, it is Christ Jesus who died, and even more, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God and indeed is interceding for us. Thus, the vulnerability of Jacob in Amos 7:5 points to humanity's universal need for a Savior, a need perfectly met in the compassionate, interceding work of Jesus Christ, our eternal advocate ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")).

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

Psalms 85:4

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Jeremiah 30:19

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Isaiah 10:25

For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

Joel 2:17

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where [is] their God?

Amos 7:2

And it came to pass, [that] when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he [is] small.

Amos 7:3

The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 1:9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.