Amos 9:13

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

Behold, the days {H3117} come {H935}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that the plowman {H2790} shall overtake {H5066} the reaper {H7114}, and the treader {H1869} of grapes {H6025} him that soweth {H4900} seed {H2233}; and the mountains {H2022} shall drop {H5197} sweet wine {H6071}, and all the hills {H1389} shall melt {H4127}.

"The days will come," says ADONAI, "when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the one treading grapes the one sowing seed. Sweet wine will drip down the mountains, and all the hills will flow with it.

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow.

Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

Commentary

Commentary on Amos 9:13

Amos 9:13 is a powerful prophetic declaration, painting a vivid picture of unprecedented abundance and divine restoration. This verse, coming at the very end of the Book of Amos, stands in stark contrast to the preceding chapters, which are largely filled with warnings of judgment and destruction against Israel for their sins and disobedience.

Context

The Book of Amos, a prophet of social justice, primarily delivers messages of impending doom and exile for Israel's moral decay, idolatry, and oppression of the poor. However, the final five verses of chapter 9 (Amos 9:11-15) pivot dramatically to a message of hope. This section describes God's promise to restore His people and rebuild their fortunes. Specifically, Amos 9:11 speaks of raising up the tabernacle of David, signifying the restoration of the Davidic dynasty and the spiritual and national renewal of Israel. Verse 13 then elaborates on the incredible physical blessings that will accompany this restoration.

Key Themes

  • Unprecedented Abundance and Prosperity: The central image of the "plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed" depicts a harvest so bountiful and continuous that agricultural activities overlap. It suggests an endless cycle of fruitfulness, where one season's bounty immediately precedes the next, leaving no time for rest between labor and reward. This is a picture of divine blessing that transcends normal agricultural cycles.
  • Divine Restoration and Blessing: This verse is a cornerstone of the prophetic promise of God's ultimate restoration of His people. After judgment and discipline, God promises to bring forth a period of unparalleled blessing, reversing the curses of scarcity and hardship. This echoes the abundant blessings promised in the covenant blessings found in Deuteronomy.
  • Messianic Age and Kingdom: Many theologians interpret these verses as looking forward to the Messianic era, often associated with the millennial kingdom, where Christ's reign will bring about perfect peace, justice, and prosperity. The literal fulfillment of these prophecies in the land of Israel is also anticipated.
  • Supernatural Transformation: "And the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt" uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the extraordinary nature of God's blessing. It suggests a transformation of the natural world itself to yield an overwhelming abundance, far beyond what is naturally possible. This imagery is similar to Joel 3:18 where mountains drop new wine.

Linguistic Insights

The language in Amos 9:13 is highly poetic and rich in agricultural metaphor. The Hebrew word for "melt" (מָגַג, māg̱ag) can imply a softening, flowing, or dissolving. In this context, it contributes to the picture of the landscape itself becoming so rich and fertile that it seems to flow with abundance, yielding produce effortlessly. The "sweet wine" (תִּיר֖וֹשׁ, tîrôš) often refers to new wine, symbolizing fresh, abundant produce.

Practical Application

Amos 9:13 offers a profound message of hope and assurance in God's faithfulness. Even when facing judgment or experiencing difficult times, this verse reminds us that God's ultimate plan is one of restoration and blessing. It encourages believers to look beyond immediate circumstances to the future glory and abundance that God has promised. It serves as a reminder that God's power is limitless, capable of transforming barrenness into overflowing fruitfulness, both in the physical world and in our spiritual lives. This promise points to a future where God's purposes are fully realized, bringing forth a time of unending joy and prosperity for His people.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joel 3:18 (16 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

  • John 4:35 (14 votes)

    Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

  • Isaiah 55:13 (13 votes)

    Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.

  • Leviticus 26:5 (13 votes)

    And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

  • Isaiah 35:1 (12 votes)

    ¶ The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

  • Isaiah 35:2 (12 votes)

    It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

  • Hosea 2:21 (11 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;