Illustration created for this project.
Amos
A shepherd of Tekoa called to prophesy against injustice in the northern kingdom.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Origin & birthplace
BibleA shepherd and dresser of sycamore-figs from Tekoa in Judah, sent to prophesy against the northern kingdom.
Amos 1:1; 7:14
Life, role & deeds
BibleHe dated his oracles 'two years before the earthquake', in the reign of Jeroboam II.
Amos 1:1
ArchaeologyA violent mid-8th-century earthquake left destruction layers at Hazor, Gezer and other sites — a physical trace of the event Amos names.
Tel Hazor destruction layer (Y. Yadin, Stratum VI); correlated across sites and dated to c. 750 BC by Austin, Franz & Frost, "Amos's Earthquake", International Geology Review 42 (2000)
Where in scripture
AmosIn their own words — 8 recorded sayings
“And he said, The Lord will give a lion's cry from Zion, his voice will be sounding from Jerusalem; and the fields of the keepers of sheep will become dry, and the top of Carmel will be wasted away. These are the words of the Lord: For three crimes of Damascus, and for four, I will not let its fate be changed; because they have been crushing Gilead with iron grain-crushing instruments.” — Amos 1:2-3
“The virgin of Israel has been made low, never again to be lifted up: she is stretched out by herself on her land; there is no one to put her on her feet again.” — Amos 5:2
“And it came about that after they had taken all the grass of the land, I said, O Lord God, have mercy: how will Jacob be able to keep his place? for he is small.” — Amos 7:2
“And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A weighted line. Then the Lord said, See, I will let down a weighted line among my people Israel; never again will my eyes be shut to their sin:” — Amos 7:8
“Then Amos in answer said to Amaziah, I am no prophet, or one of the sons of the prophets; I am a herdman and one who takes care of sycamore-trees: And the Lord took me from the flock, and the Lord said to me, Go, be a prophet to my people Israel.” — Amos 7:14-15
“Now then, give ear to the word of the Lord: You say, Be no prophet to Israel, and say not a word against the people of Isaac.” — Amos 7:16
“So this is what the Lord has said: Your wife will be a loose woman in the town, and your sons and your daughters will be put to the sword, and your land will be cut up into parts by a line; and you yourself will come to your end in an unclean land, and Israel will certainly be taken away a prisoner out of his land.” — Amos 7:17
“And he said, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then the Lord said to me, The end has come to my people Israel; never again will my eyes be shut to their sin.” — Amos 8:2
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
