Amos — Chapter 1

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1The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

2And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

3Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:

4But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.

5I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

6Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:

7But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof:

8And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

9Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:

10But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

11Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

12But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

13Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:

14But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:

15And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

1The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

2And he said, Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

3Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Damascus, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:

4but I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.

5And I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith Jehovah.

6Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Gaza, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole people, to deliver them up to Edom:

7but I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

8And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord Jehovah.

9Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Tyre, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole people to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:

10but I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

11Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Edom, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

12but I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

13Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.

14But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind;

15and their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith Jehovah.

1The following is a record of what Amos prophesied. He was one of the herdsmen from Tekoa. These prophecies about Israel were revealed to him during the time of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

2Amos said: “The Lord comes roaring out of Zion; from Jerusalem he comes bellowing! The shepherds’ pastures wilt; the summit of Carmel withers.”

3This is what the Lord says: “Because Damascus has committed three crimes— make that four!—I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They ripped through Gilead like threshing sledges with iron teeth.

4So I will set Hazael’s house on fire; fire will consume Ben Hadad’s fortresses.

5I will break the bar on the gate of Damascus. I will remove the ruler from Wicked Valley, the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Aram will be deported to Kir.” The Lord has spoken!

6This is what the Lord says: “Because Gaza has committed three crimes— make that four!—I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They deported a whole community and sold them to Edom.

7So I will set Gaza’s city wall on fire; fire will consume her fortresses.

8I will remove the ruler from Ashdod, the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon. I will strike Ekron with my hand; the rest of the Philistines will also die.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken!

9This is what the Lord says: “Because Tyre has committed three crimes— make that four—I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They sold a whole community to Edom; they failed to observe a treaty of brotherhood.

10So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall; fire will consume her fortresses.”

11This is what the Lord says: “Because Edom has committed three crimes— make that four—I will not revoke my decree of judgment. He chased his brother with a sword; he wiped out his allies. In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest; in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.

12So I will set Teman on fire; fire will consume Bozrah’s fortresses.”

13This is what the Lord says: “Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes— make that four—I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women so they could expand their territory.

14So I will set fire to Rabbah’s city wall; fire will consume her fortresses. War cries will be heard on the day of battle; a strong gale will blow on the day of the windstorm.

15Ammon’s king will be deported; he and his officials will be carried off together.” The Lord has spoken!

1The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

2He said: “Yahweh will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds will mourn, and the top of Carmel will wither.”

3Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron;

4but I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, and it will devour the palaces of Ben Hadad.

5I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir,” says Yahweh.

6Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they carried away captive the whole community, to deliver them up to Edom;

7but I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, and it will devour its palaces.

8I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord Yahweh.

9Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they delivered up the whole community to Edom, and didn’t remember the brotherly covenant;

10but I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre, and it will devour its palaces.”

11Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Edom, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity, and his anger raged continually, and he kept his wrath forever;

12but I will send a fire on Teman, and it will devour the palaces of Bozrah.”

13Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.

14But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it will devour its palaces, with shouting in the day of battle, with a storm in the day of the whirlwind;

15and their king will go into captivity, he and his princes together,” says Yahweh.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

God introduces Amos the shepherd-prophet and pronounces judgment on six surrounding nations (Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon) for their crimes against humanity, using the escalating formula "for three transgressions and for four."

Authorship & Background

Author: Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah who prophesied to the northern kingdom (approximately 760-750 BC). Key theme: social justice — God judges nations (including Israel) for oppressing the poor. "Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream" (5:24).
Classification: Prophetic Oracle — God Judges the Nations Key Themes: Universal divine justice, crimes against humanity, the "for three... and for four" formula, fire as judgment, God holds ALL nations accountable regardless of covenant relationship
Historical Context: Amos was a shepherd and fig-tree cultivator from Tekoa (south of Bethlehem in Judah) called to prophesy to the northern kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam II — a time of unprecedented prosperity AND unprecedented social injustice. The earthquake referenced (v.1) was so significant it was remembered centuries later (Zechariah 14:5). Chapter 1 begins God's judgment oracles against SIX surrounding nations: Damascus (Syria), Gaza (Philistia), Tyre (Phoenicia), Edom, Ammon — building a spiral that will ultimately land on ISRAEL itself (2:6). The audience would have cheered each judgment on their enemies, not realizing the trap being set.
Structure:
  • Introduction: Amos the Shepherd-Prophet (v.1)
  • The LORD Roars from Zion (v.2)
  • Judgment on Damascus/Syria (vv.3-5)
  • Judgment on Gaza/Philistia (vv.6-8)
  • Judgment on Tyre/Phoenicia (vv.9-10)
  • Judgment on Edom (vv.11-12)
  • Judgment on Ammon (vv.13-15)

Map & Geography

  • Jerusalem (v.2): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.
  • Zion (v.2): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.
  • Carmel (v.2): Mountain range along the Mediterranean coast; site of Elijah's contest with Baal.
  • Damascus (v.3, v.5): Ancient Syrian city; site of Paul's conversion.
  • Gilead (v.3, v.13): Mountainous region east of the Jordan River.
  • Edom (v.6, v.9, v.11): Land south of the Dead Sea; descendants of Esau.

Videos

The Bible Project — Amos Overview (Video)

Animated overview of the book of Amos showing the literary structure, key themes, and how this book fits into the larger biblical narrative. Excellent visual introduction.

Reflection

  • 1. God judges ALL nations, not just Israel (vv.3-15). No nation is exempt from divine accountability. Whether they know God's law or not, basic human decency is expected. Cruelty, slave- trading, treaty-breaking, and violence against the vulnerable will be judged regardless of the perpetrator's religion.
  • 2. "For three... and for four" — God counts (v.3). He is patient, but He is not oblivious. Every transgression is recorded. There IS a tipping point. Don't mistake His patience for permission or His silence for approval.
  • 3. The spiral of judgment moves inward. Amos starts with DISTANT nations (Damascus, Gaza) and spirals closer: Tyre (ally), Edom (cousin), Ammon (neighbor)... then Judah, then Israel. God's people are not exempt from His standards — they are MOST accountable. Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
  • 4. Permanent anger is judged (v.11). Edom "kept his wrath forever." Unforgiveness held perpetually is not neutral — it is sin that God judges. Release it before it condemns you.