Minor Prophet Amos
Authorship
The title of the book comes from its writer, Amos. Amos is the first prophet whose name also serves as the title of the corresponding biblical book in which his story is found. The prophet’s name means “burden-bearer” or “load-carrier.” He was unassuming, but bold and fearless when called to bear witness against the evils of his day. He was not known for his sympathy or warmth, but for his sense of justice and pride.
Amos’ hometown was Tekoa a village in Judah, about ten miles south of Jerusalem. He was a shepherd and a grower of sycamore fig trees (Amos 1:1; 7:14). Amos seems to have been a prosperous and influential Judahite, but there is no indication that he was a priest or had any connection with the royal family or the ruling classes in his land. Amos’ natural surroundings had a profound effect on him and his writing style and composition. (Amos 1:2; 2:9; 3:4-5; 5:19-20, 24; 6:12; 7:1-6; 8:1; 9:3-15). He seemed to be just a humble peasant engaging and being obedient to his command from God “Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15).
Amos prominently uses repetition (Amos 1:3, 4, 5), summary quotation (Amos 4:1; 6:13; 8:5 – 6; 9:10) and irony Amos 4:1). He illustrates a very close covenant with the Mosaic law and the history of the people to whom he belonged. His style also shows great rhetorical power, great depths of thought and truly poetic expressions.
Amos gives us a splendid example of inspiration. The Lord called him, gave him the message, and filled the simple shepherd with the wisdom from above so that he burst out in these eloquent utterances. At the same time the Lord in using his as His mouthpiece did not set aside his personality, he uses his idiom, and the truth of God is expressed through him in the terms of nature, with which he, as a child of nature, was so familiar.
Date of Writing
Amos prophesied during the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel (793 – 753 BC) and King Azariah (Uzziah) of Judah
The title of the book comes from its writer, Amos. Amos is the first prophet whose name also serves as the title of the corresponding biblical book in which his story is found. The prophet’s name means “burden-bearer” or “load-carrier.” He was unassuming, but bold and fearless when called to bear witness against the evils of his day. He was not known for his sympathy or warmth, but for his sense of justice and pride.
Amos’ hometown was Tekoa a village in Judah, about ten miles south of Jerusalem. He was a shepherd and a grower of sycamore fig trees (Amos 1:1; 7:14). Amos seems to have been a prosperous and influential Judahite, but there is no indication that he was a priest or had any connection with the royal family or the ruling classes in his land. Amos’ natural surroundings had a profound effect on him and his writing style and composition. (Amos 1:2; 2:9; 3:4-5; 5:19-20, 24; 6:12; 7:1-6; 8:1; 9:3-15). He seemed to be just a humble peasant engaging and being obedient to his command from God “Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15).
Amos prominently uses repetition (Amos 1:3, 4, 5), summary quotation (Amos 4:1; 6:13; 8:5 – 6; 9:10) and irony Amos 4:1). He illustrates a very close covenant with the Mosaic law and the history of the people to whom he belonged. His style also shows great rhetorical power, great depths of thought and truly poetic expressions.
Amos gives us a splendid example of inspiration. The Lord called him, gave him the message, and filled the simple shepherd with the wisdom from above so that he burst out in these eloquent utterances. At the same time the Lord in using his as His mouthpiece did not set aside his personality, he uses his idiom, and the truth of God is expressed through him in the terms of nature, with which he, as a child of nature, was so familiar.
Date of Writing
Amos prophesied during the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel (793 – 753 BC) and King Azariah (Uzziah) of Judah
References: Auld, A.G. (1986) Amos. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press Ltd. Ellison, H.L. (1974) The Prophets of Israel: From Ahijah to Hosea. American Ed., Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Kelly, Page H. (1966) The Book of Amos. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House. Henry, Matthew. (1991) Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. United States of America: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Honeycutt, Roy L. (1963) Amos and His Message. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press. Howard, J.K. (1968) Amos Among the Prophets. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker House. Mays, James Luther. (1969) Amos A Commentary. Bloomsbury Street, London: SCM Press Ltd. Sunukjian, Donald R. (1985) The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. Wheaton: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books. Watts, John D.W. (1966) Studying the Book of Amos. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press. Wiersbe, Warren. (2002) The Bible Exposition Commentary/Prophets. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Cook Communications Ministries. Unger, Merrill F. (1957) The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers.