Amos 7
Read Amos 7 (WEB)+
1Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me: and behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and behold, it was the latter growth after the king’s harvest. 2When they finished eating the grass of the land, then I said, “Lord Yahweh, forgive, I beg you! How could Jacob stand? For he is small.” 3Yahweh relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” says Yahweh. 4Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me and behold, the Lord Yahweh called for judgment by fire; and it dried up the great deep, and would have devoured the land. 5Then I said, “Lord Yahweh, stop, I beg you! How could Jacob stand? For he is small.” 6Yahweh relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” says the Lord Yahweh. 7Thus he showed me and behold, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8Yahweh said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I will set a plumb line in the middle of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more. 9The high places of Isaac will be desolate, the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” 10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the middle of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. 11For Amos says, ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.’” 12Amaziah also said to Amos, “You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: 13but don’t prophesy again any more at Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a royal house!” 14Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs; 15and Yahweh took me from following the flock, and Yahweh said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16Now therefore listen to Yahweh’s word: ‘You say, Don’t prophesy against Israel, and don’t preach against the house of Isaac.’ 17Therefore Yahweh says: ‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided by line; and you yourself shall die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Then the Lord said, 'Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them.'"”
Amos 7:8
Summary
Amos chapter 7 reveals a series of visions given to the prophet Amos, emphasizing the impending judgment against Israel. The chapter begins with Amos seeing locusts devour the land, posing a dire threat to the nation's sustenance. Amos prays for mercy, and the Lord relents. The second vision shows a consuming fire, and once again, Amos intercedes, resulting in God sparing Israel. The third vision presents a plumb line, symbolizing the standard by which God will measure Israel, indicating they have fallen short and judgment will no longer be withheld. The chapter also records a confrontation between Amos and Amaziah, a priest at Bethel, who accuses Amos of conspiracy. Despite being told to leave, Amos reasserts his divine commission to prophesy.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Amos 7
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying Amos with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for women.
Chapter outline
How Amos 7 unfolds
Amos 7:1–3 Vision of the Locusts
Amos sees a vision of locusts threatening Israel's crops. He intercedes for mercy, and God relents from bringing this judgment.
Amos 7:4–6 Vision of Fire
The second vision shows a fire that could consume the land. Again, Amos pleads for Israel, and God decides not to execute this judgment.
Amos 7:7–9 The Plumb Line
In the third vision, God shows Amos a plumb line, indicating His standard for Israel. God announces that He will no longer overlook their shortcomings.
Amos 7:10–13 Amaziah's Confrontation
Amaziah, the priest, accuses Amos of conspiracy against the king. He instructs Amos to leave Bethel and cease prophesying there.
Amos 7:14–17 Amos's Defense and Prophecy
Amos defends his role as a prophet, acknowledging his humble background. He delivers a harsh prophecy against Amaziah and Israel, revealing impending judgment.
Key verses
Amos 7:8Amos 7:8 highlights God's determination to measure Israel against His standards, marking a decisive moment in the chapter's call for accountability.
Main themes in Amos 7
Divine Judgment
The theme of Divine Judgment is central in Amos 7, particularly evident in the visions of locusts and fire presented in verses 1-6. These vivid images serve as warnings of imminent judgment, illustrating the severity of God's response to Israel's unfaithfulness and moral decay. As the chapter unfolds, it emphasizes that judgment is not only a possibility but an unavoidable consequence of Israel's spiritual condition, urging readers to recognize the gravity of straying from God's ways.
Intercession
Amos's role as an intercessor is highlighted in verses 2 and 5, where he passionately pleads for mercy on behalf of Israel. His heartfelt prayers reflect his deep concern for the fate of his people, revealing the personal nature of his relationship with God. This theme of intercession creates a tension between the certainty of divine judgment and the hope for mercy, showing that even amid impending disaster, there is space for repentance and divine compassion.
Prophetic Vision
The theme of Prophetic Vision is evident throughout Amos 7, particularly as Amos receives three distinct visions from God. Each vision reveals God's intentions and standards for Israel, depicting a shift from warning to a declaration of judgment. This theme underscores the role of the prophet in conveying God's messages.
Divine Standards
Divine Standards are prominently illustrated in the plumb line vision found in verse 8, which symbolizes God's criteria for measuring Israel's faithfulness. This imagery serves as a stark reminder that Israel has deviated from God's expectations, emphasizing their moral and spiritual shortcomings. By establishing these standards, God not only calls for accountability but also highlights the dire consequences that follow spiritual failure, urging the nation to reflect on its relationship with Him.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Amos 7
- Amos 8Amos 8 continues the theme of impending judgment, echoing the consequences outlined in this chapter.
- Jonah 3Jonah 3 connects through the theme of warning; both prophets call for repentance to avert judgment.
- Joel 2Joel 2 develops the call for repentance, emphasizing the need for Israel to return to God to escape disaster.
- Jeremiah 1Jeremiah 1 parallels Amos in their divine commissioning as prophets, emphasizing their roles in declaring judgment.
- 1 Kings 121 Kings 12 connects through the historical background of Jeroboam's reign, relevant to the judgment against Israel.
- 2 Kings 212 Kings 21 develops the narrative of Israel's unfaithfulness, leading to the judgments prophesied by Amos.
Study questions
Questions for studying Amos 7
- What does the vision of locusts represent in Israel's context?
- How does Amos respond to each of the visions he receives?
- What is the significance of the plumb line in verse 8?
- How does Amaziah react to Amos's prophecies?
- What consequences does God declare for Amaziah and Israel?
- What does Amos's background reveal about his prophetic role?
- How do the intercessions highlight Amos's character and relationship with God?
Amos 7: frequently asked questions
What is Amos 7 about?+
What is the key verse in Amos 7?+
What are the main themes of Amos 7?+
Related chapters