Amos
Israelite / Jew Hebrew, herdman of Tekoa in Judah · Divided Kingdom · Old Testament
- Name means
- Burden-bearer
- Role
- Shepherd-prophet who called for justice
- When
- 8th century BC (reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam II)
What they did
A herdman and gatherer of sycomore fruit whom God sent to prophesy to Israel. He condemned injustice and empty worship, calling for judgment to run down as waters.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He foretold the raising up of David's fallen tabernacle so that the Gentiles would seek the Lord, quoted by James at the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:16-17).
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Amos 5:24 (KJV)
Bible references
The 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. Amos 1:1 (KJV)
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Amos 5:24 (KJV)
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. Amos 7:14-15 (KJV)
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. Amos 9:11-12 (KJV)
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Acts 15:16-17 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.