Introduction to Amos

Name

Amos’s book is named for its author, Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa (about 10 miles south of Jerusalem).

Author

Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa (v. 1). The Hebrew word for a shepherd in verse 1 is not the common word for shepherd, but  a word that means “sheep breeder.” In Amos 7:14, the word used for shepherd means a cattleman or herder. In addition, in Amos 7:14, Amos says he took care of Sycamore-fig trees. Sycamore-figs were grown in warmer valleys near Tekoa.

Based on his description, Amos was a breeder, a rancher, and a farmer.

Genre

Prophecy (the third of twelve books commonly referred to as the “Minor Prophets”).

Literary Form

Primarily prophetic poetry except for small sections of prose in chapters 7 and 8.

Note: There are six major sections in the book: 1:3-2:16, 3:1-15, 4:1-13, 5:1-6:14, 7:1-8:3, and 8:4-9:15. Divine speech (“the Lord says,” “the Lord has spoken,” and “the Lord declares” is used a total of 49 times: 14 times in the first section (1:3-2:16) and seven times in each of the subsequent five sections.

Time Frame

Amos dates his prophecy during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah (790-739 B.C., and Jeroboam II, king of Israel (793-753 B.C.), two years before the great earthquake. Archaeologists found evidence of a large earthquake in Israel around 760 B.C. (Zechariah 14:5), so Amos’ prophecy was likely in about 762 B.C.

This was a time of great wealth in both Judah and Israel, particularly in the cities.

Emphasis

Amos’ prophecy is directed at Israel. He emphasizes God’s sovereignty with a warning of impending judgment but ends with a message of hope.

Outline

1. Prophecies against the nations (1:1-2:16)
2. Prophecies against Israel  (3:1-6:14)
3. Prophecies of God’s judgment (7:1-9:10)
4. Prophecies of Israel’s restoration  (9:11-15)