Amos Chapter 1

“The words of Amos, etc.] Not which he spoke of or for himself, but from the Lord; all the prophecies, visions, and revelations made unto him, are intended: who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa; which was not in the tribe of Asher, as Kimchi; nor of Zebulun, as Pseudo-Epiphaniusf9; but in the tribe of Judah, (<141105>2 Chronicles 11:5,6 <240601>Jeremiah 6:1). It lay to the south, and was six miles from Bethlehem. Mr. Maundrellf10 says it is nine miles distant, to the south of it; and, according to Jeromf11, it was twelve miles from Jerusalem; though he elsewheref12 says, Thecua, or Tekoa, is a village at this day,…”

“GOD'S JUDGMENTS ON SYRIA, PHILISTIA, TYRE, EDOM, AND AMMON. (Amo 1:1-15) The words of Amos--that is, Amos' oracular communications. A heading found only in Jer 1:1. among the herdmen--rather, "shepherds"; both owning and tending sheep; from an Arabic root, "to mark with pricks," namely, to select the best among a species of sheep and goats ill-shapen and short-footed (as others explain the name from an Arabic root), but distinguished by their wool [MAURER]. God chooses "the weak things of the world to confound the mighty," and makes a humble shepherd reprove the arrogance of Israel and her king arising from…”

“The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen - “Amos begins by setting forth his own nothingness, and withal the great grace of his Teacher and Instructor, the Holy Spirit, referring all to His glory.” He, like David, Peter, Paul, Matthew, was one of “the weak things of the world, whom God chose to confound the mighty.” He was himself a herdsman only “among herdsmen;” but the words which he spake were not his own. They were words which he saw, not with eyes of flesh, but “with that vision wherewith words can be seen, the seer’s vision in the mind.” They were “words concerning,” or rather “upon Israel,” heavy…”

“He saw - Received by revelation. Israel - The kingdom of the ten tribes. Jeroboam - The great grand - son of Jehu. The earth - quake - Of which, only this text, and Zac 14:5, make any particular mention. Amos 1:2”

“1:1 message (literally words): This standard way of introducing a prophetic message (Jer 1:1; see also Hag 1:12) emphasizes its form and content. • shepherd (Hebrew noqed): This word is used just one other time in the Old Testament, to describe the king of Moab as a “sheep breeder” (2 Kgs 3:4). Amos describes his vocation in Amos 7:14 using a different Hebrew word (boqer, which means “herder”; see Amos Book Introduction, “The Prophet Amos”). Amos was not a professional prophet serving the court or the Temple. • Amos received this message in visions—that is, by divine revelation (see Isa 1:1). • Amos depicts the…”

“The words: Jer 1:1, Jer 7:27 who: Amo 7:14; Exo 3:1; Kg1 19:19; Psa 78:70-72; Mat 4:18; Co1 1:27 Tekoa: Sa2 14:2; Ch2 11:6, Ch2 20:20; Jer 6:1 he saw: Isa 1:1; Mic 1:1 in the: Kg2 14:21, Kg2 15:1, Kg2 15:2, Azariah, 2Chr. 26:1-23; Hos 1:1; Mat 1:8, Mat 1:9 and in: Amo 7:9-11; Kg2 14:23-29 the earthquake: Zac 14:5 Amos 1:2”

“Amo 1:1 contains the heading, which has already been discussed in the Introduction; and אשׁר חזה ("which he saw") refers to דּברי עמוס (the words of Amos). Amo 1:2 forms the Introduction, which is attached to the heading by ויּאמר, and announces a revelation of the wrath of God upon Israel, or a theocratic judgment. Amo 1:2. "Jehovah roars out of Zion, and He utters His voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the head of Carmel withers." The voice of Jehovah is the thunder, the earthly substratum in which the Lord manifests His coming to judgment (see at Joe 3:16). By the adoption of…”