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Amos 3:8

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Amos 3:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?
Amos 3:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Amos 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is [set] for him? shall a snare spring up from the ground, and have taken nothing at all?
6Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?
7Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?
9Publish ye in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold what great tumults are therein, and what oppressions in the midst thereof.
10For they know not to do right, saith Jehovah, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
11Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: An adversary [there shall be], even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be plundered.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The lion hath roared, who will not fear? etc.] Amos said this from his own experience, who, having been a herdsman in the wilderness of Tekoa, had often heard a lion roar, which had put him into a panic, both for himself, and the cattle he kept; the figure is explained in the next clause: the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy? whether it be to foretell future events, which the Lord has made known shall come to pass; or to preach the word, which is to prophesy to edification, to exhortation, and comfort, (<461403>1 Corinthians 14:3); or to perform the more private exercises of religion, as singing of psalms, praying, etc. (<132501>1 Chronicles 25:1-3) (<461104>1 Corinthians 11:4,5);…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As when "the lion roars" (compare Amo 1:2; Amo 3:4), none can help but "fear," so when Jehovah communicates His awful message, the prophet cannot but prophesy. Find not fault with me for prophesying; I must obey God. In a wider sense true of all believers (Act 4:20; Act 5:29).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lion hath roared: who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken: who can but prophesy? - that is, there is cause for you to fear, when the Lord “roareth from Zion;” but if ye fear not, God’s prophets dare not but fear. So Paul saith, “necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation” of the Gospel “is committed unto me” 1 Corinthians 9:16-17; and Peter and John, “whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye! For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” Acts 4:19-20; Moses was not excused, though slow of speech;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hath roared - As a lion roareth when near his prey: so God hath terribly threatened what is near to be done. Prophesy - Amos can not but speak what he had heard. Amos 3:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:8 God, the lion, has roared from Mount Zion (1:2) and compelled Amos to prophesy (see 7:14-16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“lion: Amo 3:4, Amo 1:2; Rev 5:5 who can: Amo 2:12, Amo 7:12-17; Job 32:18, Job 32:19; Jer 20:9; Act 4:20, Act 5:20, Act 5:29; Co1 9:16 Amos 3:9”
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Related study paths

Read Amos 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification