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Amos 7:15

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Amos 7:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
Amos 7:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Amos 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thou away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
13but prophesy not again any more at Beth-el; for it is the king`s sanctuary, and it is a royal house.
14Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet`s son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees:
15and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
16Now therefore hear thou the word of Jehovah: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac;
17therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.
← Amos 7:14Amos 7:16 →
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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
“And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, etc.] Or “from behind” itf212; a description of a shepherd, such an one Amos was, and in this employ when the Lord called him, and took him to be a prophet; he did not seek after it, nor did he take this honour to himself; by which it appears that his mission was divine, and that he did not enter on this work with lucrative views: thus God took David in a like state of life, and made him king of Israel; and Elisha from the plough, and made him a prophet: and Christ several of his disciples from being fishermen, and made them fishers of men, or ministers of the word; and so their call appeared more clear and manifest; and the Lord said unto me; in…”
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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
“took me as I followed the flock--So David was taken (Sa2 7:8; Psa 78:70-71). Messiah is the antitypical Shepherd (Psa 23:1-6; John 10:1-18). unto my people--"against" [MAURER]; so Amo 7:16. Jehovah claims them still as His by right, though slighting His authority. God would recover them to His service by the prophet's ministry.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:15 Amos was not motivated by financial gain. Instead, the Lord’s voice (see 1:2; 3:8) moved Amos to prophesy.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“took: Sa2 7:8; Psa 78:70-72; Mat 4:18, Mat 4:19, Mat 9:9 as I followed: Heb. from behind Go: Jer 1:7; Eze 2:3, Eze 2:4; Luk 24:46-48; Act 1:8, Act 4:20, Act 5:20, Act 5:29-32 Amos 7:16”
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Related study paths

Read Amos 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification