Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Amos 1:1
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
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, nine miles from Aelia or Jerusalem, of which place was Amos the prophet, and where his sepulchre is seen: either there is a mistake of the number, or of Aelia for Bethlehem; the former rather seems to be the case; according to Josephusf13, it was not far from the castle of Herodium. The Misnic doctorsf14 speak of it as famous for oil, where the best was to be had; near to it was a wilderness, called the wilderness of Tekoa; and Jeromf15 says, that beyond it there was no village, nor so much as huts and cottages, but a large wilderness, which reached to the Red sea, and to the borders of the Persians, Ethiopians, and Indians, and was full of shepherds, among whom Amos was; whether he was a master herdsman, or a servant of one, is not said. The word is used of the king of Moab, who is said to be a “sheepmaster”, (<120304>2 Kings 3:4); he traded in cattle, and got riches thereby; and so the Targum here renders it, “who was lord or master of cattle;” and Kimchi interprets it, he was a great man among the herdsmen; and so it was a piece of self-denial to leave his business, and go to prophesying; but rather he was a servant, and kept cattle for others, which best agrees with (<300714>Amos 7:14); and so is expressive of the grace of God in calling so mean a person to such a high office. The word used signifies to mark; and shepherds were so called from marking their sheep to distinguish them, which seems to be the work of servants; and, in the Arabic language, a kind of sheep deformed, and of short feet, are so called: which he saw concerning Israel; or, against Israelf16, the ten tribes, to whom he was sent, and against whom he prophesied chiefly; for he says very little of Judah. Words are more properly said to be spoken or heard; but here they are said to be seen; which shows that not bare words are meant, but things, which the prophet had revealed to him in a visionary way, and he delivered; (see <230201>Isaiah 2:1); in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; who was also called Azariah, (<121501>2 Kings 15:1); and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel; so he is called to distinguish him from Jeroboam the son of Nebat; this king was the grandson of Jehu; he was, as Jerom says, before Sardanapalus reigned over the Assyrians, and Procas Sylvius over the Latines: two years before the earthquake; which was well known in those times, and fresh in memory. Zechariah speaks of it many years after, from whom we learn it was in the days of Uzziah, (<381405>Zechariah 14:5). The Jewish writers generally say that it was when Uzziah was smote with leprosy for invading the priest’s office; and was in the year in which he died, when Isaiah had a vision of the glory of the Lord, and the posts of the house moved, (<230601>Isaiah 6:1,4); and with whom Josephusf17 agrees; who also relates, that the temple being rent by the earthquake,…
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