Amos 7:14

Translations

Modern

“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.

Traditional

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

Literal

And Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet, nor was I the son of a prophet, but I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.

Latin

Responditque Amos, et dixit ad Amasiam: Non sum propheta, et non sum filius prophetæ: sed armentarius ego sum vellicans sycomoros.

Original

Hebrew

English

“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.

Notes

Amos 7:14

Amos was not a professional prophet or a disciple in training. He had no financial reason to leave his job to prophesy.
herdsman: The Hebrew word here differs from the one in Amos 1:1 and is not found elsewhere in the Old Testament. It relates to a word for cattle, suggesting Amos may have raised cattle as a breeder or herder (see Amos Book Introduction, “The Prophet Amos”).
The sycamore-fig was gathered for cattle feed.

Amos 7:10–17

This section shows the corruption of the priesthood, emphasizing that judgment is unavoidable, as highlighted by the surrounding visions.

Amos 7:1–9:10

This section contains five visions. It is helpful to compare how these visions develop with the judgments listed earlier in Amos 4:6–11.

The judgments listed there include:

famine,
drought,
destruction of crops,
plagues, and
widespread destruction.

Theme notes and profiles

Jeroboam II

Events

Prophecies of Amosc. 788 BC

Related verses

Amos 1:1
These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
Zechariah 13:5
He will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I work the land, for I was purchased as a servant in my youth.’
2 Kings 2:5
Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
2 Kings 4:38
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
2 Chronicles 19:2
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
2 Kings 2:3
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
2 Chronicles 20:34
As for the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
2 Chronicles 16:7
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.
2 Kings 6:1
Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us.
1 Kings 20:35
Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him.
2 Kings 2:7
Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan.

People

Amaziah: Priest of Bethel during Amos' ministry Amos: Prophet from Tekoa who prophesied to Israel

Glossary

Amaziah Amos (Person) Apocalyptic Book of Amos Elisha Food and Food Preparation Jeroboam Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess Sycamore Tekoa, Tekoites Work

Topics

Amaziah: An Idolatrous Priest at Bethel Amos: Forbidden to Prophesy in Israel Call: To Special Religious Duty: Amos Christian Minister: Trials and Persecutions of Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Amos Prophets: Amos Reproof: Faithfulness in Amos, of the Israelites Sycamore: Care of The Fig-Tree: Often Grew Wild Trees: Sycamore

Amos 7:14

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Original?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

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