FocusAccountability for wrongdoing
Connection to the wholeThe sequence of oracles moves through surrounding peoples and arrives at Judah and Israel, exposing Israel's own guilt.
interpretation Amos 1:3
KJVThus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
Read it in context
Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors
Start reading at Amos 1:1 (Amos 1:1 to Amos 1:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The sequence of oracles moves through surrounding peoples and arrives at Judah and Israel, exposing Israel's own guilt.
- 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
- 1:2 And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
- 1:3 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
- 1:4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
- 1:5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
- 1:6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:
- 1:7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof:
- 1:8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.
- 1:9 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:
- 1:10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.
- 1:11 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:
- 1:12 But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.
- 1:13 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:
- 1:14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:
- 1:15 And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Amos, a herdsman from Tekoa, is the named prophet and traditional author. Biblical references: Amos 1:1; Amos 7:14. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Amos 1:1–2:16): Amos announces judgments against the neighboring nations and then Judah and Israel. The nations named are the subjects of the oracles, not necessarily people standing before Amos. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Principally the northern kingdom of Israel, while the opening judgments also concern neighboring nations and Judah. Biblical references: Amos 1:1; Amos 2:4; Amos 3:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors. Read Amos 1:1 through Amos 1:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The sequence of oracles moves through surrounding peoples and arrives at Judah and Israel, exposing Israel's own guilt. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Amos dates his words by the reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam and by the earthquake. The announced day and later restoration are subjects of prophecy, not simple dates of composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Amos is identified with Tekoa, while the messages focus on Israel and also address Judah and surrounding peoples. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors (Amos 1:1 to Amos 1:15). Start reading at Amos 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? James cites the promise concerning David's fallen tabernacle in the discussion of Gentiles in Acts 15. This is an explicit apostolic use of Amos, not a warrant to ignore the book's rebukes of injustice. See Amos 9:11, Acts 15:15, Acts 15:16, Acts 15:17. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Reject worship that coexists with exploitation and complacency. Listen to the accusations as well as the closing promise of restoration. interpretation
Cited: Amos 1:1, Amos 1:15, Amos 9:11, Acts 15:15, Acts 15:16, Acts 15:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Amos
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Amos of Tekoa and dates him by the reigning kings.
Amos 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Amos.
Related passages
- For Amos 1:6,9,11,13 Amos 2:1,4,6 Job 5:19 Job 19:3 Prov 6:16 Eccl 11:2
- Damascus Isa 7:8 Isa 8:4 Isa 17:1 Jer 49:23-27 Zech 9:1
- turn away the punishment thereof Amos 6:1-14
- because 1 Kgs 19:17 2 Kgs 8:12 2 Kgs 10:32-33 2 Kgs 13:3,7 Isa 41:15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Amos 1
Amos identifies his background and locates his words in the reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam. The book addresses Israel's injustice and false religious security while also announcing judgment on neighboring peoples. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Amos
Amos identifies his background and locates his words in the reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam. The book addresses Israel's injustice and false religious security while also announcing judgment on neighboring peoples.
FocusAccountability for wrongdoing
Connection to the wholeThe sequence of oracles moves through surrounding peoples and arrives at Judah and Israel, exposing Israel's own guilt.
interpretation Israel's security challenged
Amos 3:1–6:14FocusJustice, worship, and coming judgment
Connection to the wholeAddresses against injustice and complacency reject the notion that religious activity can substitute for righteousness.
interpretation Visions and prophetic conflict
Amos 7:1–9:10FocusJudgment pressed upon the people
Connection to the wholeThe visions and confrontation with Amaziah bring the announced judgment into sharp focus while distinguishing the LORD's command from the prophet's own status.
interpretation The fallen booth restored
Amos 9:11–15FocusRestoration after judgment
Connection to the wholeThe closing promise turns from the sifting judgment toward restoration and fruitful settlement.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.