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1The following is a record of what Amos prophesied. He was one of the herdsmen from Tekoa. These prophecies about Israel were revealed to him during the time of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.[#tn Heb “The words of Amos.” Among the prophetic books this opening phrase finds a parallel only at Jer 1:1 but is not that uncommon in other genres (note, e.g., Prov 30:1; 31:1; Eccl 1:1; Neh 1:1).; #tn Heb “who.” Here a new sentence has been started in the translation for stylistic reasons.; #tn Heb “which he saw concerning Israel.”; #tn Heb “in the days of.”; #tn The Hebrew text repeats, “and in the days of.” This phrase has not been repeated in the translation for stylistic reasons.; #sn This refers to a well-known earthquake that occurred during the first half of the 8th century b.c. According to a generally accepted dating system, Uzziah was a co-regent with his father Amaziah from 792-767 b.c. and ruled independently from 767-740 b.c. Jeroboam II was a co-regent with his father Joash from 793-782 b.c. and ruled independently from 782-753 b.c. Since only Uzziah and Jeroboam are mentioned in the introduction it is likely that Amos’ mission to Israel and the earthquake which followed occurred between 767-753 b.c. The introduction validates the genuine character of Amos’ prophetic ministry in at least two ways: (1) Amos was not a native Israelite or a prophet by trade. Rather he was a herdsman in Tekoa, located in Judah. His mere presence in the northern kingdom as a prophet was evidence that he had been called by God (see 7:14-15). (2) The mighty earthquake shortly after Amos’ ministry would have been interpreted as an omen or signal of approaching judgment. The clearest references to an earthquake are 1:1 and 9:1, 5. It is possible that the verb הָפַךְ (hafakh, “overturn”) at 3:13-15, 4:11, 6:11, and 8:8 also refers to an earthquake, as might the descriptions at 2:13 and 6:9-10. Evidence of a powerful earthquake has been correlated with a destruction layer at Hazor and other sites. Its lasting impact is evident by its mention in Zech 14:5 and 2 Chr 26:16-21. Earthquake imagery appears in later prophets as well (cf. D. N. Freedman and A. Welch, “Amos’s Earthquake and Israelite Prophecy,” Scripture and Other Artifacts, 188-98). On the other hand, some of these verses in Amos could allude to the devastation that would be caused by the imminent military invasion.]
2Amos said:[#tn Heb “he;” the referent (Amos) has been specified in the translation for clarity.]
“The Lord comes roaring out of Zion;
from Jerusalem he comes bellowing!
The shepherds’ pastures wilt;
the summit of Carmel withers.”
3This is what the Lord says:
“Because Damascus has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my
decree of judgment.
They ripped through Gilead like threshing sledges with iron teeth.
4So I will set Hazael’s house on fire;[#tn “Hazael’s house” (“the house of Hazael”) refers to the dynasty of Hazael.sn Hazael took the throne of Aram in 843 b.c. and established a royal dynasty. See 2 Kgs 8:7-15 and W. Pitard, Ancient Damascus, 145-60.]
fire will consume Ben Hadad’s fortresses.
5I will break the bar on the gate of Damascus.[#sn The bar on the city gate symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.]
I will remove the ruler from Wicked Valley,
the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden.
The people of Aram will be deported to Kir.”
The Lord has spoken!
6This is what the Lord says:
“Because Gaza has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
They deported a whole community and sold them to Edom.
7So I will set Gaza’s city wall on fire;[#sn The city wall symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.]
fire will consume her fortresses.
8I will remove the ruler from Ashdod,[#tn Heb “cut off.”; #tn Heb “the one who sits.” Some translations take this expression as a collective singular referring to the inhabitants rather than the ruler (e.g., NAB, NRSV, NLT).; #sn Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath).]
the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon.
I will strike Ekron with my hand;
the rest of the Philistines will also die.”
The sovereign Lord has spoken!
9This is what the Lord says:
“Because Tyre has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
They sold a whole community to Edom;
they failed to observe a treaty of brotherhood.
10So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall;[#sn The city wall symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.]
fire will consume her fortresses.”
11This is what the Lord says:
“Because Edom has committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
He chased his brother with a sword;
he wiped out his allies.
In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest;
in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.
12So I will set Teman on fire;[#sn Teman was an important region (or perhaps city) in Edom.]
fire will consume Bozrah’s fortresses.”
13This is what the Lord says:
“Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes –
make that four! – I will not revoke my decree of judgment.
They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women
so they could expand their territory.
14So I will set fire to Rabbah’s city wall;[#sn Rabbah was the Ammonite capital.; #sn The city wall symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.]
fire will consume her fortresses.
War cries will be heard on the day of battle;
a strong gale will blow on the day of the windstorm.
15Ammon’s king will be deported;[#tn Heb “their”; the referent (Ammon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.; #tn Heb “will go into exile.”]
he and his officials will be carried off together.”
The Lord has spoken!