FocusJustice, worship, and coming judgment
Connection to the wholeAddresses against injustice and complacency reject the notion that religious activity can substitute for righteousness.
interpretation Amos 3:6
KJVShall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
Read it in context
Witnesses against Israel
Start reading at Amos 3:1 (Amos 3:1 to Amos 3:15).
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.
Addresses against injustice and complacency reject the notion that religious activity can substitute for righteousness.
- 3:1 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
- 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
- 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
- 3:4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
- 3:5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
- 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
- 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
- 3:8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
- 3:9 Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
- 3:10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
- 3:11 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
- 3:12 Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
- 3:13 Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
- 3:14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
- 3:15 And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, 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 3:1–6:14): Israel, especially its privileged families and leaders in Samaria, is addressed; the warning also challenges those at ease in Zion. 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? Witnesses against Israel. Read Amos 3:1 through Amos 3:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Addresses against injustice and complacency reject the notion that religious activity can substitute for righteousness. 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 Witnesses against Israel (Amos 3:1 to Amos 3:15). Start reading at Amos 3:1. 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 3:1, Amos 3:15, 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
- a trumpet Jer 4:5 Jer 6:1 Ezek 33:3 Hos 5:8 Zeph 1:16
- and the people Jer 5:22 Jer 10:7 2 Cor 5:11
- be afraid Gen 50:20 Isa 14:24-27 Isa 45:7 Acts 2:23 Acts 4:28
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 3
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.
The nations and Israel indicted
Amos 1:1–2:16FocusAccountability 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 FocusJustice, 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.