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 4:6
KJVAnd I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Read it in context
Punishment Brings No Repentance
Start reading at Amos 4:1 (Amos 4:1 to Amos 4:13).
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.
- 4:1 Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
- 4:2 The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
- 4:3 And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.
- 4:4 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
- 4:5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
- 4:6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
- 4:7 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
- 4:8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
- 4:9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
- 4:10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
- 4:11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
- 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
- 4:13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.
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? Punishment Brings No Repentance. Read Amos 4:1 through Amos 4:13 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 Punishment Brings No Repentance (Amos 4:1 to Amos 4:13). Start reading at Amos 4:1. 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 4:1, Amos 4:13, 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
- and want Lev 26:26 Deut 28:38 1 Kgs 17:1 1 Kgs 18:2 2 Kgs 4:38 2 Kgs 6:25-29 2 Kgs 8:1 Ezek 16:27
- yet Amos 4:8-9 2 Chr 28:22 Isa 9:13 Isa 26:11 Jer 5:3 Jer 8:5-7 Hos 5:15 Hos 6:1
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 4
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.