FocusJudgment 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 Amos 8:7
KJVThe LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
Read it in context
The Basket of Summer Fruit
Start reading at Amos 8:1 (Amos 8:1 to Amos 8:14).
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 visions and confrontation with Amaziah bring the announced judgment into sharp focus while distinguishing the LORD's command from the prophet's own status.
- 8:1 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit.
- 8:2 And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
- 8:3 And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence.
- 8:4 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,
- 8:5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
- 8:6 That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
- 8:7 The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
- 8:8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
- 8:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
- 8:10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
- 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
- 8:12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
- 8:13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
- 8:14 They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.
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 8:1–9:15): Amos receives further visions and addresses Israel's conduct and coming judgment, concluding with restoration for the LORD's people. 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? The Basket of Summer Fruit. Read Amos 8:1 through Amos 8:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The 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
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 The Basket of Summer Fruit (Amos 8:1 to Amos 8:14). Start reading at Amos 8:1. 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 8:1, Amos 8:14, 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
- sworn Amos 6:8 Deut 33:26-29 Ps 47:4 Ps 68:34 Luke 2:32
- I will Exod 17:16 1 Sam 15:2-3 Ps 10:11 Isa 43:25 Jer 17:1 Jer 31:34 Hos 7:2 Hos 8:13
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 8
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 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 FocusJudgment 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.