Amos
1
Introduction
1 This is the message of Amos, one of the shepherds from the city Tekoa. He saw visions about Israel during the time that Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Joash was king of Israel. This was two years before the earthquake.
Punishment for Aram
2 Amos said,
“The LORD will shout like a lion in Zion.
His loud voice will roar from Jerusalem.
The green pastures of the shepherds will turn brown and die.
Even Mount Carmel* will become dry.”
3 This is what the LORD says: “I will definitely punish the people of Damascus for the many crimes they did.† They crushed the people of Gilead with iron threshing tools. 4 So I will start a fire at Hazael’s‡ house that will destroy the great palaces of Ben-Hadad.§
5 “I will also break open the gates of Damascus* and remove the one who sits on the throne in the Valley of Aven.† I will remove the symbol of power from Beth Eden,‡ and the Arameans will be defeated and taken back to Kir.§” This is what the LORD said.
Punishment for the Philistines
6 This is what the LORD says: “I will definitely punish the people of Gaza* for the many crimes they did. They took an entire nation of people and sent them as slaves to Edom. 7 So I will start a fire at the wall of Gaza that will destroy the high towers in Gaza. 8 And I will destroy the one who sits on the throne in Ashdod. I will destroy the king who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will punish the people of Ekron.† Then the Philistines who are still left alive will die.” This is what the Lord GOD said.
Punishment for Phoenicia
9 This is what the LORD says: “I will definitely punish the people of Tyre‡ for the many crimes they did. They took an entire nation and sent them as slaves to Edom. They did not remember the agreement they had made with their brothers.§ 10 So I will start a fire at the walls of Tyre that will destroy the high towers in Tyre.”
Punishment for the Edomites
11 This is what the LORD says: “I will definitely punish the people of Edom for their many crimes. Edom chased his brother with the sword, and he showed no mercy. His anger never stopped. He kept tearing and tearing at Israel like a wild animal. 12 So I will start a fire at Teman that will destroy the high towers of Bozrah.”
Punishment for the Ammonites
13 This is what the LORD says: “I will definitely punish the Ammonites* for the many crimes they did. They killed the pregnant women in Gilead. The Ammonites did this so that they could take that land and make their country larger. 14 So I will start a fire at the wall of Rabbah† that will destroy the high towers of Rabbah. Troubles will come to them like a whirlwind‡ into their country. 15 Then their kings and leaders will be captured. They will all be taken together.” This is what the LORD said.
* 1:2 Mount Carmel A mountain in northern Israel. The name means “God’s vineyard.” This shows that it was a very fertile hill. † 1:3 for the many crimes they did Literally, “for three crimes … and for four ….” This shows that these people were very sinful—and it was time to punish them. Also in verses 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6. ‡ 1:4 Hazael Hazael was the king of Aram (Syria). He murdered Ben-Hadad I so that he could become king. See 2 Kings 8:7. § 1:4 Ben-Hadad Ben-Hadad II, the son of Hazael, king of Aram (Syria). See 2 Kings 13:3. * 1:5 Damascus The capital city of Aram (Syria). † 1:5 the Valley of Aven A name that can mean “Restful Valley” or “Empty Valley of Misfortune.” ‡ 1:5 Beth Eden The royal city of Aram (Syria) on Mount Lebanon. This name means “House of Pleasure” or “Paradise.” § 1:5 Kir Or “Kur,” an area controlled by the Assyrians. See Amos 9:7. * 1:6 Gaza An important city of the Philistines. † 1:8 Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron Important cities of the Philistines. ‡ 1:9 Tyre The capital city of Phoenicia. § 1:9 brothers The people of Israel. * 1:13 Ammonites The Ammonites were the descendants of Ben-Ammi, son of Lot. Read Genesis 19:38. † 1:14 Rabbah The capital city of the Ammonites. ‡ 1:14 whirlwind A strong wind that blows in a circle.