📖 Biblical Definition
Amos was an eighth-century BC prophet from Tekoa in Judah — a small village about ten miles south of Jerusalem — who described himself as "no prophet, neither... a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit" (Amos 7:14). The LORD took him from following the flock and sent him to prophesy in the northern kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (c. 760-750 BC). His message was hard-edged: judgment on social injustice, false worship, and complacent prosperity. He thundered against luxurious women ("kine of Bashan", 4:1), against those who "sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes" (2:6), and famously: "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream" (5:24). The book closes with Davidic restoration.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
8th-c BC herdsman-prophet of social justice; "let justice roll down."
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8th century BC prophet from Tekoa, a herdsman and dresser of sycamore figs. Sent by YHWH from Judah to prophesy in the northern kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II. Pronounced devastating judgment-oracles against social injustice, the oppression of the poor, religious formalism, and the false security of national prosperity. Famous lines: "the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light" (5:18); "let judgment (mishpat) run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream" (5:24); and the prophetic-burden defense, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman" (7:14).
📖 Key Scripture
Amos 5:24 — "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."
Amos 5:18-19 — "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light."
Amos 7:14-15 — "Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Selectively quoted by both progressive and conservative camps; the full book's prophetic anger at religious formalism alongside social injustice gets fragmented.
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Both camps use Amos selectively: progressive Christianity loves 5:24; conservative Christianity loves the prophetic authority. The full book holds them together: God hates oppression of the poor AND religious formalism that ignores it. Both camps need the whole Amos.
Recover the whole: justice rolling like waters and the LORD-of-hosts taking down the high places. Same prophet, same God, same oracle.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Amos.
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['Hebrew', 'H5986', 'Amos', 'Amos, burden-bearer']
Usage
"Let judgment roll down as waters."
"Day of the LORD is darkness, not light."
"I was no prophet... but the LORD took me."