עָמוֹס

עָמוֹס

Amos, an Israelite prophet

Definition

Amos is the name of a prophet from Tekoa in Judah who ministered during the reigns of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel (Amos 1:1). Primarily, the word refers to the person of the prophet, a shepherd and dresser of sycamore figs called by God to pronounce judgment on the surrounding nations and on Israel itself (Amos 7:14-15). The book bearing his name records his visions and oracles, establishing him as a key figure in the tradition of the writing prophets who emphasized social justice and God's sovereignty.

Biblical Usage

The name Amos is used exclusively in the prophetic book of Amos. It identifies the prophet himself, often in the introductory formula 'The words of Amos...' (Amos 1:1). It is also used when others, like the priest Amaziah, address or refer to him directly (Amos 7:10, 7:12). The usage is consistently as a proper noun for the individual.

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew root עָמַס (ʿāmas, H6006), meaning 'to load, carry, or bear a burden.' The name likely means 'burdened' or 'burden-bearer.' This is fitting given the prophetic 'burden' or oracle (מַשָּׂא, maśśā) he delivered against the nations (e.g., Amos 1:3).

Semantic Range

The prophet Amos is central to understanding God's character as a God of justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) and righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah), especially for the poor and oppressed (Amos 5:24). His ministry highlights God's universal sovereignty over all nations (Amos 1:3-2:3) and His specific covenant lawsuit against Israel for religious hypocrisy and social injustice. Understanding his name's connection to 'burden' deepens the sense of the weighty, non-negotiable message he was compelled to deliver. As a shepherd and agricultural worker from Tekoa, Amos was not part of the professional prophetic guilds. His background as an outsider from Judah speaking in Israel gave his message a disruptive authority and underscored that God's call transcends social or professional status. His identification as a 'herdsman' (בּוֹקֵר, boqer) and 'dresser of sycamore figs' (Amos 7:14) grounds his prophecies in the tangible realities of land, labor, and economic justice. No direct synonyms as a proper name. Thematically related to נָבִיא (nāḇîʾ, H5030) — the general term for 'prophet,' a role Amos filled. Also related to רֹעֶה (rōʿeh, H7462) — 'shepherd,' which describes his occupation.

Word Details