Amos 7 14

Amos 7:14 kjv

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:

Amos 7:14 nkjv

Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.

Amos 7:14 niv

Amos answered Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.

Amos 7:14 esv

Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.

Amos 7:14 nlt

But Amos replied, "I'm not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I'm just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees.

Amos 7 verses

Amos 7 14 Meaning

Amos identifies himself as a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore-figs, explicitly stating he was not a prophet by profession or training, but called by the Lord. This underscores the divine origin and unconventional nature of his prophetic commission, differentiating him from professional or self-appointed prophets of his day.

Amos 7 14 Context

Amos delivers this declaration in Bethel, a royal sanctuary, responding to Amaziah, the priest. Amaziah has just accused Amos of sedition, telling him to flee back to Judah and prophesy there, not in Israel. Amaziah sees Amos's prophecies of judgment against Israel as a threat to the king and the religious establishment. Amos's statement asserts that his prophetic authority is derived directly from God, not from any human institution or lineage of prophets. This was in stark contrast to the established religious hierarchy represented by Amaziah.

Amos 7 14 Word Analysis

• אנוכי (anokhi): "I." A direct, emphatic statement of self.

• לא (lo): "Not." A clear negation.

• נביא (navi): "prophet." One who speaks forth God's message.

• אב (av): "father."

• היו (hiyu): "I was" (imperfect verb). Indicates state or ongoing condition.

• ואלהים (we'elohim): "and [with] God." The conjunctive 'waw' (and) combined with 'elohim' (God). This linkage signifies partnership or relationship.

• לא (lo): "nor." Further negation.

• איש (ish): "man." A generic term for a person.

• מקנה (miqneh): "flock," "herd," "cattle," "possessions." Broad term for livestock.

• אחוזי (achuzie): "owner of," "possessor of," "herdsman of." Implies one who tends to or looks after the flock.

• סיס (sis): "Sycamore-fig." A specific type of fig tree.

• תאנים (te'enim): "figs." The fruit of the fig tree.

• קוטף (qotef): "plucking," "gathering," "stripping off." Present participle, indicating Amos's occupation of preparing the figs for ripening.

• קאים (qaim): "gatherer of." Denotes one who harvests or collects.

• Phrase Group Analysis: "anokhi lo navi aval ish miqneh w'anochi ish bayit otzar le-siisim qotef:" - This phrase combines the negation of being a prophet ("anokhi lo navi") with the affirmation of his ordinary, vocational background ("av la-miqneh w'anochi ish qotef et ha-te'enim le-siisim"). It presents a sharp contrast between the learned or ordained prophet and the common laborer, emphasizing that his call is supernatural, not vocational. The mention of "dresser of sycamore-figs" specifically signifies a humble, practical occupation, one that involved puncturing the fruit to aid its ripening. This humble beginning is often contrasted with the sophisticated or learned backgrounds of some other prophetic figures or religious leaders.

Amos 7 14 Bonus Section

The designation "dresser of sycamore-figs" points to a labor-intensive and somewhat humble task. The sycamore-fig required special treatment (piercing the fruit) to ripen. This detail reinforces Amos’s grounded, non-elite background, further underscoring that God’s calling bypasses societal prestige. It emphasizes God's ability to utilize the most unlikely individuals for His purposes, demonstrating that spiritual authority is conferred by God alone, not earned through birthright or professional affiliation. This self-identification contrasts sharply with the self-appointed or politically influenced religious leaders of his time.

Amos 7 14 Commentary

Amos's statement, "I was neither a prophet nor a son of a prophet," functions as a strong disclaimer of professional affiliation and human lineage in his prophetic calling. He was not part of an established prophetic guild, nor did he inherit prophetic duties from his family. Instead, his prophetic ministry was a direct mandate from God, stemming from his previous life as a humble shepherd and cultivator of sycamore figs. This emphasis highlights that God can and does call individuals from all walks of life, independent of their social status, education, or traditional religious training. His credibility rests solely on the divine authority behind his message, which he is commissioned to deliver. This contrasts with the "false prophets" of his era who often spoke pleasing messages aligned with the status quo for personal gain or sought to validate their position through inherited roles or formal schooling. Amos's background as a shepherd, deeply connected to the land and its cycles, gives him a unique perspective on God's dealings with His people, often employing agricultural metaphors and analogies to convey spiritual truths.