Amos 7 2

Amos 7:2 kjv

And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.

Amos 7:2 nkjv

And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: "O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, For he is small!"

Amos 7:2 niv

When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!"

Amos 7:2 esv

When they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said, "O Lord GOD, please forgive! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!"

Amos 7:2 nlt

In my vision the locusts ate every green plant in sight. Then I said, "O Sovereign LORD, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small."

Amos 7 verses

Amos 7 2 Meaning

The prophet Amos, having seen visions of divine judgment, pleads with the Lord God for forgiveness, acknowledging their smallness and precarious state, thereby averting complete destruction.

Amos 7 2 Context

Chapter 7 of Amos presents a series of five visions that foreshadow imminent divine judgment upon Israel for its sin. Amos intercedes after each of the first two visions: the plague of locusts (v. 1-3) and the devastating fire (v. 4-6). In this particular verse, Amos laments the weakness of Jacob (representing the nation of Israel) in the face of these impending judgments, framing it as a plea for God to relent. The nation's vulnerability, described as "too small to stand," underscores their utter helplessness without divine mercy.

Amos 7 2 Word Analysis

• "And" (וְ — wə) - A common conjunctive particle, linking this thought to the previous action or declaration.

• "Jacob" (יַעֲקֹב — Yaʿăqōḇ) - Refers to the patriarch Jacob, but by extension represents the entire nation of Israel. It carries connotations of wrestling, struggle, and sometimes cunning, as seen in Jacob's life.

• "what" (מֶה — meh) - An interrogative pronoun, expressing a question.

• "is" (כִּי — kî) - While often translated as "because," here it functions as a particle introducing a subordinate clause or question, possibly expressing astonishment or disbelief about Jacob's standing.

• "Jacob," (יַעֲקֹב — Yaʿăqōḇ) - Again, referring to the people of Israel.

• "for" (כִּי — kî) - This Hebrew word can mean "because," "for," "that," or it can introduce a statement of reason or cause. Here, it's likely "because" or explaining the premise for the Lord's action in the vision.

• "it" (הוּא — hû’) - A masculine singular pronoun referring back to Jacob/Israel.

• "cannot" (לֹא־יוּכַל — lō’ yûḵal) - Expresses inability, lack of power, or capability.

• "stand" (עָמֹד — ʿāmōḏ) - To stand upright, to remain firm, to endure, to survive. In this context, it implies standing firm against judgment or trial.

• "for" (כִּי — kî) - Again, the particle introducing a reason.

• "he" (הוּא — hû’) - Pronoun referring to Jacob/Israel.

• "is" (הָיָה — hōyâ) - While the root verb "to be," often implied.

• "surely" (כִּי־אִם — kî ’im) - An emphatic particle often translated as "indeed," "surely," "unless," or "only." It adds strong emphasis to the following statement.

• "too" (כִּי — kî) - Used in conjunction with other words to express "too" or "so" in degree.

• "small." (קָטֹן — qāṭōn) - Small in size, stature, quantity, or importance; insignificant.

• Word Group Analysis: "What is Jacob, for it cannot stand? He is surely too small." This rhetorical question highlights the utter fragility and helplessness of Israel when faced with divine judgment. The phrase "too small" is not merely about physical size but signifies insignificance and a complete lack of power or inherent strength to withstand the coming calamity. It emphasizes their dependence on God's mercy for survival. The "for it cannot stand" emphasizes their inability to endure the judgment themselves.

Amos 7 2 Bonus Section

This verse demonstrates the prophetic dialogue with God, where the prophet acts as an intercessor. It shows that God's judgments, while certain, can be tempered by genuine intercession rooted in a correct assessment of human frailty and divine mercy. Amos's petition mirrors other instances in Scripture where leaders plead for their people, appealing to God's covenant faithfulness and His compassion. The rhetorical question serves to highlight the appropriateness of God showing mercy to such a people, rather than their earning it.

Amos 7 2 Commentary

Amos, deeply affected by the divine visions of destruction, cries out in defense of Israel, portraying them as too weak and insignificant to survive the coming judgment. This plea is rooted in humility and an understanding of Israel's actual spiritual and national standing before a holy God. It's not a claim of merit but an admission of utter dependency on God's grace and a rhetorical question designed to elicit compassion from the Lord. The question implies: "How could a people so vulnerable and insignificant possibly withstand your judgment? Therefore, show mercy." This intercession reflects a prophet's tender heart and his role as a mediator, appealing to God's known character of mercy.