עָמוֹס (a.mos)
a.mos
Amos
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Amos, or ‘āmôs, means "burden" or "one who bears a load." It belongs to the prophet who delivered God’s messages to the northern kingdom of Israel during the divided monarchy period. He is introduced in the opening verse of his book, where he is identified as one of the men from Tekoa, a town in Judah near Bethlehem.
Unlike the professional priests or court prophets of his day, Amos was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore-fig trees by trade. This background likely shaped his plain, earthy style of speaking. His name itself reflects the heavy weight of the messages he carried—judgment against social injustice and religious hypocrisy. The sources confirm that he is the author of the biblical book bearing his name, which stands as a powerful witness to the moral demands of faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Amos means 'burden' or 'one who bears a load.' It belonged to a shepherd from Tekoa whom God called to speak hard truths to Israel. He carried messages of judgment against social injustice and religious hypocrisy, not as a professional priest, but as an ordinary man with a heavy calling.
His story reminds us that faithfulness often involves carrying weight others wish to ignore. When Amaziah told him to flee (Amos 7:12), Amos stood firm, citing his simple background as proof of God’s direct commission (Amos 7:14). This word invites us to consider what burdens God has placed on our hearts—truths we must speak or lives we must live with integrity, even when it is difficult.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Amos5×
- O Amos2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָמ֔וֹס5×
- עָמוֹס֙1×
- עָמ֗וֹס1×
Key Verses
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Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
This reference establishes Amos's identity as a herdsman from Tekoa, grounding his prophetic authority in ordinary life rather than religious office.
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Amos 7:10
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the middle of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.
Here the name appears in the context of political conflict, showing how the prophet's message was perceived as a threat to the established power structure.
-
Amos 7:14
Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs;
Amos uses his own name and identity to defend his calling, clarifying that he was not a professional prophet but a man obeying God's direct command.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Amos mean?
Was Amos a professional prophet?
Why did Amaziah oppose Amos?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 1 books)
Amos 7 verses
The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of…
Amos 7:8Yahweh said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I will set a plumb…
Amos 7:10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the…
Amos 7:11For Amos says, ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.’”
Amos 7:12Amaziah also said to Amos, “You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there,
Amos 7:14Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of…
Amos 8:2He said, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then Yahweh said to me, “The end has come on my…