Amos 3:6-8

6 If a 1trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a 2calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?
7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing * Unless * He 3reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.
8 A 4lion has roared! Who will not fear? The 5Lord GOD has spoken! 6Who can but prophesy?

Amos 3:6-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 3

In this chapter the prophet goes on with his prophecy against Israel, whom God had highly favoured, and yet sinned against him, and therefore must expect to be punished by him; and the rather, since he and they were not agreed; and therefore there could be no communion between them, Am 3:1-3; and by various similes are set forth the cause of divine judgments, the certain design of them, and their continuance, till the end is answered; which should be attended to, since every thing of this kind is of God, who giving his prophets notice of it, they are under an absolute necessity of declaring it; nor should they be blamed for it, Am 3:4-8; and even the Heathen nations are appealed unto as witnesses of the sins of Israel, that caused such a denunciation of wrath; their tumults, oppression, injustice, violence, and robbery, Am 3:9,10; wherefore an adversary is threatened to be sent among them, that should utterly destroy them, so that few should escape, Am 3:11,12; particularly their idolatry and luxury seem to have been reigning sins, which had a great hand in bringing on their rum, and for which the Lord would punish them, Am 3:13-15.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Jer 4:5, 19, 21; Jeremiah 6:1; Hosea 5:8; Zephaniah 1:16
  • 2. Isaiah 14:24-27; Isaiah 45:7
  • 3. Genesis 6:13; Genesis 18:17; Jeremiah 23:22; Daniel 9:22; John 15:15
  • 4. Amos 1:2
  • 5. Jonah 1:1-3; Jonah 3:1-3
  • 6. Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 4:20

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or "For"
  • [b]. Heb "YHWH"
  • [c]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD, and so throughout the ch
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.