The Prophecies of Amos: Introduction

This chapter will present the historic background of Amos’s prophecies, along with a brief biographic sketch of the prophet. We will then look at the opening lines of his prophecy and assay its role within his oratory.

The dating scheme at the beginning of Amos and the others among the "four synchronous prophets" is not merely a device for identifying when the prophet operates. It also tells us something about the content of each mission. The strange reference to King Yeravam of Israel (in addition to four kings of Judah) in the title verse may serve to foreshadow the confrontation between king and prophet that will define Amos’s agency.