translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: AMO

label: NET study note

text: This refers to a well-known earthquake that occurred during the first half of the 8th century b.c . According to a generally accepted dating system, Uzziah was a co-regent with his father Amaziah from 792-767 b.c. and ruled independently from 767-740 b.c . Jeroboam II was a co-regent with his father Joash from 793-782 b.c. and ruled independently from 782-753 b.c . Since only Uzziah and Jeroboam are mentioned in the introduction it is likely that Amos’ mission to Israel and the earthquake which followed occurred between 767-753 b.c . The introduction validates the genuine character of Amos’ prophetic ministry in at least two ways: (1) Amos was not a native Israelite or a prophet by trade. Rather he was a herdsman in Tekoa, located in Judah. His mere presence in the northern kingdom as a prophet was evidence that he had been called by God (see 7:14-15 ). (2) The mighty earthquake shortly after Amos’ ministry would have been interpreted as an omen or signal of approaching judgment. The clearest references to an earthquake are 1:1 and 9:1, 5 . It is possible that the verb הָפַךְ ( hafakh , “overturn”) at 3:13-15, 4:11, 6:11, and 8:8 also refers to an earthquake, as might the descriptions at 2:13 and 6:9-10 . Evidence of a powerful earthquake has been correlated with a destruction layer at Hazor and other sites. Its lasting impact is evident by its mention in Zech 14:5 and 2 Chr 26:16-21 . Earthquake imagery appears in later prophets as well (cf. D. N. Freedman and A. Welch, “Amos’s Earthquake and Israelite Prophecy,” Scripture and Other Artifacts , 188-98). On the other hand, some of these verses in Amos could allude to the devastation that would be caused by the imminent military invasion.


text: The Lord , in his role of warrior-king, is compared to a lion. See 3:4, 8 .


text: Carmel was a region known for its abundant plants and trees. See Isa 33:9; 35:2 ; Jer 50:19 .


text: Loss of a land’s fertility is frequently associated with judgment in the OT and ancient Near Eastern literature.


text: Ben-hadad may refer to Hazael’s son and successor ( 2 Kgs 13:3, 24 ) or to an earlier king (see ), perhaps the ruler whom Hazael assassinated when he assumed power.


text: The bar on the city gate symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.


text: According to Amos 9:7 , the Arameans originally came from Kir . The Lord threatens to reverse their history and send them back there.


text: Gaza was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath). It was considered to mark the southern limit of Canaan at the point on the coast where it was located ( Gen 10:19 ).


text: The city wall symbolizes the city’s defenses and security.


text: Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath).


text: Ashkelon was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashdod, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath).


text: Ekron was one of the five major Philistine cities (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Gath).


text: A treaty of brotherhood . In the ancient Near Eastern world familial terms were sometimes used to describe treaty partners. In a treaty between superior and inferior parties, the lord would be called “father” and the subject “son.” The partners in a treaty between equals referred to themselves as “brothers.” For biblical examples, see 1 Kgs 9:13; 20:32-33 .


text: It is likely that “brother” refers here to a treaty partner (see the note on the word “brotherhood” in 1:9 ). However, it is possible, if Israel is in view, that Edom’s ancient blood relationship to God’s people is alluded to here. Cf. NCV, NLT “their relatives, the Israelites.”


text: Teman was an important region (or perhaps city) in Edom.


text: Bozrah was a city located in northern Edom.


text: The Ammonites ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women in conjunction with a military invasion designed to expand their territory. Such atrocities, although repugnant, were not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern warfare.


text: Rabbah was the Ammonite capital.