Amos 7:1 (KJV)

What does Amos 7:1 mean?

Amos 7:1 describes a vision God showed to the prophet Amos, where God forms a swarm of grasshoppers (locusts) at the time when the later crops begin to grow, after the king’s share of the harvest has already been taken. This vision signals a coming disaster that would threaten the food supply of ordinary people, since the king’s portion was already secured.

In this setting, Amos is speaking about what he saw in a vision given by God, using the phrase “the Lord GOD shewed unto me.” The vision takes place after the king’s mowings, meaning the first harvest had already been collected for the king, and now the remaining crops—the “latter growth”—are at risk. The mention of grasshoppers points to a devastating plague that could wipe out what is left for the people, highlighting a warning of judgment.

The Hebrew behind Amos 7:1

• “Lord” (אֲדֹנָי, ʾadonai) and “GOD” (יְהוִה, yehovih): The double title emphasizes God’s authority and sovereignty in what Amos is shown.
• “Shewed” (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means “to show” or “to cause to see,” making it clear Amos is not just imagining, but being shown something directly by God.
• “Formed” (יָצַר, yatsar): This verb means “to shape” or “to form,” stressing that God is actively creating the grasshoppers, not just allowing them to appear.
• “Grasshoppers” (גֹּבַי, govai): This word refers to a kind of locust, a destructive insect known for devastating crops, which would have been a familiar threat in ancient Israel.

Why Amos 7:1 matters

• Amos 7:1 clarifies that the coming threat is not random but is formed by God’s own action, underlining the seriousness of the warning.
• The timing—after the king’s mowings—shows that the judgment would strike the common people hardest, since the king’s needs were already met.
• This verse introduces a series of visions in Amos, setting the stage for the prophet’s role as an intercessor and highlighting the relationship between God’s justice and mercy in the following verses.