Amos 7:15 (KJV)

What does Amos 7:15 mean?

Amos 7:15 describes how God personally chose Amos, taking him from his work as a shepherd and commanding him to go and speak as a prophet to the people of Israel. The verse emphasizes that Amos did not seek out this role himself but was directly called by God to deliver His message.

In this verse, Amos is explaining to his audience that his authority as a prophet comes from God’s direct command, not from any personal ambition or religious background. Amos had been tending sheep when the LORD (the personal name for God, often written as יהוה / YHWH / Yahweh) called him and told him to prophesy to Israel, highlighting that God can choose anyone for His purposes, regardless of their background or occupation.

The Hebrew behind Amos 7:15

• "LORD" (יהוה / YHWH / Yahweh): This is the personal, covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, stressing that Amos’s commission comes from the highest authority.
• "took" (לָקַח / laqach): This word means to take or seize, showing that God actively intervened in Amos’s life, pulling him from his ordinary work.
• "followed" (אַחַר / achar): This word means to follow after, describing Amos’s humble work as someone who simply followed the flock, not a leader or religious figure.
• "flock" (צֹאן / tson): Refers to sheep or small livestock, underlining Amos’s ordinary, rural background before his prophetic call.
• "Go" (יָלַךְ / yalak): The command to go, making clear that Amos’s mission is not self-appointed but a direct order from God.
• "prophesy" (נָבָא / nava’): To speak as a prophet, indicating Amos’s new role as God’s spokesperson.

Why Amos 7:15 matters

• Amos 7:15 clarifies that Amos was not a professional prophet or priest but an ordinary shepherd, chosen by God, which counters accusations that he was acting out of personal interest or tradition.
• The verse highlights God’s freedom to call anyone, regardless of status or background, to serve His purposes, which is a recurring theme in the Bible.
• In the wider context of Amos 7, this statement defends Amos’s authority against opposition, showing that his message comes from divine commission, not human appointment.