And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.

AMOS 7:2KJV
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Amos 7:2 (KJV)

What does Amos 7:2 mean?

Amos 7:2 describes the prophet Amos pleading with God to forgive Israel after witnessing a vision of devastating destruction, asking how the people (called "Jacob") could possibly recover since they are so small and vulnerable. Amos is interceding, expressing deep concern that Israel cannot survive such a calamity.

In this verse, Amos is speaking directly to God after seeing a vision where the land’s grass has been completely eaten, symbolizing total ruin. Amos calls Israel "Jacob," highlighting their identity as God’s chosen people, and points out their weakness by saying "he is small." The verse shows Amos acting as a mediator, begging for mercy on behalf of the people, and recognizing their helplessness in the face of judgment.

The Hebrew behind Amos 7:2

  • "Forgive" (סָלַח, sālaḥ): This word means to pardon or let go of guilt. Amos is not just asking for relief from suffering but for God to wipe away the offense itself, showing the depth of his plea.
  • "Arise" (קוּם, qum): The word means to stand up or recover. Amos is asking how Israel could possibly get back on its feet after such devastation, underlining their inability to restore themselves without God’s help.
  • "Small" (קָטֹן, qāṭōn): This word means little or insignificant. By calling Jacob "small," Amos emphasizes Israel’s weakness and powerlessness, making his request for mercy even more urgent.

Why Amos 7:2 matters

  • Amos 7:2 helps clarify that the prophet is not just a messenger of doom but also an advocate for the people, showing compassion and a desire for their forgiveness.
  • The verse highlights Israel’s vulnerability, reminding readers that their survival depends entirely on God’s mercy, not their own strength.
  • This moment sets the tone for the rest of Amos 7, where God’s judgments are shown to be serious but not without the possibility of mercy in response to heartfelt intercession.

Where else these words appear

“grass” Hebrew H6212 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
  • Exodus 10:15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 104:14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

“forgive” Hebrew H5545 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
  • Numbers 15:26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

“small” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 31:15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: