Amos – Chapter 3

Old Testament • 15 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I brought up out of the…" — so begins Amos 3. Jacob stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 15 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and suffering and trial. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:

2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore will I visit upon you all your iniquities.

3Shall two walk together except they be agreed?

4Will a lion roar in the forest, if he have no prey? will the lion's whelp cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?

5Will the bird fall into the snare upon the earth, if there be no fowler? Shall the snare be taken up from the earth, before it hath taken somewhat?

6Shall the trumpet sound in a city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, which the Lord hath not done?

7For the Lord God doth nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

8The lion shall roar, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who shall not prophesy?

9Publish it in the houses of Azotus, and in the houses of the land of Egypt, and say: Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the many follies in the midst thereof, and them that suffer oppression in the inner rooms thereof.

10And they have not known to do the right thing, saith the Lord, storing up iniquity, and robberies in their houses.

11Therefore thus saith the Lord God: The land shall be in tribulation, and shall be compassed about: and thy strength shall be taken away from thee, and thy houses shall be spoiled.

12Thus saith the Lord: As if a shepherd should get out of the lion's mouth two legs, or the tip of the ear: so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria, in a place of a bed, and in the couch of Damascus.

13Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord the God of hosts:

14That in the day when I shall begin to visit the transgressions of Israel, I will visit upon him, and upon the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altars shall be cut off, and shall fall to the ground.

15And I will strike the winter house with the summer house: and the houses of ivory shall perish, and many houses shall be destroyed, saith the Lord.

Important Verses in Amos 3

“Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:”

Amos 3:1

“For the Lord God doth nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God: The land shall be in tribulation, and shall be compassed about: and thy strength shall be taken away from thee, and thy houses shall be spoiled.”

Amos 3:11

“And I will strike the winter house with the summer house: and the houses of ivory shall perish, and many houses shall be destroyed, saith the Lord. ”

Amos 3:15

Historical Context

Amos addresses the wealthy northern kingdom, warned that worship without justice is worthless within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 3 of 9 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 15 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Jacob, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I…" It concludes: "And I will strike the winter house with the summer house: and the houses of ivory shall perish, and many houses shall…" The wider setting of Amos is this: Amos, a layman from Judah, was sent north to prosperous Israel, where luxury coexisted with oppression of the poor and hollow worship. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About 760-750 BC.

Who Wrote It

Amos, a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees from Tekoa

When It Was Written

About 760-750 BC

Catholic Commentary

The prophet addresses Israel with a message rooted in covenant fidelity and the hope of restoration. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of social justice and true worship. Catholic social teaching echoes Amos's call for justice (CIC 2419-2425). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 265).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Suffering, united to Christ, becomes a path of purification and deeper trust in God.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Amos Chapter 3, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of intercession for others bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amos Chapter 3 about?

Amos 3 contains 15 verses. It opens with "Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I…" and closes with "And I will strike the winter house with the summer house: and the houses of ivory shall perish, and many houses shall…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles of judgment.

What is a key verse in Amos 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Amos Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Jacob.

Who wrote Amos and when?

Amos, a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees from Tekoa. About 760-750 BC.

Related Chapters

Genesis 35Shares people and themes with this chapterExodus 3Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 23Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Prayer in Time of Suffering🙏Anima Christi

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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