Amos – Chapter 4

Old Testament • 13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Amos 4 opens with the words: "Hear this word, ye fat kine that are in the mountains of Samaria: you that oppress the needy, and crush the poor: that say to your masters:…" Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Hear this word, ye fat kine that are in the mountains of Samaria: you that oppress the needy, and crush the poor: that say to your masters: Bring, and we will drink.

2The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, when they shall lift you up on pikes, and what shall remain of you in boiling pots.

3And you shall go out at the breaches one over against the other, and you shall be cast forth into Armon, saith the Lord.

4Come ye to Bethel, and do wickedly: to Galgal, and multiply transgressions: and bring in the morning your victims, your tithes in three days.

5And offer a sacrifice of praise with leaven: and call free offerings, and proclaim it: for so you would do, O children of Israel, saith the Lord God.

6Whereupon I also have given you dulness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet you have not returned to me, saith the Lord.

7I also have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon on city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon: and the piece whereupon I rained not, withered.

8And two and three cities went to one city to drink water, and were not filled: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord.

9I struck you with a burning wind, and with mildew, the palmerworm hath eaten up your many gardens, and your vineyards: your olive groves, and fig groves: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord.

10I sent death upon you in the way of Egypt, I slew your young men with the sword, even to the captivity of your horses: and I made the stench of your camp to come up into your nostrils: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord.

11I destroyed some of you, as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha, and you were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord.

12Therefore I will do these things to thee, O Israel: and after I shall have done these things to thee, be prepared to meet thy God, O Israel.

13For behold he that formeth the mountains and createth the wind, and declareth his word to man, he that maketh the morning mist, and walketh upon the high places of the earth: the Lord the God of hosts is his name.

Important Verses in Amos 4

“The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, when they shall lift you up on pikes, and what shall remain of you in boiling pots.”

Amos 4:2

“And offer a sacrifice of praise with leaven: and call free offerings, and proclaim it: for so you would do, O children of Israel, saith the Lord God.”

Amos 4:5

“And two and three cities went to one city to drink water, and were not filled: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord.”

Amos 4:8

“For behold he that formeth the mountains and createth the wind, and declareth his word to man, he that maketh the morning mist, and walketh upon the high places of the earth: the Lord the God of hosts is his name. ”

Amos 4:13

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 4 of 9 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Hear this word, ye fat kine that are in the mountains of Samaria: you that oppress the needy, and crush the poor: that…" It concludes: "For behold he that formeth the mountains and createth the wind, and declareth his word to man, he that maketh the…" In terms of historical background, Amos, a layman from Judah, was sent north to prosperous Israel, where luxury coexisted with oppression of the poor and hollow worship. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Amos around 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

In this 13-verse passage, the sacred author describes events, speeches, or revelations central to social justice and true worship. A pivotal line is verse 2: "The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, when they shall lift you up on pikes, and what shall remain of you in boiling…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Amos 4 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Catholic social teaching echoes Amos's call for justice (CIC 2419-2425). St. Cyril of Alexandria and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 74).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Let justice roll down like waters. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Amos 4 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

Reflection for Today

The central section of Amos—Chapter 4 of 9—opens a particular moment in the story of social justice and true worship.

According to Catholic teaching, Catholic social teaching echoes Amos's call for justice (CIC 2419-2425). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 133).

Let Amos Chapter 4 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amos Chapter 4 about?

Amos 4 contains 13 verses. It opens with "Hear this word, ye fat kine that are in the mountains of Samaria: you that oppress the needy, and crush the poor: that…" and closes with "For behold he that formeth the mountains and createth the wind, and declareth his word to man, he that maketh the…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles of judgment.

What is a key verse in Amos 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, when they shall lift you up on pikes, and what shall remain of you in boiling pots." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Amos and when?

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

Related Chapters

Exodus 16Shares people and themes with this chapterLeviticus 7Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 28Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

Deepen your understanding with these related articles

Bible & Faith

The Intersection of Catholic Faith and Social Justice Movements

7 min readRead article
Catholic Living

Catholic Social Justice Living Faith Action Compassion: Compassion

11 min readRead article
Catholic Living

Catholic Social Justice: Living Your Faith Through Action and

12 min readRead article
Explore All Articles