Amos – Chapter 7

Old Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 7 of Amos begins: "These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter rain, and lo, it…" The chapter centers on Amos and Jacob. Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter rain, and lo, it was the latter rain after the king's mowing.

2And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, I said: O Lord God, be merciful, I beseech thee: who shall raise up Jacob, for he is very little?

3The Lord had pity upon this: It shall not be, said the Lord.

4These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the Lord called for judgment unto fire, and it devoured the great deep, and ate up a part at the same time.

5And I said: O Lord God, cease, I beseech thee, who shall raise up Jacob, for he is a little one?

6The Lord had pity upon this. Yea this also shall not be, said the Lord God.

7These things the Lord shewed to me: and behold the Lord was standing upon a plastered wall, and in his hand a mason's trowel.

8And the Lord said to me: What seest thou, Amos? And I said: A mason's trowel. And the Lord said: Behold, I will lay down the trowel in the midst of my people Israel. I will plaster them over no more.

9And the high places of the idol shall be thrown down, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste: and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

10And Amasias the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: Amos hath rebelled against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

11For thus saith Amos: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall be carried away captive out of their own land.

12And Amasias said to Amos: Thou seer, go, flee away into the land of Juda: and eat bread there, and prophesy there.

13But prophesy not again any more in Bethel: because it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the house of the kingdom.

14And Amos answered and said to Amasias: I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet: but I am a herdsman plucking wild figs.

15And the Lord took me when I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.

16And now hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, thou shalt not prophesy against Israel, and thou shalt not drop thy word upon the house of the idol.

17Therefore thus saith the Lord: Thy wife shall play the harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be measured by a line: and thou shalt die in a polluted land, and Israel shall go into captivity out of their land.

Important Verses in Amos 7

These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter rain, and lo, it was the latter rain after the king's mowing.

Amos 7:1

These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the Lord called for judgment unto fire, and it devoured the great deep, and ate up a part at the same time.

Amos 7:4

These things the Lord shewed to me: and behold the Lord was standing upon a plastered wall, and in his hand a mason's trowel.

Amos 7:7

Therefore thus saith the Lord: Thy wife shall play the harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be measured by a line: and thou shalt die in a polluted land, and Israel shall go into captivity out of their land.

Amos 7:17

Historical Context

Amos belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the wealthy northern kingdom, warned that worship without justice is worthless. Chapter 7 of 9 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Amos and Jacob appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the…" It concludes: "Therefore thus saith the Lord: Thy wife shall play the harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by…" 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

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter rain, and lo, it was the latter rain…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 355). Here, Catholic social teaching echoes Amos's call for justice (CIC 2419-2425). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

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 7 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

People in This Chapter

Amos5 mentionsJacob2 mentions

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Amos Chapter 7 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Amos Chapter 7. At the moral level, repentance and the mercy of God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 461).

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 791).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amos Chapter 7 about?

Amos 7 contains 17 verses. It opens with "These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the…" and closes with "Therefore thus saith the Lord: Thy wife shall play the harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles of judgment.

What is a key verse in Amos 7?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "These things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the locust was formed in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter rain, and lo, it was the latter rain after the king's…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Amos Chapter 7?

This chapter mentions Amos, Jacob.

Who wrote Amos and when?

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

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