Visions of Locusts, Fire, and the Plumb Line
Amos 7:1-9
Amo.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- הראני: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- יוצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- בתחלת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הלקש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- לקש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- גזי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joel 1:4 (verbal): Lists successive insect pests (palmerworm, locust, cankerworm, caterpillar) that devour the crops — closely parallels Amos’ vision of locusts consuming the early and later growth.
- Exodus 10:12-15 (thematic): The Egyptian plague of locusts is a divine instrument of judgment that covers the land and destroys vegetation, paralleling Amos’ locust-vision as a sign of God’s judgment.
- Joel 2:25 (thematic): Speaks of the years eaten by the locust and God’s restoration — frames locusts as an agent of divine judgment and subsequent hope, thematically linked to Amos’ locust-vision.
- Deuteronomy 28:38 (thematic): Within the covenant curses locusts consume the produce of the field; parallels Amos’ depiction of locusts as a punitive disaster tied to divine retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, a swarm of locusts at the beginning of the springing up of the late growth, and behold—another swarm after the king’s mowing.
- Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, he formed locusts at the beginning of the late growth; and behold, the late growth after the king’s mow.
Amo.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- כלה: ADV
- לאכול: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עשב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- סלח: VERB,qal,imper,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- קטן: ADJ,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Jonah 3:10 (verbal): God 'relented' (נחם) and did not carry out threatened judgment after Nineveh's repentance—same verb and motif of God withholding punishment.
- Exodus 32:14 (verbal): After Moses' intercession over the golden calf 'the LORD relented' (נחם); parallels Amos' pattern of prophetic plea leading God to change his intention.
- Genesis 6:6 (verbal): God 'repented' (נחם) that he had made humankind—uses the same language of divine regret/relenting prior to judgment.
- 1 Samuel 15:11 (verbal): The LORD 'regretted' (נחם) making Saul king—another instance of the same root describing a change in divine purpose in response to human action.
- Hosea 11:8 (thematic): God's anguished compassion for Israel ('How can I give you up?') echoes the merciful/pitiable stance toward 'Jacob' in Amos, emphasizing pity for the smallness/vulnerability of the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, if they finished to eat the grass of the land, that I pleaded, “O Lord GOD, forgive—who will rise for Jacob? For he is small.”
- And when they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said, “O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Who can stand? For Jacob is small.”
Amo.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נחם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:14 (verbal): Uses the same root of 'נחם'—God 'relented' or 'repented' after Moses' intercession, canceling the threatened judgment (direct verbal and situational parallel).
- Jonah 3:10 (verbal): After the Ninevites repented, 'the LORD relented from the calamity'—same verb and motif of God withdrawing a threatened disaster in response to repentance/intercession.
- Genesis 6:6 (verbal): Reports that 'the LORD regretted' making humanity—another instance of divine regret/relenting (נחם) describing God's changing course in response to human condition.
- Jeremiah 18:7-10 (thematic): Articulates the principle that God may relent from declared judgment if a nation repents (conditional pattern underlying Amos' vision where threatened punishment is withdrawn).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD relented concerning this; “It shall not come to pass,” says the LORD.
- And the LORD relented concerning this: “This shall not be,” said the LORD.
Amo.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- הראני: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- תהום: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ואכלה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- החלק: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 7:11 (verbal): Both Amos and Genesis use the phrase 'the great deep' (tehom) and portray God unleashing the depths as an agent of catastrophic judgment (Gen: 'all the fountains of the great deep were broken up').
- Psalm 104:6-7 (thematic): Describes God covering the earth with the deep and then rebuking the waters so they flee—parallels Amos' theme of divine control over the waters/the deep and their role in judgment on the land.
- Nahum 1:6 (thematic): Portrays God’s wrath as consuming fire ('his anger is poured out like fire') that breaks and destroys—echoing Amos’ image of a summoned judgment by fire that would devour the deep and the land.
- Joel 2:30-31 (thematic): Joins Amos in prophetic imagery of cosmic and fiery signs of judgment ('blood, fire, and pillars of smoke'), paralleling the view of fire as God's instrument that threatens to consume the earth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, the LORD called for fire, and it devoured the great deep and consumed the land’s portion.
- Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, the LORD called for a judgment by fire, and the fire devoured the great deep and would have consumed the land’s portion.
Amo.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- קטן: ADJ,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Amos 7:3 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same vision-cycle: God pronounces judgment (locusts/fire) and then 'repents' or withdraws the calamity after the prophet's intercession—same pattern of announcement and reversal.
- Jonah 3:10 (thematic): After a prophetic threat of destruction, God relents when the people repent—same dynamic of threatened judgment followed by divine forbearance.
- Jeremiah 18:7-10 (thematic): Explicit statement of the conditional and changeable character of divine decrees: if a nation repents, God will relent—parallels Amos' pattern of warning and withdrawal.
- Exodus 32:14 (verbal): Uses the same concept/verb of God 'repenting' (נחם) of intended harm after intercession—an earlier scriptural instance of divine relenting.
- Isaiah 10:20-22 (thematic): Speaks of Israel/Jacob reduced to a remnant and the nation's smallness before restoration—resonates with Amos' statement that 'Jacob is small.'
Alternative generated candidates
- And I pleaded, “O Lord GOD, cease! Who will rise for Jacob? For he is small.”
- And I said, “O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! How can Jacob stand? For he is small.”
Amo.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נחם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- גם: ADV
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 7:3 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same prophetic sequence—earlier vision ends with the same formula: 'And the LORD repented concerning this: It shall not be,' showing repeated divine reversal language.
- Jonah 3:10 (verbal): God 'repented' after Nineveh's repentance; uses near-identical language about God relenting from threatened judgment, a close verbal and thematic parallel.
- Jeremiah 18:7-10 (thematic): States the principle that God may relent of threatened disaster if a nation repents or changes course—theme of divine reversal in response to intercession/repentance.
- Exodus 32:14 (verbal): After Moses' intercession God 'repented' of the evil he had spoken against Israel; similar verb and context of prophetic/human entreaty leading to reversal.
- 1 Samuel 15:11 (thematic): God expresses regret over making Saul king—uses language of 'repenting' or being grieved, reflecting the theme of divine change of mind regarding judgment or choice.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD relented concerning this also; “This too shall not be,” says the LORD.
- And the LORD relented concerning this also: “This also shall not be,” said the LORD God.
Amo.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- הראני: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- נצב: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- חומת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- אנך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובידו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אנך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 7:8 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same vision; repeats the plumbline image and records Yahweh’s explanation that he will set a plumbline among Israel.
- Isaiah 28:17 (verbal): Uses the measuring‑line/plumbline motif ('I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line'), linking divine judgment/standard with the same instrument imagery.
- Zechariah 2:1–2 (thematic): Visionary scene of 'a man with a measuring line in his hand' surveying Jerusalem — same measuring‑line motif to mark out or assess the city/people.
- Zechariah 1:16 (thematic): Speaks of a 'surveyor's line' stretched over Jerusalem; uses the line/survey image to signify God's action toward the city, echoing Amos’s plumbline as divine measurement.
- Ezekiel 40:3 (structural): Ezekiel's vision includes a man with a measuring reed/line and detailed measurements of the temple area; parallels the prophetic visionary use of measuring instruments to reveal divine judgment/ordering.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus he showed me: behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made true by a plumb-line, and in his hand was a plumb-line.
- Thus he showed me: behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made plumb, and in his hand was a plumbline.
Amo.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- עמוס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אנך: PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- שם: ADV
- אנך: PRON,1,sg
- בקרב: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אוסיף: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- עבור: PREP
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Amos 7:7 (verbal): Immediate context: the preceding verse describes the same vision—the LORD standing by a wall with a plumbline—so Amos 7:8 continues and restates the plumbline image and its interpretive word of judgment.
- Isaiah 28:17 (verbal): Uses the same measuring imagery—'the line' and 'the plummet'—to announce divine judgment and the establishment of justice and righteousness, echoing the plumbline motif of testing and judgment.
- Zechariah 2:1-2 (structural): A vision of a man with a measuring line/cord who measures Jerusalem; parallels the motif of God measuring/assessing His people or holy city with a line as a divine act of setting boundaries and judgment.
- Ezekiel 40:3-5 (structural): Describes a visionary measuring of the temple/structures with a measuring rod and a line; relates to the theme of divine measurement and orderly assessment found in Amos' plumbline vision.
- Revelation 11:1 (thematic): John is given a measuring reed to measure the temple—an apocalyptic use of measurement imagery to signify God's inspection, protection, and forthcoming judgment, resonant with Amos' plumbline as sign of judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” and I said, “A plumb-line.” Then the LORD said, “Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not pass by them any more.
- And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumbline.” Then the LORD said, “Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel; I will spare them no more.
Amo.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונשמו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- במות: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישחק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ומקדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחרבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
- וקמתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,comm,sg
- על: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (verbal): Describes Jeroboam's establishment of altars/centres of worship (Bethel and Dan) — background for Amos' denunciation of 'altars of Israel' associated with the house of Jeroboam.
- 1 Kings 14:10-11 (allusion): Ahijah's prophecy against the house of Jeroboam — 'I will bring calamity on the house of Jeroboam' — parallels Amos' announcement that God will rise against Jeroboam's house with the sword.
- Hosea 10:8 (thematic): Foretells destruction of 'high places' and idolatrous altars in Israel as divine judgment, echoing Amos' prediction that Israel's sanctuaries/altars will be destroyed.
- Micah 3:12 (thematic): Pronounces ruin on Zion and its institutions because of leaders' sins; shares Amos' theme of impending catastrophic judgment on Israel's religious and political structures.
- 2 Kings 23:15-20 (thematic): Josiah's removal/destruction of high places and altars illustrates the concrete fate of illicit sanctuaries — a post facto fulfillment-type parallel to Amos' predicted destruction of Israel's altars.
Alternative generated candidates
- The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”
- The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, the LORD was preparing a swarm of locusts at the beginning of the late growth; and behold, they came in after the king's mowing. And it came to pass, if they finished eating the grass of the land, then I said, "O Lord GOD, relent! O Lord, forgive—who can bear Jacob? He is so small." And the LORD relented concerning this: "It shall not be," said the LORD. Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, the LORD called for judgment by fire; and it consumed the great deep and devoured the land. And I said, "O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! How can Jacob stand? He is so small." And the LORD relented concerning this also: "This too shall not be," said the LORD God. Thus the LORD God showed me: behold, the LORD stood by a wall built true with a plumb line, and in his hand was a plumb line. And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the LORD said, "Behold, I will set a plumb line among my people Israel; I will pass by them no more.
The high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."