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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Amos 7:14 "I was not a prophet," Amos replied, "nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/amos/7-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/30_Amo_07_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Amos 7:14 - Amaziah Accuses Amos" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I was not a prophet, Amos replied, nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/amos/7-14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/amos/7-14.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/amos/">Amos</a> > <a href="/amos/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 14</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/amos/7-13.htm" title="Amos 7:13">◄</a> Amos 7:14 <a href="/amos/7-15.htm" title="Amos 7:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/amos/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/amos/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Amos answered Amaziah, &#8220I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/amos/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/amos/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/amos/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/amos/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I <i>was</i> no prophet, neither <i>was</i> I a prophet's son; but I <i>was</i> an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/amos/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I <i>was</i> no prophet, Nor <i>was</i> I a son of a prophet, But I <i>was</i> a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/amos/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/amos/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Amos replied to Amaziah, &#8220I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/amos/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/amos/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/amos/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet [by profession], nor am I a prophet’s son; I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/amos/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Amos answered Amaziah, “I was not a prophet or the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman, and I took care of sycamore figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/amos/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Amos answered Amaziah, &#8220I was not a prophet or the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman, and I took care of sycamore figs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/amos/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/amos/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I answered: I'm not a prophet! And I wasn't trained to be a prophet. I am a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/amos/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a dresser of sycomore trees:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/amos/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Amos responded, "I'm not a prophet, and I'm not a disciple of the prophets. I am a rancher and a grower of figs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/amos/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Amos answered, "I am not the kind of prophet who prophesies for pay. I am a herdsman, and I take care of fig trees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/amos/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Amos replied in answer to Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor am I a prophet's son, for I have been shepherding and picking the fruit of sycamore trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/amos/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/amos/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Amos replied to Amaziah, "I was not a prophet by profession. No, I was a herdsman who also took care of sycamore fig trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/amos/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/amos/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/amos/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/amos/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Amos answers and says to Amaziah, “I [am] no prophet, nor [am] I a prophet’s son, but I [am] a herdsman, and a cultivator of sycamores,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/amos/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Amos answereth and saith unto Amaziah, 'I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son am I, but a herdsman I am, and a cultivator of sycamores,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/amos/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Amos will answer and say to Amaziah, I am no prophet, and I not the son of a prophet; for I a herdsman, and gathering figs of the sycamores.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/amos/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/amos/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Amos responded, and he said to Amasias, “I am not a prophet, and I am not the son of a prophet, but I am a herdsman plucking from wild fig trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/amos/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Amos answered Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor do I belong to a company of prophets. I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamores,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/amos/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/amos/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, I am not a prophet, neither a prophet's son; but I was a shepherd and a gatherer of wild figs;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/amos/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Amos answered and said to Amutsia: “I have not been a Prophet, neither a son of a Prophet, but I am a Shepherd and collector of wild figs<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/amos/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah: 'I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdman, and a dresser of sycamore-trees;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/amos/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Amos answered, and said to Amasias, I was not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/amos/7-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=1268" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/amos/7.htm">Amaziah Accuses Amos</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>But never prophesy at Bethel again, because it is the sanctuary of the king and the temple of the kingdom.” <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">was not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: nā·ḇî (N-ms) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">a prophet,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5986.htm" title="5986: ‘ā·mō·ws (N-proper-ms) -- An Israelite. prophet. From amac; burdensome; Amos, An Israelite. prophet.">Amos</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/558.htm" title="558: ’ă·maṣ·yāh (N-proper-ms) -- Or mamatsyahuw; from 'amats and Yahh; strength of Jah; Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇen- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">“nor was I the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: nā·ḇî (N-ms) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">of a prophet;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">rather,</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/951.htm" title="951: ḇō·w·qêr (N-ms) -- A herdsman. Properly, active participle from baqar as denominative from baqar; a cattle-tender.">was a herdsman</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1103.htm" title="1103: ū·ḇō·w·lês (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- To gather figs. A primitive root; to pinch sycamore figs.">a tender</a> <a href="/hebrew/8256.htm" title="8256: šiq·mîm (N-fp) -- Sycamore tree. Or shiqmah; of uncertain derivation; a sycamore.">of sycamore-fig trees.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Jeremiah 1:6-7</a></span><br />“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11-12</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11-12</a></span><br />And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">1 Kings 19:19-21</a></span><br />So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Matthew 4:18-22</a></span><br />As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-16.htm">Mark 1:16-20</a></span><br />As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-1.htm">Luke 5:1-11</a></span><br />On one occasion, while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret with the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, / He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. / Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put out a little from shore. And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-43.htm">John 1:43-51</a></span><br />The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” / Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. / Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-13.htm">Acts 4:13</a></span><br />When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">1 Corinthians 1:26-29</a></span><br />Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a></span><br />Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Philippians 3:4-8</a></span><br />though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5-8</a></span><br />Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” / Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/20-9.htm">Jeremiah 20:9</a></span><br />If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-3.htm">Ezekiel 2:3-7</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:</p><p class="hdg">neither.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">1 Kings 20:35</a></b></br> And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/2-3.htm">2 Kings 2:3,5,7</a></b></br> And the sons of the prophets that <i>were</i> at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know <i>it</i>; hold ye your peace… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">2 Kings 4:38</a></b></br> And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and <i>there was</i> a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets <i>were</i> sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.</p><p class="hdg">an herdman.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/1-1.htm">Amos 1:1</a></b></br> The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/13-5.htm">Zechariah 13:5</a></b></br> But he shall say, I <i>am</i> no prophet, I <i>am</i> an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a></b></br> But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;</p><p class="hdg">a gatherer.</p><p class="hdg">sycamore fruit.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Amaziah</a> <a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Amazi'ah</a> <a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Amos</a> <a href="/amos/3-2.htm">Care</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Dresser</a> <a href="/amos/5-16.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-17.htm">Figs</a> <a href="/amos/6-12.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-9.htm">Gatherer</a> <a href="/amos/7-13.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-21.htm">Prophet's</a> <a href="/amos/3-12.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-10.htm">Sycamore</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-27.htm">Sycamore-Fig</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-10.htm">Sycamores</a> <a href="/psalms/78-47.htm">Sycamore-Trees</a> <a href="/psalms/78-47.htm">Sycomore</a> <a href="/psalms/78-47.htm">Sycomore-Trees</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/12-21.htm">Amaziah</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-21.htm">Amazi'ah</a> <a href="/amos/8-2.htm">Amos</a> <a href="/micah/2-8.htm">Care</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Dresser</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-5.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/nahum/3-12.htm">Figs</a> <a href="/amos/8-1.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm">Gatherer</a> <a href="/amos/7-15.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/micah/2-6.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Prophet's</a> <a href="/micah/5-4.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/luke/17-6.htm">Sycamore</a> <a href="/luke/19-4.htm">Sycamore-Fig</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-27.htm">Sycamores</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-27.htm">Sycamore-Trees</a> <a href="/luke/19-4.htm">Sycomore</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-27.htm">Sycomore-Trees</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/7-1.htm">The judgments of the grasshoppers,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/7-4.htm">and of the fire are diverted by the prayer of Amos.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/7-7.htm">By the wall of a plumb line is signified the rejection of Israel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/7-10.htm">Amaziah complains of Amos.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/7-14.htm">Amos shows his calling</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/amos/7-16.htm">and Amaziah's judgment.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/amos/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>I was not a prophet</b><br />The Hebrew word for "prophet" is "נָבִיא" (navi). Amos begins by clarifying his identity, emphasizing that he did not come from a prophetic lineage or school. This statement underscores the divine calling that transcends human qualifications or expectations. In the ancient Near East, prophets were often seen as part of a professional class, but Amos's declaration highlights that God's call can come to anyone, regardless of their background.<p><b>nor was I the son of a prophet</b><br />This phrase further emphasizes Amos's outsider status. In ancient Israel, being the "son of a prophet" could imply being part of a prophetic guild or community. Amos's assertion that he was not a prophet's son reinforces the idea that his authority and message come directly from God, not from human institutions or traditions. This serves as a reminder that God often chooses the unlikely and the humble to fulfill His purposes.<p><b>rather, I was a herdsman</b><br />The term "herdsman" is translated from the Hebrew word "בּוֹקֵר" (boqer), which refers to someone who tends cattle or sheep. This occupation was considered humble and ordinary, yet it is precisely from this simple background that God called Amos. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God chooses individuals from modest beginnings, such as David the shepherd or the disciples who were fishermen, to carry out His divine plans.<p><b>and a tender of sycamore-fig trees</b><br />The phrase "tender of sycamore-fig trees" comes from the Hebrew "בּוֹלֵס שִׁקְמִים" (boles shiqmim). The sycamore-fig tree was common in the region and required a specific process of cultivation. This detail about Amos's occupation provides insight into his life and the agrarian society of ancient Israel. It also symbolizes the nurturing and attentive care that Amos would bring to his prophetic mission, tending to the spiritual needs of Israel with the same diligence he applied to his work with the trees.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/amos/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">I was</span> . . .--An interesting biographical touch. Prophecy, like other occupations, tended to form a hereditary guild, but Amos was not by birth a prophet. The word for "gatherer" is rendered in the LXX. and Vulg. "nipper," or "pincher." There was a custom mentioned in Theophrastus, <span class= "ital">Hist. Plant.,</span> iv. 2, Pliny, <span class= "ital">Hist. Nat.,</span> xiii. 14, of pinching or scratching the mulberry-fig in order to make it ripen. But it is very doubtful whether this is the meaning of the Hebrew word here, which is nowhere else employed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - The prophet, undaunted by Amaziah's threats, in simple language declares that he does not practise prophecying as a profession or to gain a livelihood, but in obedience to the voice of God. The exercise of the prophetical office was restricted neither to sex nor rank. There were many prophetesses in Israel, <span class="accented">e.g.</span> Deborah (<a href="/judges/4.htm">Judges 4</a>.), Huldah (<a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">2 Kings 22:14</a>), Noadiah (<a href="/nehemiah/6-14.htm">Nehemiah 6:14</a>); and besides a large number of nameless prophets there are twenty-three whose names are preserved in Holy Writ, omitting those whose writings have come down to us (Ladd, 'Doctrine of Scripture,' 1:117, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">A prophet's son;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> brought up in the schools of the prophets, the pupils of which were called "sons of the prophets" (see <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">1 Kings 20:35</a>; <a href="/2_kings/2-5.htm">2 Kings 2:5</a>). Amos was neither self-commissioned nor trained in any human institution. <span class="cmt_word">A herdman</span> (<span class="accented">boger</span>); usually "a cowherd;" here "a shepherd;" <span class="greek">αἰπόλος</span> (Septuagint). <span class="cmt_word">A gatherer of sycomore fruit.</span> The phrase, <span class="accented">boles</span> <span class="accented">shiqmim</span>, may mean either one who plucks mulberry figs for his own sustenance, or one who cultivates them for others. The latter is probably the meaning of the term here. The Septuagint rendering, <span class="greek">κνίζων συκάμινα</span>, "pricking sycamore fruit," and that of the Vulgate, <span class="accented">vellicans sycomoros</span>, indicate the artificial means for ripening the fruit, which was done by scraping, scratching, or puncturing it, as is sometimes done to the figs of commerce. As the tree bore many crops of fruit in the year, it would afford constant employment to the dresser (see 'Dict. of the Bible,' 3. p. 1394; 'Bible Educator,' 4, p. 343). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/amos/7-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“I</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹ֔כִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a prophet,”</span><br /><span class="heb">נָבִ֣יא</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spokesman, speaker, prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Amos</span><br /><span class="heb">עָמוֹס֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·mō·ws)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5986.htm">Strong's 5986: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amos -- an Israelite prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֤עַן</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“[nor was I] the son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶן־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a prophet;</span><br /><span class="heb">נָבִ֖יא</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spokesman, speaker, prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rather,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹ֑כִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was a herdsman</span><br /><span class="heb">בוֹקֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇō·w·qêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_951.htm">Strong's 951: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cattle-tender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and]</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹ֖כִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a tender</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבוֹלֵ֥ס</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇō·w·lês)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1103.htm">Strong's 1103: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pinch sycamore figs</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of sycamore-fig trees.</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁקְמִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(šiq·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8256.htm">Strong's 8256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sycamore tree</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/amos/7-14.htm">Amos 7:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/amos/7-14.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 7:14 Then Amos answered Amaziah I was no (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/7-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 7:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 7:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/7-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 7:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 7:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>