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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 8:11 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land--not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/amos/8-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/30_Amo_08_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Amos 8:11 - The Basket of Ripe Fruit" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land--not a 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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="/ad11.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/8-10.htm" title="Amos 8:10">◄</a> Amos 8:11 <a href="/amos/8-12.htm" title="Amos 8:12">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/amos/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/amos/8.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220The days are coming,&#8221 declares the Sovereign LORD, &#8220when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/nlt/amos/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/esv/amos/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/bsb/amos/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/kjv/amos/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: <a href="/nkjv/amos/8.htm">New King James Version</a> “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/nasb_/amos/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/nasb/amos/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Behold, days are coming,&#8221 declares the Lord GOD, &#8220When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/nasb77/amos/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/lsb/amos/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Behold, days are coming,” declares Lord Yahweh, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of Yahweh. <a href="/amp/amos/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “When I will send hunger over the land, Not hunger for bread or a thirst for water, But rather [a hunger] for hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/csb/amos/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Look, the days are coming — this is the declaration of the Lord GOD — when I will send a famine through the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/hcsb/amos/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Hear this! The days are coming— this is the declaration of the Lord GOD— when I will send a famine through the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/asv/amos/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. <a href="/cev/amos/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I, the LORD, also promise you a terrible shortage, but not of food and water. You will hunger and thirst to hear my message. <a href="/erv/amos/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/gwt/amos/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The days are going to come, declares the Almighty LORD, when I will send a famine throughout the land. It won't be an ordinary famine or drought. Instead, there will be a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/gnt/amos/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "The time is coming when I will send famine on the land. People will be hungry, but not for bread; they will be thirsty, but not for water. They will hunger and thirst for a message from the LORD. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. <a href="/isv/amos/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Look! The days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "when I will send a famine throughout the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water— but rather a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/msb/amos/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land?not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/net/amos/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Be certain of this, the time is coming," says the sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a shortage of food or water but an end to divine revelation! <a href="/nheb/amos/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Look, the days come," says the LORD, "that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the LORD. <a href="/wbt/amos/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: <a href="/web/amos/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Behold, the days come,” says the Lord Yahweh, “that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing Yahweh’s words. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/amos/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Behold, days are coming,” "" A declaration of Lord YHWH, "" “And I have sent a famine into the land, "" Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, "" But of hearing the words of YHWH. <a href="/ylt/amos/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah. <a href="/slt/amos/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Behold, the days coming, says the Lord Jehovah, and I sent famine into the land; not a famine for bread, and not a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/amos/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Behold the days come, saith the Lord, and I will send forth a famine into the land: not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. <a href="/cpdv/amos/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Behold, the days pass, says the Lord, and I will send a famine on the earth: not a famine of bread, nor of thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord. <a href="/nabre/amos/8.htm">New American Bible</a> See, days are coming—oracle of the Lord GOD— when I will send a famine upon the land: Not a hunger for bread, or a thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the LORD. <a href="/nrsvce/amos/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/amos/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the LORD; <a href="/hpbt/amos/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Behold, days are coming, says LORD JEHOVAH, and I shall send a famine in the earth, not a hungering for bread and not a thirsting for water, but for hearing the word of LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/amos/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/sep/amos/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send forth a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. <a href="/parallel/amos/8-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=1444" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/amos/8.htm">The Basket of Ripe Fruit</a> …10I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. 11<a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·’îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">are coming,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3069.htm" title="3069: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- YHWH. A variation of Yhovah.">GOD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: wə·hiš·laḥ·tî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">when I will send</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">a famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on the land—</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.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">a famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lal·le·ḥem (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">of bread</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/6772.htm" title="6772: ṣā·mā (N-ms) -- Thirst. From tsame'; thirst.">or a thirst</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: lam·ma·yim (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">for water,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">but a famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: liš·mō·a‘ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">of hearing</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD.</a> 12People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a> But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” <a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a> Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. <a href="/john/4-13.htm">John 4:13-14</a> Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” <a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a> Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. <a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a> On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” <a href="/romans/10-17.htm">Romans 10:17</a> Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a> Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12-14</a> Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a> For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. <a href="/revelation/7-16.htm">Revelation 7:16</a> ‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ <a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-3</a> “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. <a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10-12</a> For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. / And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” <a href="/jeremiah/15-16.htm">Jeremiah 15:16</a> Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. <a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Ezekiel 7:26</a> Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders. <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a> My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Behold, the days come, said the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:but.<a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">1 Samuel 3:1</a> And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.<a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6,15</a> And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets… <a href="/psalms/74-9.htm">Psalm 74:9</a> We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-30.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Food</a> <a href="/amos/8-5.htm">Great</a> <a href="/daniel/10-9.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Need</a> <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/hosea/2-3.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/amos/5-13.htm">Times</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Water</a> <a href="/amos/7-16.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/9-8.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-7.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/amos/9-7.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/amos/9-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/amos/8-13.htm">Need</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-16.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/amos/9-8.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/amos/8-13.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/micah/7-20.htm">Times</a> <a href="/amos/8-13.htm">Water</a> <a href="/micah/2-6.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 8</div>1. <a href="/amos/8-1.htm">By a basket of summer fruit is shown the approach of Israel's end.</a> 4. <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Oppression is reproved.</a> 11. <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">A famine of the word of God threatened.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/amos/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/amos/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/amos/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD This phrase introduces a prophetic announcement, emphasizing the certainty and divine authority behind the message. The use of "Behold" serves as a call to attention, indicating the importance of what follows. The phrase "the days are coming" is often used in prophetic literature to signal future events that are part of God's sovereign plan. This is similar to other prophetic declarations found in <a href="/jeremiah/7-32.htm">Jeremiah 7:32</a> and <a href="/isaiah/39-6.htm">Isaiah 39:6</a>, where impending judgment or significant change is foretold. The title "Lord GOD" underscores the authority and sovereignty of God, reminding the audience of His ultimate control over history and events.when I will send a famine on the land This phrase indicates that the coming event is a direct act of God, not a natural occurrence. In the ancient Near East, famines were often seen as divine judgments, as seen in <a href="/genesis/41.htm">Genesis 41</a> with the famine in Egypt. The "land" refers to Israel, highlighting that this judgment is specifically targeted at God's chosen people. The concept of famine as a divine tool is consistent with the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Deuteronomy 28:23-24</a>, where disobedience to God's commands results in agricultural and economic hardship.not a famine of bread or a thirst for water Here, the prophecy distinguishes the nature of the coming famine. Unlike typical famines that involve physical deprivation, this famine is metaphorical. Bread and water are basic necessities for physical survival, and their mention underscores the severity of the deprivation that will be experienced. This distinction sets the stage for understanding the deeper spiritual implications of the prophecy, as physical needs are often used in scripture to illustrate spiritual truths, as seen in Jesus' temptation in <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a>, where He quotes <a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a> about living by every word from the mouth of God.but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD This phrase reveals the true nature of the famine: a spiritual deprivation. The "words of the LORD" refer to divine revelation, guidance, and instruction, which were delivered through prophets and the Law. The absence of God's word signifies a withdrawal of His presence and guidance, a severe judgment for a people who have repeatedly ignored His commands. This concept is echoed in <a href="/1_samuel/3.htm">1 Samuel 3:1</a>, where the word of the LORD was rare, indicating a period of spiritual barrenness. The famine of hearing God's word highlights the importance of spiritual nourishment and the dire consequences of its absence, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>), who provides the living water and bread of life (<a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10</a>, <a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/amos.htm">Amos</a> A prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver messages to the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies often focused on social justice and divine judgment. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The northern kingdom, which was experiencing prosperity but also moral and spiritual decay. Amos directed his prophecies towards their injustices and idolatry. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The Lord GOD</a> The sovereign deity of Israel, who speaks through Amos to warn of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience and neglect of His word. 4. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> Typically understood as a severe shortage of food, but in this context, it symbolizes a lack of spiritual nourishment and guidance from God. 5. <a href="/topical/h/hearing_the_words_of_the_lord.htm">Hearing the Words of the LORD</a> Refers to the reception and understanding of God's messages, which were delivered through His prophets.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_hunger.htm">Spiritual Hunger</a> Just as physical hunger drives us to seek food, spiritual hunger should drive us to seek God's word. We must prioritize spiritual nourishment in our lives. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_neglect.htm">Consequences of Neglect</a> Ignoring God's word leads to spiritual famine. We must be diligent in studying and applying Scripture to avoid spiritual drought. <a href="/topical/v/value_of_prophetic_voice.htm">Value of Prophetic Voice</a> The absence of God's word is a severe judgment. We should cherish and heed the teachings of Scripture and those who faithfully proclaim it. <a href="/topical/a/active_listening.htm">Active Listening</a> Hearing God's word requires more than passive listening; it demands active engagement and obedience. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_spiritual_famine.htm">Preparation for Spiritual Famine</a> In times of spiritual abundance, we should store up God's word in our hearts to withstand future challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 8</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_amos_8_11-12's_famine.htm">If Amos 8:11–12 prophesies a famine for God’s word, where is the historical or archaeological evidence of such a widespread spiritual drought? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_'famine_of_hearing'.htm">What does "Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_secrets_belong_solely_to_the_lord.htm">What does 'Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_bioethics.htm">What role did Egyptians play in biblical narratives?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - This shall be the bitterness at the end; they had rejected the warnings of the prophets (<a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Amos 7:12</a>, etc.); now the Word of God and the light of his teaching should fail them. Famine. When the light of God's revelation is withdrawn, their longing for the Word, however sore and great, shall remain unsatisfied, like that of Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a>). They may grieve like the psalmist, "We see not our signs; there is no more any prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth how long" (<a href="/psalms/74-9.htm">Psalm 74:9</a>); but it will be in vain (see a similar punishment threatened, <a href="/lamentations/2-9.htm">Lamentations 2:9</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Ezekiel 7:26</a>; <a href="/micah/3-7.htm">Micah 3:7</a>). <a href="/commentaries/amos/8-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Behold! הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ (hin·nêh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! The days יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day are coming,” בָּאִ֗ים (bā·’îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go declares נְאֻם֙ (nə·’um) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> An oracle the Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> The Lord GOD, יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH “when I will send וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֥י (wə·hiš·laḥ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out a famine רָעָ֖ב (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger on the land— בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no a famine רָעָ֤ב (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger of bread לַלֶּ֙חֶם֙ (lal·le·ḥem) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain or a thirst צָמָ֣א (ṣā·mā) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6772.htm">Strong's 6772: </a> Thirst for water, לַמַּ֔יִם (lam·ma·yim) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen but [a famine] כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction of hearing לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ (liš·mō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently the words דִּבְרֵ֥י (diḇ·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 8:11 Behold the days come says the Lord (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/8-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 8:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 8:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/8-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 8:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 8:12" /></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>