Introduction to Amos 1:1
Amos 1:1 serves as a superscription that introduces the prophetic book, providing details about the prophet’s identity, occupation, geographical origin, historical context, and the timing of his vision. The verse employs construct chains (סְמִיכוּת), which play a crucial role in linking Amos to his prophetic message, his occupation, and the historical setting. The phrase “דִּבְרֵי עָמֹ֔וס” (“the words of Amos”) is an example of a construct phrase that establishes authorship and authority. Furthermore, the reference to “שְׁנָתַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י הָרָֽעַשׁ” (“two years before the earthquake”) anchors the prophecy in a specific historical event.
This study will analyze the construct chain structure, the role of relative clauses, and the theological significance of prophetic authorship and historical anchoring.
דִּבְרֵ֣י עָמֹ֔וס אֲשֶׁר־הָיָ֥ה בַנֹּקְדִ֖ים מִתְּקֹ֑ועַ אֲשֶׁר֩ חָזָ֨ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל בִּימֵ֣י עֻזִּיָּ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֗ה וּבִימֵ֞י יָרָבְעָ֤ם בֶּן־יֹואָשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל שְׁנָתַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י הָרָֽעַשׁ׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. דִּבְרֵ֣י עָמֹ֔וס (divrei Amos)
– Root: דָּבָר (“word, speech, message”)
– Form: Masculine plural construct noun with a proper noun
– Translation: “The words of Amos”
– Function: A construct chain linking Amos to his prophetic message, emphasizing his authorship and authority.
2. אֲשֶׁר־הָיָ֥ה בַנֹּקְדִ֖ים (asher hayah ban-noqedim)
– Root: נֹקֵד (“shepherd, herdsman”)
– Form: Masculine plural noun with the definite article
– Translation: “Who was among the herdsmen”
– Function: Identifies Amos’s profession and social status, indicating his humble background.
3. מִתְּקֹ֑ועַ (mi-Teko’a)
– Root: תְּקֹועַ (“Tekoa”)
– Form: Proper noun with preposition מִן (“from”)
– Translation: “From Tekoa”
– Function: Establishes Amos’s hometown, placing him in the southern kingdom of Judah.
4. אֲשֶׁר֩ חָזָ֨ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (asher ḥazah al-Yisra’el)
– Root: חָזָה (“to see, to prophesy”)
– Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular
– Translation: “Which he saw concerning Israel”
– Function: Relative clause defining Amos’s prophetic vision, directing it specifically to the northern kingdom of Israel.
5. בִּימֵ֣י עֻזִּיָּ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֗ה (bimei Uzziyah melekh Yehudah)
– Root: יוֹם (“day, time”)
– Form: Masculine plural construct noun with proper noun
– Translation: “In the days of Uzziah, king of Judah”
– Function: Establishes historical context, dating Amos’s ministry.
6. וּבִימֵ֞י יָרָבְעָ֤ם בֶּן־יֹואָשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (uvimei Yarov’am ben-Yo’ash melekh Yisra’el)
– Translation: “And in the days of Jeroboam, son of Joash, king of Israel”
– Function: Further narrows the timeframe, showing Amos prophesied during the reign of both southern and northern kings.
7. שְׁנָתַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י הָרָֽעַשׁ (shenatayim lifnei hara’ash)
– Root: רָעַשׁ (“earthquake”)
– Form: Masculine singular noun
– Translation: “Two years before the earthquake”
– Function: Provides a specific historical marker, making this one of the few prophecies tied to a natural disaster.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Construct Chain in דִּבְרֵ֣י עָמֹ֔וס
– Construct Form: The plural noun דִּבְרֵ֣י (“words”) appears in construct state, linking it to עָמֹ֔וס (“Amos”).
– Function: Indicates possession or authorship, affirming Amos as the origin of the prophetic message.
The Role of אֲשֶׁר in Relative Clauses
The verse contains two relative clauses introduced by אֲשֶׁר (“who, that”):
1. אֲשֶׁר־הָיָ֥ה בַנֹּקְדִ֖ים (“Who was among the herdsmen”) → Defines Amos’s occupation.
2. אֲשֶׁר֩ חָזָ֨ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (“Which he saw concerning Israel”) → Refers to the vision.
Historical Anchoring Through שְׁנָתַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י הָרָֽעַשׁ
– “Two years before the earthquake” is a rare specific temporal marker in prophecy.
– This connects Amos’s message to a historical crisis, reinforcing the urgency of his warning.
The Significance of the Prophetic Superscription in Amos
1. Legitimacy of Amos’s Calling
– Establishes Amos’s authority, despite his humble background.
2. A Warning Before Catastrophe
– The earthquake reference adds urgency to his prophecy.
3. Theological Connection to Judgment
– Amos prophesies in a time of prosperity, yet warns of impending disaster.
The Role of Construct Chains in Prophetic Identity
Amos 1:1 uses construct chains and historical markers to define Amos’s prophetic authority, occupation, and audience. The grammatical structure reinforces the urgency and authenticity of his message, making it a compelling introduction to the book’s themes of judgment and justice.
