A vision of summer fruit (qayits) announces the end (qets) has come for Israel—songs will become wailings with corpses everywhere. Amos indicts merchants who cheat with false scales, can't wait for Sabbaths to end so they can exploit the poor, and sell the refuse of wheat; God will bring cosmic signs of mourning and a famine of hearing His word.
Read Amos Chapter 8 Summary
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Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
The Temple
View on MapThe Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Egypt
View on MapEgypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Beersheba
View on MapBeersheba, meaning "Well of the Oath," was the southernmost major city of Israel. Abraham and Isaac both dug wells and made covenants here. It marked the traditional southern boundary of Israel in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba." Hagar wandered in its wilderness, and Elijah fled here.
Position in Book
Judgment on NationsChapters 1-2
Indictment of IsraelChapters 3-6
Visions of JudgmentChapters 7-9
Five visions of coming judgment, conflict with Amaziah, restoration promise.