Amos 2:11
And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וָאָקִ֤ים
And I raised up
H6965
וָאָקִ֤ים
And I raised up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בְּנֵ֥י
Is it not even thus O ye children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
Is it not even thus O ye children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּמִבַּחוּרֵיכֶ֖ם
and of your young men
H970
וּמִבַּחוּרֵיכֶ֖ם
and of your young men
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
לִנְזִרִ֑ים
for Nazarites
H5139
לִנְזִרִ֑ים
for Nazarites
Strong's:
H5139
Word #:
5 of 12
separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)
הַאַ֥ף
H637
הַאַ֥ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
6 of 12
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
בְּנֵ֥י
Is it not even thus O ye children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
Is it not even thus O ye children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
Nazarite vows involved abstaining from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding corpse contact (Numbers 6:1-21)—visible testimony to devotion. Forcing Nazarites to drink wine violated their vows and demonstrated contempt for consecration. Commanding prophets not to prophesy rejected God's word. Israel's northern kingdom established this pattern under Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:25-33), persisting through subsequent kings. Amos himself faced this command (Amos 7:12-13).
Questions for Reflection
- How do modern people actively resist or silence God's word rather than just ignoring it?
- What does it mean to corrupt those devoted to God and suppress prophetic voices?
Analysis & Commentary
God continues recounting His gracious acts: "Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite." This summarizes the Exodus, wilderness journey, and conquest—Israel's foundational narrative. Every aspect was divine accomplishment: liberation from slavery (Exodus), sustenance in the wilderness (manna, water, protection), and conquest of promised land. The phrase "I brought... I led" emphasizes God as active subject—He did this, not Israel. Verse 11 adds: "And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites." God provided spiritual leadership (prophets) and examples of devotion (Nazarites who took vows of consecration). Yet Israel's response (v. 12): "But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not." They corrupted devoted people and silenced God's messengers—active rebellion against grace.