Amos 3:8
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 11
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לֹ֥א
who will not
H3808
לֹ֥א
who will not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְהוִה֙
H3068
יְהוִה֙
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִּבֶּ֔ר
hath spoken
H1696
דִּבֶּ֔ר
hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מִ֖י
H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
9 of 11
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Acts 4:20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.Jeremiah 20:9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.Amos 3:4Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?Amos 1:2And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.Revelation 5:5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.1 Corinthians 9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!Amos 2:12But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.
Historical Context
Amos spoke this around 760 BC when confronted by Amaziah the priest at Bethel (Amos 7:10-17), who commanded him to stop prophesying. Amos wasn't a professional prophet but a shepherd whom God seized and sent. This verse justifies his divine commission despite lacking formal prophetic credentials.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse challenge the modern view of preaching as profession rather than prophetic compulsion?
- When was the last time God's Word created such urgency in you that you couldn't remain silent?
- What does it mean for the church when preachers speak from personal wisdom rather than 'the Lord GOD hath spoken'?
Analysis & Commentary
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? (אַרְיֵה שָׁאָג מִי לֹא יִירָא, aryeh sha'ag mi lo yira)—Amos uses rhetorical questions to establish cause and effect. The lion's roar (שָׁאָג, sha'ag) triggers instinctive fear; similarly, the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה דִּבֶּר מִי לֹא יִנָּבֵא, Adonai YHWH diber mi lo yinave). When God speaks (דִּבֶּר, diber), the prophet cannot remain silent—prophecy becomes compulsion, not career choice.
This defends Amos's prophetic authority against critics. He prophesies not from presumption but necessity—God has spoken, therefore he must speak. The same compulsion drove Peter and John: 'We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20). True preaching flows from divine encounter, not human agenda.