Amos 4:13
For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֡י
H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יוֹצֵ֨ר
For lo he that formeth
H3335
יוֹצֵ֨ר
For lo he that formeth
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
3 of 21
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
הָרִ֜ים
the mountains
H2022
הָרִ֜ים
the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 21
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וּבֹרֵ֣א
and createth
H1254
וּבֹרֵ֣א
and createth
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
5 of 21
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
ר֗וּחַ
the wind
H7307
ר֗וּחַ
the wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
6 of 21
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וּמַגִּ֤יד
and declareth
H5046
וּמַגִּ֤יד
and declareth
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לְאָדָם֙
unto man
H120
לְאָדָם֙
unto man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
8 of 21
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
שֵּׂח֔וֹ
what is his thought
H7808
שֵּׂח֔וֹ
what is his thought
Strong's:
H7808
Word #:
10 of 21
communion, i.e., (reflexively) meditation
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
that maketh
H6213
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
that maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְדֹרֵ֖ךְ
and treadeth
H1869
וְדֹרֵ֖ךְ
and treadeth
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
14 of 21
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵֽי
The God
H430
אֱלֹהֵֽי
The God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Amos 5:8Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:Micah 1:3For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.Amos 9:6It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.Isaiah 47:4As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.Psalms 65:6Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.Deuteronomy 33:29Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.Daniel 2:28But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Historical Context
These doxological fragments may derive from ancient Israelite hymns. Their placement after judgment oracles serves theological purpose: reminding hearers that Amos speaks for the sovereign Creator, not merely offering political opinion. The phrases echo creation language from Genesis and anticipate New Testament Christology (Colossians 1:15-17).
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God as Creator of mountains and wind humble human pride and self-sufficiency?
- What does it mean that the same God who reveals His thoughts is also the God who judges sin?
- How should God's cosmic sovereignty shape our understanding of His authority to judge nations and individuals?
Analysis & Commentary
This doxology proclaims Yahweh's cosmic sovereignty: He that formeth the mountains (יֹצֵר הָרִים, yotzer harim)—the participle emphasizes continuous creative power. And createth the wind (וּבֹרֵא רוּחַ, uvore ruach)—רוּחַ (ruach) means both 'wind' and 'spirit,' suggesting God's control over both physical and spiritual realms. And declareth unto man what is his thought (וּמַגִּיד לְאָדָם מַה־שֵּׂחוֹ, umagid l'adam mah-secho)—God reveals His purposes to humans through prophetic revelation. That maketh the morning darkness (עֹשֶׂה שַׁחַר עֵיפָה, oseh shachar eifah)—He controls day and night. And treadeth upon the high places of the earth (וְדֹרֵךְ עַל־בָּמֳתֵי אָרֶץ, v'dorech al-bamotei aretz)—walking on earth's high places demonstrates absolute authority. The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי־צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ, YHWH Elohei-tzva'ot sh'mo).
This hymnic interruption follows severe judgment oracles, reminding Israel who they're resisting. The God who judges is the Creator-Sustainer of all reality. Similar doxologies appear in Amos 5:8-9 and 9:5-6, structuring the book around God's cosmic majesty—rebellion against such a God guarantees destruction.