Amos 7:1

Authorized King James Version

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Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.

Original Language Analysis

כֹּ֤ה H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
הִרְאַ֙נִי֙ shewed H7200
הִרְאַ֙נִי֙ shewed
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 2 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֲדֹנָ֣י Thus hath the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י Thus hath the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 3 of 15
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֔ה GOD H3069
יְהוִ֔ה GOD
Strong's: H3069
Word #: 4 of 15
god
וְהִנֵּה֙ H2009
וְהִנֵּה֙
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 5 of 15
lo!
יוֹצֵ֣ר unto me and behold he formed H3335
יוֹצֵ֣ר unto me and behold he formed
Strong's: H3335
Word #: 6 of 15
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
גֹּבַ֔י grasshoppers H1462
גֹּבַ֔י grasshoppers
Strong's: H1462
Word #: 7 of 15
the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae)
בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת in the beginning H8462
בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת in the beginning
Strong's: H8462
Word #: 8 of 15
a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)
עֲל֣וֹת of the shooting up H5927
עֲל֣וֹת of the shooting up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 9 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
לֶ֔קֶשׁ and lo it was the latter growth H3954
לֶ֔קֶשׁ and lo it was the latter growth
Strong's: H3954
Word #: 10 of 15
the after crop
וְהִ֨נֵּה H2009
וְהִ֨נֵּה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 11 of 15
lo!
לֶ֔קֶשׁ and lo it was the latter growth H3954
לֶ֔קֶשׁ and lo it was the latter growth
Strong's: H3954
Word #: 12 of 15
the after crop
אַחַ֖ר after H310
אַחַ֖ר after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
גִּזֵּ֥י mowings H1488
גִּזֵּ֥י mowings
Strong's: H1488
Word #: 14 of 15
a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ the king's H4428
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ the king's
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 15 of 15
a king

Analysis & Commentary

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me (koh hir'ani Adonai YHWH, כֹּה הִרְאַנִי אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה)—this introduces the first of five symbolic visions (7:1-9, 8:1-3, 9:1-4) revealing God's intentions toward Israel. The phrase "showed me" (hir'ani, from רָאָה ra'ah, "to see") indicates prophetic vision—God visually reveals His purposes to Amos, who then reports them.

He formed grasshoppers (yotzer govai, יוֹצֵר גֹּבַי)—the verb yatsar (יָצַר, "formed/fashioned") is used of God creating Adam (Genesis 2:7) and forming Israel (Isaiah 43:1, 44:2, 21). Here God "forms" or "creates" a locust swarm (govai, likely young locusts/grasshoppers). This connects to covenant curses: Deuteronomy 28:38, 42 threatens locust devastation if Israel violates covenant. The timing matters: in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings (bitkillot la'alot halaqesh vehineh-leqesh achar gizei hamelekh)—the "latter growth" was the second crop after the king took his portion. Locusts devouring this crop meant total loss—the people would starve.

Verse 2 continues: Amos intercedes, and God relents ("The LORD repented for this: It shall not be"). This vision teaches several truths:

  1. God's judgments are warnings, not inevitable fate—repentance can avert them
  2. prophetic intercession matters—Amos's prayer moved God
  3. God's "repentance" (relenting/changing course) doesn't contradict His immutability but demonstrates His responsiveness to human repentance and intercession (Exodus 32:14

Jonah 3:10).

Historical Context

Locust plagues were devastating in the ancient Near East, capable of destroying entire harvests in hours (Exodus 10:1-20; Joel 1:4). The "king's mowings" refers to the royal tax—kings claimed first portion of crops (1 Samuel 8:15). The second growth fed the people; if locusts destroyed it, famine resulted. Amos's vision shows God forming judgment, but his intercession delays it. This pattern continues through chapters 7-8: God shows judgment, Amos prays, God relents—until finally God declares, "I will not again pass by them any more" (7:8, 8:2). Israel's persistent impenitence exhausted divine patience.

Questions for Reflection