Amos 7:15

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּקָּחֵ֣נִי took H3947
וַיִּקָּחֵ֣נִי took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י me as I followed H310
מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י me as I followed
Strong's: H310
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַצֹּ֑אן the flock H6629
הַצֹּ֑אן the flock
Strong's: H6629
Word #: 4 of 12
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 12
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלַי֙ H413
אֵלַי֙
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֔ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵ֥ךְ H1980
לֵ֥ךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הִנָּבֵ֖א prophesy H5012
הִנָּבֵ֖א prophesy
Strong's: H5012
Word #: 9 of 12
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
עַמִּ֥י unto my people H5971
עַמִּ֥י unto my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 11 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock (וַיִּקָּחֵנִי יְהוָה מֵאַחֲרֵי הַצֹּאן, vayikacheni YHWH me'acharei hatzon)—the verb לָקַח (lakach, 'to take, seize') suggests divine compulsion. Amos didn't volunteer; God took him from shepherding. And the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵךְ הִנָּבֵא אֶל־עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayomer YHWH elai lech hinave el-ami Yisrael)—God's direct command (לֵךְ, lech, 'go!') and claim ('my people') authenticates Amos's message against Amaziah's opposition (7:10-13).

This verse defends prophetic authority: Amos prophesies not by professional training but divine commission. The same pattern appears with Moses (Exodus 3:10), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:7), and New Testament apostles (Galatians 1:1)—God's call, not human credentials, validates ministry. True preaching flows from divine sending, not self-appointment.

Historical Context

Amaziah the priest of Bethel commanded Amos to stop prophesying (7:12-13), claiming prophetic ministry required institutional approval. Amos responds by affirming his divine commission—God's authority trumps human religious hierarchies. This conflict between institutional religion and prophetic truth recurs throughout Scripture.

Questions for Reflection