Amos 7:2

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כִּלָּה֙

H3615

And it came to pass that when they had made an end

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

לֶֽאֱכוֹל֙

H398

of eating

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵ֣שֶׂב

H6212

the grass

grass (or any tender shoot)

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

of the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וָאֹמַ֗ר

H559

then I said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֤י

H136

O Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

#10

יְהוִה֙

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#11

סְֽלַֽח

H5545

forgive

to forgive

#12

נָ֔א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#13

מִ֥י

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

#14

יָק֖וּם

H6965

arise

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#15

יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב

H3290

I beseech thee by whom shall Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

#16

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#17

קָטֹ֖ן

H6996

for he is small

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

#18

הֽוּא׃

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Amos. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Amos Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?