Amos 7:15
New International Version
But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

New Living Translation
But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’

English Standard Version
But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Berean Standard Bible
But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

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

New King James Version
Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’

NASB 1995
“But the LORD took me from following the flock and the LORD said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’

NASB 1977
“But the LORD took me from following the flock and the LORD said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh took me from following the flock, and Yahweh said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’

Amplified Bible
But the LORD took me as I followed the flock and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’”

American Standard Version
and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Contemporary English Version
But the LORD told me to leave my herds and preach to the people of Israel.

English Revised Version
and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the LORD took me away from herding the flock and said to me, 'Prophesy to my people Israel.'

Good News Translation
But the LORD took me from my work as a shepherd and ordered me to come and prophesy to his people Israel.

International Standard Version
But the LORD took me from tending the flock and the LORD kept saying to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

Majority Standard Bible
But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ?Go, prophesy to My people Israel.?

NET Bible
Then the LORD took me from tending flocks and gave me this commission, 'Go! Prophesy to my people Israel!'

New Heart English Bible
and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.

World English Bible
and Yahweh took me from following the flock, and Yahweh said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and YHWH takes me from after the flock, and YHWH says to me, Go, prophesy to My people Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
and Jehovah taketh me from after the flock, and Jehovah saith unto me, Go, prophesy unto My people Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will take me from after the sheep, and Jehovah will say to me, Go prophesy to my people Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord took me when I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord took me, when I was following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ ”

New American Bible
but the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

New Revised Standard Version
and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, Go, prophesy against my people Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH led me from behind the flock, and LORD JEHOVAH said to me: ’go prophesy against my people Israel’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said unto me: Go, prophesy unto My people Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord took me from the sheep, and the Lord said to me, Go, and prophesy to my people Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Amaziah Accuses Amos
14“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. 15But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ 16Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’…

Cross References
Exodus 3:10
Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

1 Samuel 16:11-13
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Matthew 4:18-20
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...

2 Samuel 7:8
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

Ezekiel 2:3-5
“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Hosea 1:2
When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.”

Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.

Mark 1:16-20
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...

Luke 5:10-11
and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.” / And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

took.

2 Samuel 7:8
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: …

Matthew 4:18,19
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers…

as I followed.

Jeremiah 1:7
But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Ezekiel 2:3,4
And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day…

Luke 24:46-48
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: …

Jump to Previous
Flock Followed Following Israel Prophesy Prophet Tending
Jump to Next
Flock Followed Following Israel Prophesy Prophet Tending
Amos 7
1. The judgments of the grasshoppers,
4. and of the fire are diverted by the prayer of Amos.
7. By the wall of a plumb line is signified the rejection of Israel.
10. Amaziah complains of Amos.
14. Amos shows his calling
16. and Amaziah's judgment.














But the LORD took me from following the flock
This phrase highlights the divine initiative in Amos's calling. The Hebrew word for "took" is "laqach," which implies a forceful or deliberate action. It suggests that Amos's transition from shepherd to prophet was not of his own volition but a direct intervention by God. Historically, shepherds were seen as humble and lowly, yet God often chose such individuals for His purposes, as seen with David. This underscores the theme that God values obedience and humility over status or position.

and said to me
The phrase "and said to me" emphasizes the personal and direct communication between God and Amos. The Hebrew verb "amar" is used here, which is a common term for speaking but in this context, it signifies a divine command. This direct communication is a hallmark of prophetic calling, where God imparts His message to be delivered to His people. It reflects the intimate relationship between God and His prophets, where they are entrusted with His words.

‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’
The command "Go, prophesy" is a clear directive from God, using the Hebrew word "halak" for "go," which implies movement with purpose. The term "prophesy" comes from the Hebrew "naba," meaning to speak or sing by inspiration. This indicates that Amos's messages were not his own but were divinely inspired. The phrase "My people Israel" signifies God's enduring covenant relationship with Israel, despite their disobedience. It highlights God's desire for repentance and restoration, showing His love and commitment to His chosen people. This calling of Amos serves as a reminder that God often uses unlikely individuals to fulfill His divine purposes, emphasizing His sovereignty and grace.

(15) Followed the flock.--There is no hint of any lack of education or refinement (see Introduction) through the exclusion of any special aid derived from the training of earlier prophets. In this case God's inward call had been more than sufficient.

Verse 15. - As I followed; literally, from after from behind, as in the call of David (2 Samuel 7:8; Psalm 78:70), The Divine call came to him suddenly and imperatively, and he must needs obey it. He, therefore, could not follow Amaziah's counsel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

took me
וַיִּקָּחֵ֣נִי (way·yiq·qā·ḥê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3947: To take

from following
מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition-m
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the flock
הַצֹּ֑אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘Go,
לֵ֥ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

prophesy
הִנָּבֵ֖א (hin·nā·ḇê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

My people
עַמִּ֥י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel.’
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Amos 7:15 And Yahweh took me from following (Amo. Am)
Amos 7:14
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