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Amos the Prophet

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Amos the Prophet: An 8th-century BCE Hebrew prophet who condemned social injustice, hollow rituals, and economic exploitation, his voice in poetry representing moral outrage and divine demand for righteousness.

Detailed Definition
Amos, a herdsman from Tekoa, speaks against exploitation, luxury, and religious ceremony divorced from justice. His visions of plumb lines, baskets of summer fruit, and a collapsing sanctuary give moral argument a vivid physical form. In poetry, Amos represents the unornamented voice that interrupts celebration, insisting that rivers of righteousness matter more than polished songs, prosperous courts, or impressive offerings.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poet may address Amos the Prophet as a voice defending the poor and condemning injustice; “Amos lifts his plumb line against the crooked walls of power”; The image of Amos leaving the shepherd’s fields for prophecy can symbolize an unexpected calling; A poem can echo his concern for justice by placing worship beside hunger and exploitation.
Additional Notes
Amos the Prophet was a shepherd and farmer from Judah who preached to the northern kingdom of Israel. His book denounces exploitation of the poor, corrupt courts, dishonest commerce, and worship without ethical obedience. Amos is especially useful in poetry about justice, righteousness, social conscience, judgment, and the image of justice flowing like a mighty stream.
Also Known As
Amos
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