Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. New Living Translation But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. English Standard Version Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. Berean Standard Bible “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. Berean Literal Bible And Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet, nor was I the son of a prophet, but I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. King James Bible Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: New King James Version Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. New American Standard Bible Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. NASB 1995 Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. NASB 1977 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. Legacy Standard Bible Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. Amplified Bible Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet [by profession], nor am I a prophet’s son; I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. Berean Annotated Bible “I was not (I am not) a prophet, Amos (burden) replied (YHWH is mighty), “nor was I the son (nor am I the son) of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. Christian Standard Bible So Amos answered Amaziah, “I was not a prophet or the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman, and I took care of sycamore figs. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Amos answered Amaziah, “I was not a prophet or the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman, and I took care of sycamore figs. American Standard Version Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees: Contemporary English Version I answered: I'm not a prophet! And I wasn't trained to be a prophet. I am a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees. English Revised Version Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a dresser of sycomore trees: GOD'S WORD® Translation Amos responded, "I'm not a prophet, and I'm not a disciple of the prophets. I am a rancher and a grower of figs. Good News Translation Amos answered, "I am not the kind of prophet who prophesies for pay. I am a herdsman, and I take care of fig trees. International Standard Version Amos replied in answer to Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor am I a prophet's son, for I have been shepherding and picking the fruit of sycamore trees. NET Bible Amos replied to Amaziah, "I was not a prophet by profession. No, I was a herdsman who also took care of sycamore fig trees. New Heart English Bible Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs; Webster's Bible Translation Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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. World English Bible Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Amos answers and says to Amaziah, “I [am] no prophet, nor [am] I a prophet’s son, but I [am] a herdsman, and a cultivator of sycamores, Berean Literal Bible And Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet, nor was I the son of a prophet, but I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. Young's Literal Translation And Amos answereth and saith unto Amaziah, 'I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son am I, but a herdsman I am, and a cultivator of sycamores, Smith's Literal Translation And Amos will answer and say to Amaziah, I am no prophet, and I not the son of a prophet; for I a herdsman, and gathering figs of the sycamores. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Amos answered and said to Amasias: I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet: but I am a herdsman plucking wild figs. Catholic Public Domain Version And Amos responded, and he said to Amasias, “I am not a prophet, and I am not the son of a prophet, but I am a herdsman plucking from wild fig trees. New American Bible Amos answered Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor do I belong to a company of prophets. I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamores, New Revised Standard Version Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Amos answered and said to Amaziah, I am not a prophet, neither a prophet's son; but I was a shepherd and a gatherer of wild figs; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Amos answered and said to Amutsia: “I have not been a Prophet, neither a son of a Prophet, but I am a Shepherd and collector of wild figs OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah: 'I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdman, and a dresser of sycamore-trees; Brenton Septuagint Translation And Amos answered, and said to Amasias, I was not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruits. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Amaziah Accuses Amos…13But never prophesy at Bethel again, because it is the sanctuary of the king and the temple of the kingdom.” 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.’… Cross References “I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, 1 Kings 19:19-21 So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah. Exodus 3:1-4 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. / There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” … Judges 6:11-16 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” … “nor was I the son of a prophet; 2 Kings 2:3 Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” 2 Kings 4:1 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” 2 Kings 6:1-2 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. / Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha. rather, I was a herdsman 1 Samuel 17:34-37 David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” … Psalm 78:70-71 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. 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. and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. 1 Chronicles 27:28 Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills. Joash was in charge of the stores of olive oil. 2 Chronicles 9:27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. Psalm 78:47 He killed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore-figs with sleet. Jeremiah 1:6-7 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Exodus 3:11-12 But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.” 1 Samuel 16:11-12 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.” Matthew 4:18-22 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. … Treasury of Scripture Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: neither. 1 Kings 20:35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him. 2 Kings 2:3,5,7 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace… 2 Kings 4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. an herdman. Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. Zechariah 13:5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; a gatherer. sycamore fruit. Jump to Previous Amaziah Amazi'ah Amos Care Dresser Farmer Figs Fruit Gatherer Prophet Prophets Prophet's Shepherd Sycamore Sycamore-Fig Sycamores Sycamore-Trees Sycomore Sycomore-TreesJump to Next Amaziah Amazi'ah Amos Care Dresser Farmer Figs Fruit Gatherer Prophet Prophets Prophet's Shepherd Sycamore Sycamore-Fig Sycamores Sycamore-Trees Sycomore Sycomore-TreesAmos 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. I was not a prophet Amos begins by clarifying his status, emphasizing that he did not come from a prophetic lineage or school. In ancient Israel, prophets were often recognized figures, sometimes associated with prophetic guilds or schools (e.g., 1 Samuel 10:5, 2 Kings 2:3). Amos's declaration highlights his outsider status, underscoring that his calling was directly from God rather than through human appointment or tradition. nor was I the son of a prophet rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA humble shepherd and caretaker of sycamore-fig trees from Tekoa, called by God to be a prophet to Israel. His background emphasizes his ordinary status and God's extraordinary calling. 2. Tekoa A small town in Judah, south of Jerusalem, known for its rugged terrain. It is the hometown of Amos, highlighting his rural and humble origins. 3. Prophets Individuals called by God to deliver His messages to the people. Amos distinguishes himself from the traditional lineage of prophets, emphasizing his unique calling. 4. Sycamore-Fig Trees A type of fig tree that Amos tended, symbolizing his work in agriculture and his connection to the land. 5. Israel The northern kingdom to which Amos was sent to prophesy. At the time, Israel was experiencing prosperity but was spiritually and morally corrupt. Teaching Points God's Sovereign ChoiceGod often chooses unlikely individuals to carry out His work, emphasizing His sovereignty and the power of His calling over human qualifications. Humility in Service Amos's background as a shepherd and fig tree caretaker reminds us that humility and faithfulness in small tasks prepare us for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom. Obedience to God's Call Despite his lack of traditional prophetic credentials, Amos obeyed God's call, demonstrating that willingness and obedience are more important than status or experience. The Power of God's Message The authority of Amos's message came from God, not his background, reminding us that the power of God's Word transcends the messenger's personal qualifications. Faithfulness in the Ordinary Amos's account encourages us to be faithful in our everyday roles, trusting that God can use our ordinary lives for His extraordinary purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Amos 7:14?2. How does Amos 7:14 illustrate God's call to ordinary people for His purposes? 3. What does Amos' background teach us about humility and service in God's work? 4. How can Amos 7:14 inspire us to trust God's plan over our qualifications? 5. How does Amos' response in 7:14 connect to other biblical calls to prophets? 6. How can we apply Amos' obedience in 7:14 to our daily Christian walk? 7. Why did Amos emphasize his background as a shepherd and fig farmer in Amos 7:14? 8. How does Amos 7:14 challenge the notion of who can be a prophet? 9. What does Amos 7:14 reveal about God's choice of messengers? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Amos 7? 11. What are the key themes in the Book of Amos? 12. Who is the author of the Book of Amos? 13. Is the argument dismissed due to its origin? 14. What is the Book of Amos about? What Does Amos 7:14 Mean I was not a prophet• Amos begins by stating plainly, “I was not a prophet”. He is stressing that he did not enter ministry through a professional guild or personal ambition. • The Lord frequently chooses unlikely messengers—think of Moses protesting, “Who am I, that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11), or Jeremiah saying, “Ah, Lord GOD, I surely do not know how to speak” (Jeremiah 1:6). • This pattern magnifies God’s sovereignty: He equips whom He calls (cf. 1 Timothy 1:12). nor was I the son of a prophet • Prophetic “schools” or “sons of the prophets” existed in Israel (2 Kings 2:3), but Amos did not belong to one. • Heritage or pedigree did not qualify him. God’s call overrides bloodlines (John 1:13; Galatians 3:7). • Like Gideon, the youngest in a least-regarded clan (Judges 6:15), Amos shows that ministry lineage is unnecessary when the Lord commissions a servant. rather, I was a herdsman • Amos tended flocks in Tekoa. Shepherding was humble, gritty work (Psalm 78:70-71). • The Lord has a pattern of calling shepherds—Moses in Midian (Exodus 3:1) and David among the sheepfolds (1 Samuel 16:11). • Shepherding develops vigilance and courage, qualities crucial for confronting Israel’s leaders with truth (Acts 20:28-31). and a tender of sycamore-fig trees • Sycamore-figs were the food of common people; cultivating them required steady, manual labor. • Amos’s dual roles show he earned his living apart from prophesying, silencing any charge of profiteering (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:18). • Scripture honors diligent work—“Aspire to live quietly, attend to your own matters, and work with your hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Amos models this ethic even while carrying a prophetic burden. summary Amos 7:14 highlights that God chose an ordinary laborer with no prophetic pedigree to speak His extraordinary word. The verse underscores divine initiative, the value of humble vocation, and the truth that calling, not credentials, authorizes ministry. (14) I was . . .--An interesting biographical touch. Prophecy, like other occupations, tended to form a hereditary guild, but Amos was not by birth a prophet. The word for "gatherer" is rendered in the LXX. and Vulg. "nipper," or "pincher." There was a custom mentioned in Theophrastus, Hist. Plant., iv. 2, Pliny, Hist. Nat., xiii. 14, of pinching or scratching the mulberry-fig in order to make it ripen. But it is very doubtful whether this is the meaning of the Hebrew word here, which is nowhere else employed.Verse 14. - The prophet, undaunted by Amaziah's threats, in simple language declares that he does not practise prophecying as a profession or to gain a livelihood, but in obedience to the voice of God. The exercise of the prophetical office was restricted neither to sex nor rank. There were many prophetesses in Israel, e.g. Deborah (Judges 4.), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14); and besides a large number of nameless prophets there are twenty-three whose names are preserved in Holy Writ, omitting those whose writings have come down to us (Ladd, 'Doctrine of Scripture,' 1:117, etc.). A prophet's son; i.e. brought up in the schools of the prophets, the pupils of which were called "sons of the prophets" (see 1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:5). Amos was neither self-commissioned nor trained in any human institution. A herdman (boger); usually "a cowherd;" here "a shepherd;" αἰπόλος (Septuagint). A gatherer of sycomore fruit. The phrase, boles shiqmim, may mean either one who plucks mulberry figs for his own sustenance, or one who cultivates them for others. The latter is probably the meaning of the term here. The Septuagint rendering, κνίζων συκάμινα, "pricking sycamore fruit," and that of the Vulgate, vellicans sycomoros, indicate the artificial means for ripening the fruit, which was done by scraping, scratching, or puncturing it, as is sometimes done to the figs of commerce. As the tree bore many crops of fruit in the year, it would afford constant employment to the dresser (see 'Dict. of the Bible,' 3. p. 1394; 'Bible Educator,' 4, p. 343).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Iאָנֹ֔כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I was not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no a prophet,” נָבִ֣יא (nā·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet Amos עָמוֹס֙ (‘ā·mō·ws) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5986: Amos -- an Israelite prophet replied, וַיַּ֤עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond “[nor was I] the son בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of a prophet; נָבִ֖יא (nā·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet rather, כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אָנֹ֑כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I was a herdsman בוֹקֵ֥ר (ḇō·w·qêr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 951: A cattle-tender [and] אָנֹ֖כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I a tender וּבוֹלֵ֥ס (ū·ḇō·w·lês) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 1103: To pinch sycamore figs of sycamore-fig trees. שִׁקְמִֽים׃ (šiq·mîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8256: Sycamore tree Links Amos 7:14 NIVAmos 7:14 NLT Amos 7:14 ESV Amos 7:14 NASB Amos 7:14 KJV Amos 7:14 BibleApps.com Amos 7:14 Biblia Paralela Amos 7:14 Chinese Bible Amos 7:14 French Bible Amos 7:14 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Amos 7:14 Then Amos answered Amaziah I was no (Amo. 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