Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: The Sovereign LORD was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land. New Living Translation Then the Sovereign LORD showed me another vision. I saw him preparing to punish his people with a great fire. The fire had burned up the depths of the sea and was devouring the entire land. English Standard Version This is what the Lord GOD showed me: behold, the Lord GOD was calling for a judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land. Berean Standard Bible This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. Berean Literal Bible Thus has the Lord YHWH shown me: And behold, the Lord YHWH was calling to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and it was devouring the portion. King James Bible Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. New King James Version Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory. New American Standard Bible So the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD was calling to contend with them by fire, and it consumed the great deep and began to consume the farmland. NASB 1995 Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD was calling to contend with them by fire, and it consumed the great deep and began to consume the farm land. NASB 1977 Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD was calling to contend with them by fire, and it consumed the great deep and began to consume the farm land. Legacy Standard Bible Thus Lord Yahweh showed me, and behold, Lord Yahweh was calling to contend with them by fire, and it consumed the great deep and began to consume the farm land. Amplified Bible Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD called for punishment with fire, and it devoured the great deep [underground sources of water] and began to consume the land. Berean Annotated Bible This is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} showed me: The Lord GOD {YHWH} was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. Christian Standard Bible The Lord GOD showed me this: The Lord GOD was calling for a judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Lord GOD showed me this: The Lord GOD was calling for a judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. American Standard Version Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me: and, behold, the Lord Jehovah called to contend by fire; and it devoured the great deep, and would have eaten up the land. Contemporary English Version The LORD showed me that he is going to send a ball of fire to burn up everything on earth, including the ocean. English Revised Version Thus the Lord GOD shewed me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire; and it devoured the great deep, and would have eaten up the land. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what the Almighty LORD showed me: The Almighty LORD was calling for judgment by fire. The fire dried up the ocean and burned up the land. Good News Translation I had another vision from the Sovereign LORD. In it I saw him preparing to punish his people with fire. The fire burned up the great ocean under the earth and started to burn up the land. International Standard Version This is what the Lord GOD showed me: Look! The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire, and it was drying up the great depths of the ocean and consuming the land. NET Bible The sovereign LORD showed me this: I saw the sovereign LORD summoning a shower of fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the fields. New Heart English Bible This is what the LORD showed me: And look, the LORD called for judgment by fire; and it dried up the great deep, and would have devoured the land. Webster's Bible Translation Thus hath the Lord GOD shown to me: and behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThis is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. World English Bible Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me: behold, the Lord Yahweh called for judgment by fire; and it dried up the great deep, and would have devoured the land. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThus has Lord YHWH showed me, and behold, Lord YHWH is calling to contend by the fire, and it consumes the great deep, indeed, it has consumed the portion, and I say, Berean Literal Bible Thus has the Lord YHWH shown me: And behold, the Lord YHWH was calling to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and it was devouring the portion. Young's Literal Translation Thus hath the Lord Jehovah shewed me, and lo, the Lord Jehovah is calling to contend by fire, and it consumeth the great deep, yea, it hath consumed the portion, and I say: Smith's Literal Translation Thus the Lord Jehovah caused me to see: and behold, the Lord Jehovah called to contend with fire, and it will devour the great deep, and devoured the portion. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThese things the Lord God shewed to me: and behold the Lord called for judgment unto fire, and it devoured the great deep, and ate up a part at the same time. Catholic Public Domain Version These things the Lord God has revealed to me. And behold, the Lord God called for judgment unto fire, and it devoured the manifold abyss, and it consumed simultaneously in every direction. New American Bible This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was summoning a rain of fire. It had devoured the great abyss and was consuming the fields. New Revised Standard Version This is what the Lord GOD showed me: the Lord GOD was calling for a shower of fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus has the LORD God showed me: and, behold, the LORD God called the people to judge them by fire, and it devoured the great deep and did eat up a part. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Thus The Lord of Lords showed me and, behold, THE LORD of LORDS called to judge by fire and it consumed the great abyss, and it consumed half OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thus the Lord GOD showed me; and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire; and it devoured the great deep, and would have eaten up the land. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thus has the Lord shewed me; and, behold, the Lord called for judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and devoured the Lord's portion. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Locusts, Fire, and Plumb Line…3So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said. 4This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. 5Then I said, “Lord GOD, please stop! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?”… Cross References This is what the Lord GOD showed me: Amos 8:1 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit. Jeremiah 24:1 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. Zechariah 1:20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. 2 Kings 1:10-12 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” / Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. Leviticus 10:2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. Isaiah 66:15-16 For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. / For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD. It consumed the great deep Nahum 1:4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. Psalm 106:9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert. Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry. and devoured the land. Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains. Joel 1:19-20 To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field. / Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures. Isaiah 24:6 Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive. Jeremiah 51:25 “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. Ezekiel 38:22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. 2 Peter 3:10-12 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. Revelation 8:7 Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass. Treasury of Scripture Thus has the Lord GOD showed to me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. shewed. Amos 7:1,7 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings… Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. called. Amos 1:4,7 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad… Amos 4:11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. Amos 5:6 Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. Jump to Previous Burning Consume Consumed Contend Content Deep Devoured Dried Eat Eaten Eating End Farm Fire Great Heritage Instrument Judgment Lord's Part Punishment Shew Shewed Showed ShownJump to Next Burning Consume Consumed Contend Content Deep Devoured Dried Eat Eaten Eating End Farm Fire Great Heritage Instrument Judgment Lord's Part Punishment Shew Shewed Showed ShownAmos 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. This is what the Lord GOD showed me: This phrase introduces a vision given to the prophet Amos. Visions were a common way God communicated with His prophets, providing them with divine insight into His plans and purposes. Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, was called by God to deliver messages primarily to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message, underscoring that it is not Amos's own thoughts but a revelation from God. The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire: It consumed the great deep: and devoured the land: Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from Tekoa, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and repentance to Israel. 2. The Lord GOD The sovereign and just God who reveals His plans to His prophets. 3. Judgment by Fire A symbolic vision representing God's impending judgment on Israel, indicating total destruction. 4. The Great Deep Often understood as the primeval waters or the depths of the earth, symbolizing the foundational elements of creation. 5. The Land Refers to the land of Israel, which is the subject of God's judgment due to its people's sins. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod is sovereign and just in His judgments. He reveals His plans to His prophets, demonstrating His control over creation and history. The Seriousness of Sin The vision of fire consuming the land underscores the seriousness of sin and the inevitable consequences of turning away from God. Repentance and Intercession Amos's role as a prophet includes interceding for the people. Believers are called to intercede for others and seek God's mercy. Symbolism of Fire Fire symbolizes purification and judgment. Believers should reflect on areas in their lives that need purification and align with God's will. Hope in God's Mercy While judgment is severe, God's ultimate desire is for repentance and restoration. Believers can find hope in God's mercy and grace. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Amos 7:4?2. How does Amos 7:4 illustrate God's judgment and mercy balance in our lives? 3. What does "the Lord GOD called for a judgment by fire" teach us? 4. How can we prepare spiritually for God's judgment as seen in Amos 7:4? 5. Connect Amos 7:4 with other biblical instances of divine judgment by fire. 6. How should Amos 7:4 influence our prayer life and intercession for others? 7. What does Amos 7:4 reveal about God's judgment and mercy? 8. How does the imagery in Amos 7:4 reflect God's power over nature? 9. What historical context is necessary to understand Amos 7:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Amos 7? 11. What symbols convey themes in the Book of Amos? 12. Amos 4:11 - How accurate is the parallel between Israel's downfall and God's earlier destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? 13. Amos 7:3, 6 - If God is 'unchanging,' why does He appear to change His decision in answer to Amos's plea? 14. What distinguishes 'LORD God' from 'Lord GOD'? What Does Amos 7:4 Mean This is what the Lord GOD showed me• Amos recounts an actual vision granted by the sovereign LORD; it is not imagination or allegory (Jeremiah 1:11-14, Acts 10:9-16 remind us that God truly reveals events to His servants). • By writing “showed,” Amos underscores that revelation begins with God; our understanding of coming judgment or hope rests on what He discloses (Deuteronomy 29:29). • The phrase marks a new scene in the series of visions (Amos 7:1, 7:7, 8:1). Each vision is sequential, showing God’s patient yet firm steps toward justice. The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire • The Lord, twice named for emphasis, issues a summons—He is Judge and Executioner (Psalm 50:4-6). • Fire often pictures God’s holy wrath (Genesis 19:24, 1 Kings 18:38, Revelation 20:9). Here it is literal devastation, not mere symbolism. • “Calling for” signals deliberateness; the nation’s persistent sin (Amos 2:6-8, 5:10-12) now meets God’s appointed consequence. It consumed the great deep • The fire reaches the subterranean waters, showing judgment that penetrates to earth’s foundations (Exodus 14:24-28, Psalm 104:5-6). • Such severity recalls the flood’s scope (Genesis 7:11-12); yet this time water cannot quench the flame—God’s chosen instrument prevails (Isaiah 66:15-16). • The vision warns that nothing—physical depth or spiritual claim—can shield the unrepentant from divine holiness. and devoured the land • Crops, homes, and life-sustaining resources are left in ashes (Joel 1:19-20). • National security, economy, and worship centers would crumble, echoing earlier covenant warnings (Leviticus 26:16, Deuteronomy 28:22-24). • The consuming result highlights God’s total authority: when He judges, every sphere feels the impact. summary Amos 7:4 reveals a literal vision: the LORD initiates a fiery judgment so thorough it reaches the underground waters and ravages Israel’s soil. By recording this, Amos confronts a complacent nation with the certainty, scope, and righteousness of God’s wrath. The passage calls every reader to grasp that divine warnings are real, comprehensive, and inescapable—yet given so repentance may still avert the flames (2 Peter 3:9, Amos 7:6). (4) Fire.--The poetical description of a yet more terrible calamity. God announces His intention of judging, i.e., punishing by fire (the word in E.V., "contend," is to be understood in this sense). For "a portion" read the portion. The image is that of a prairie fire, that should eat up the later grass spared by the locusts. The consuming of the "great deep" is a strong hyperbole, and can scarcely refer to the "heathen world," as Keil maintains. The meaning rather appears to be that not only the solitary remnant of pasture, but the deepest springs of moisture, will be scorched up in the blaze. The same word for "deep" (tehom) is used in Genesis 1:2, Gen_7:11, Gen_8:2. (Comp. the Assyrian tihamtu.)Verses 4-6. - § 2. The second vision devouring fire, represents a more severe judgment than the preceding one, involving greater consequences, but still one which was again modified by the prayers of the righteous prophet. Verse 4. - Called to contend by fire; Septuaguint, ἐκάλεσε τὴν δίκην ἐν πυρί, "called for judgment by fire;" Vulgate, vocabat judicium ad ignem. God called the people to try their cause with him by sending fire as a punishment among them (comp. Isaiah 66:16; Ezekiel 38:22); and in the vision the fire is represented as so vehement that it devoured the great deep, drank up the very ocean itself (Genesis 7:11; Isaiah 51:10); or the subterranean fountains and springs, as Genesis 49:25. And did eat up a part; τὴν μερίδα κυρίου (Septuagint). This version takes eth-hacheleq as the "inheritance" or "portion" of the Lord, i.e. the land of Israel (Jeremiah 12:10); but Canaan is nowhere called absolutely "the portion;" nor were the ten tribes specially so designated. Rather, the portion (not a part) is that part of the land and people which was marked out for judgment. The particular calamity alluded to is the second invasion of Tigiath-Pileser II, when he conquered Gilead and the northern part of the kingdom, and carried some of the people captive to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew This is whatכֹּ֤ה (kōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH showed me: הִרְאַ֙נִי֙ (hir·’a·nî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see The Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD יְהוִ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH was calling קֹרֵ֛א (qō·rê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read for judgment לָרִ֥ב (lā·riḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend by fire. בָּאֵ֖שׁ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire It consumed וַתֹּ֙אכַל֙ (wat·tō·ḵal) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 398: To eat the great רַבָּ֔ה (rab·bāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7227: Much, many, great deep תְּה֣וֹם (tə·hō·wm) Noun - common singular Strong's 8415: An abyss, the deep and devoured וְאָכְלָ֖ה (wə·’ā·ḵə·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 398: To eat the land. הַחֵֽלֶק׃ (ha·ḥê·leq) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory Links Amos 7:4 NIVAmos 7:4 NLT Amos 7:4 ESV Amos 7:4 NASB Amos 7:4 KJV Amos 7:4 BibleApps.com Amos 7:4 Biblia Paralela Amos 7:4 Chinese Bible Amos 7:4 French Bible Amos 7:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Amos 7:4 Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me (Amo. 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