1. οὕτως ἔδειξέν μοι κύριος καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄγγος ἰξευτοῦ
2. καὶ εἶπεν τί σὺ βλέπεις Αμως καὶ εἶπα ἄγγος ἰξευτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με ἥκει τὸ πέρας ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν μου Ισραηλ οὐκέτι μὴ προσθῶ τοῦ παρελθεῖν αὐτόν
3. καὶ ὀλολύξει τὰ φατνώματα τοῦ ναοῦ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ λέγει κύριος πολὺς ὁ πεπτωκὼς ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ἐπιρρίψω σιωπήν
4. ἀκούσατε δὴ ταῦτα οἱ ἐκτρίβοντες εἰς τὸ πρωὶ πένητα καὶ καταδυναστεύοντες πτωχοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς
5. οἱ λέγοντες πότε διελεύσεται ὁ μὴν καὶ ἐμπολήσομεν καὶ τὰ σάββατα καὶ ἀνοίξομεν θησαυροὺς τοῦ ποιῆσαι μικρὸν μέτρον καὶ τοῦ μεγαλῦναι στάθμια καὶ ποιῆσαι ζυγὸν ἄδικον
6. τοῦ κτᾶσθαι ἐν ἀργυρίῳ πτωχοὺς καὶ ταπεινὸν ἀντὶ ὑποδημάτων καὶ ἀπὸ παντὸς γενήματος ἐμπορευσόμεθα
7. ὀμνύει κύριος καθ’ ὑπερηφανίας Ιακωβ εἰ ἐπιλησθήσεται εἰς νεῖκος πάντα τὰ ἔργα ὑμῶν
8. καὶ ἐπὶ τούτοις οὐ ταραχθήσεται ἡ γῆ καὶ πενθήσει πᾶς ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ ἀναβήσεται ὡς ποταμὸς συντέλεια καὶ καταβήσεται ὡς ποταμὸς Αἰγύπτου
9. καὶ ἔσται ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ λέγει κύριος ὁ θεός καὶ δύσεται ὁ ἥλιος μεσημβρίας καὶ συσκοτάσει ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ τὸ φῶς
10. καὶ μεταστρέψω τὰς ἑορτὰς ὑμῶν εἰς πένθος καὶ πάσας τὰς ᾠδὰς ὑμῶν εἰς θρῆνον καὶ ἀναβιβῶ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ὀσφὺν σάκκον καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν κεφαλὴν φαλάκρωμα καὶ θήσομαι αὐτὸν ὡς πένθος ἀγαπητοῦ καὶ τοὺς μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡμέραν ὀδύνης
11. ἰδοὺ ἡμέραι ἔρχονται λέγει κύριος καὶ ἐξαποστελῶ λιμὸν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν οὐ λιμὸν ἄρτου οὐδὲ δίψαν ὕδατος ἀλλὰ λιμὸν τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι λόγον κυρίου
12. καὶ σαλευθήσονται ὕδατα ἕως θαλάσσης καὶ ἀπὸ βορρᾶ ἕως ἀνατολῶν περιδραμοῦνται ζητοῦντες τὸν λόγον κυρίου καὶ οὐ μὴ εὕρωσιν
13. ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐκλείψουσιν αἱ παρθένοι αἱ καλαὶ καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ἐν δίψει
14. οἱ ὀμνύοντες κατὰ τοῦ ἱλασμοῦ Σαμαρείας καὶ οἱ λέγοντες ζῇ ὁ θεός σου Δαν καὶ ζῇ ὁ θεός σου Βηρσαβεε καὶ πεσοῦνται καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀναστῶσιν ἔτι
Footnotes:
8:1-3 - Amos sees a basket of ripe fruit, representing Israel's moral and spiritual decay. The symbolism of "ripe fruit" reflects the time of impending judgment, where sin has reached its peak (see also Jeremiah 24:1-10 and Matthew 21:33-46).
8:4-6 - The prophet denounces the oppression of the poor and the corruption of its leaders, showing that Israel pursues materialistic wealth and social injustice. The contrast between justice and exploitation reveals God's indignation against social sin (see also Isaiah 10:1-2 and James 5:1-6).
8:7-10 - The Lord swears that He will not forget Israel's sins, including the oppression of the poor and the perversion of justice. God's judgment will be like a solar eclipse, symbolizing spiritual darkness and impending death (see also Amos 5:18-20 and Luke 21:25-26).
8:11-14 - The vision of hunger and thirst for God's Word reflects Israel's spiritual crisis. The people desperately search for a word of hope, but it is too late, for God's justice will be fulfilled (see also Matthew 4:4 and Amos 5:13).
Verses related to Amós, 8:
Amos chapter 8 presents the vision of the basket of ripe fruit. What imminent judgment does God announce? This powerful text uses the image of ripe fruit to symbolize Israel ready for judgment. The chapter denounces the exploitation of the poor and predicts a famine for the word of God. Amos 8 warns of the severe consequences of continued rejection of the divine message. Examine with us five biblical passages that expand understanding of the themes of social justice and divine judgment present in this impactful chapter.
Micah 6:10-11: "Can I forget, O wicked one, the treasures stored in your house, obtained by dishonest means, and the counterfeit measure, which is accursed? Can I exonerate someone who uses dishonest scales and fake weights in their weighing bag?" - This passage from Micah echoes Amos' condemnation in Amos 8:4-6 against those who deceive in business and oppress the poor.
Revelation 6:5-6: "When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living being say, 'Come!' I looked, and in front of me was a black horse. His rider had a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying: 'One kilogram of wheat for a denarius and three kilograms of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine!'" - This vision in Revelation, like Amos 8:11-14, speaks of a time of scarcity and famine, but in this case, a spiritual famine.
Hosea 4:1-3: "Israelites, listen to the word of the Lord, because the Lord has an accusation against you who live in this land: 'There is no faithfulness, there is no love, there is no recognition of God in this land. Only curses, lies and murders, theft and adultery; they exceed in violence, one bloodshed after another. Because of this the land dries up, and all its inhabitants faint; the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.'" - Like Amos 8, this passage from Hosea describes God's judgment on the earth due to the people's injustice and unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 7:10-13: "The day has come! It arrived! Ruin broke out! The staff blossomed, arrogance sprouted! Violence rose to be a punishment against evil... The time has come, the day has arrived; let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon the whole multitude." - This passage from Ezekiel, like Amos 8:9-10, describes a day of judgment when joy will turn to mourning.
Proverbs 11:1: "The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights give him pleasure." - This proverb reflects Amos' condemnation in Amos 8:5 against those who use dishonest scales in business.
FAQ:
What does the vision of the "ripe barley" in Amos 8 mean?
The vision of "ripe barley" symbolizes the nearness of God's judgment. The harvest is ready, just as Israel's sin is ripe for judgment. (Amos 8:1-2)
What does Amos warn about dishonest trading in Amos 8?
Amos denounces dishonest trade and the exploitation of the poor. He describes a people more concerned with profit than with justice, something that will provoke God's judgment. (Amos 8:4-6)
What does the "silence" in Amos 8:3 mean?
The "silence" in Amos 8:3 represents the devastation and lack of joy after God's judgment. The people will suffer so much that there will be no room for celebration or joy. (Amos 8:3)
What does "a hunger to hear the word of God" mean in Amos 8?
The "famine of hearing God's word" refers to the spiritual scarcity that will occur when God withdraws from Israel. The people will seek God's word, but will not find it because of the judgment. (Amos 8:11-12)
How does Amos describe Israel's punishment in Amos 8?
Amos describes Israel's punishment for its sin, including economic and social collapse. God's judgment will bring suffering and desolation to the people. (Amos 8:9-10)
