Amos (Prophet)

Amos was a herdsman who lived in the village of Tekoa, before becoming a prophet during the reign of King Uzziah. Amos was not the first Bible prophet, but he was the first prophet to have his prophecies recorded in a separate book of the Bible; namely, the Book of Amos.

Amos prophesied about 760 BC during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah, and Jeroboam II of Israel. He left Judah and went to Israel. He had a short ministry. Amos predicted the overthrow of Israel by the Assyrians. He and also predicted the doom of Judah, and the doom of the surrounding nations.

In his prophecies against Israel, Amos spoke of the social sins of the day, such as greed, corruption, false worship, and injustice. His book ends with a scant hope that the people of Israel would listen and heed the warnings.

Amos' ministry is dated two years before a great earthquake, which was remembered over 200 years later.

His book is third third book in the twelve minor prophets according to Hebrew order. This concurs with the final order of the Old Testament that is found in the English Bible of today.