Amos 1

Amos 1:1-15 . GOD'S JUDGMENTS ON SYRIA, PHILISTIA, TYRE, EDOM, AND AMMON.

1. The words of Amos--that is, Amos' oracular communications. A heading found only in Jeremiah 1:1 .
among the herdmen--rather, "shepherds"; both owning and tending sheep; from an Arabic root, "to mark with pricks," namely, to select the best among a species of sheep and goats ill-shapen and short-footed (as others explain the name from an Arabic root), but distinguished by their wool [MAURER]. God chooses "the weak things of the world to confound the mighty," and makes a humble shepherd reprove the arrogance of Israel and her king arising from prosperity (compare 1 Samuel 17:40 ).
which he saw--in supernatural vision ( Isaiah 1:1 ).
two years before the earthquake--mentioned in Zechariah 14:5 . The earthquake occurred in Uzziah's reign, at the time of his being stricken with leprosy for usurping the priest's functions [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 9:10.4]. This clause must have been inserted by Ezra and the compilers of the Jewish canon.

2. will roar--as a lion ( Joel 3:16 ). Whereas Jehovah is there represented roaring in Israel's behalf, here He roars against her (compare Psalms 18:13 , Jeremiah 25:30 ).
from Zion . . . Jerusalem--the seat of the theocracy, from which ye have revolted; not from Dan and Beth-el, the seat of your idolatrous worship of the calves.
habitations . . . mourn--poetical personification. Their inhabitants shall mourn, imparting a sadness to the very habitations.
Carmel--the mountain promontory north of Israel, in Asher, abounding in rich pastures, olives, and vines. The name is the symbol of fertility. When Carmel itself "withers," how utter the desolation! ( Solomon 7:5 , Isaiah 33:9 , 35:2 , Jeremiah 50:19 , Nahum 1:4 ).