Amos 8:7-14

7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Ya`akov, "Surely I will never forget any of their works.

8 Won't the land tremble for this, And everyone mourn who dwells in it? Yes, it will rise up wholly like the River; And it will be stirred up and sink again, like the River of Mitzrayim.

9 "It will happen in that day," says the Lord GOD, "That I will cause the sun to go down at noon, And I will darken the eretz in the clear day.

10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; And I will make you wear sackcloth on all your bodies, And baldness on every head. I will make it like the mourning for an only son, And the end of it like a bitter day.

11 Behold, the days come," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD.

12 They will wander from sea to sea, And from the north even to the east; They will run back and forth to seek the word of the LORD, And will not find it.

13 In that day the beautiful virgins And the young men will faint for thirst.

14 Those who swear by the sin of Shomron, And say, 'As your god, Dan, lives;' And, 'As the way of Be'er-Sheva lives;' They will fall, and never rise up again."

Amos 8:7-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 8

In this chapter a fourth vision is delivered, the vision of a "basket of summer fruit"; signifying the destruction of the ten tribes, for which they were ripe, and which would quickly come upon them, Am 8:1-3; the rich are reproved for their oppression of the poor, their covetousness and earthly mindedness, Am 8:4-6; for which they are threatened with entire ruin, sudden calamities, and very mournful times, instead of light, joy, and gladness, Am 8:7-10; and particularly with a famine of hearing the word of God, Am 8:11,12; the consequence of which would be, a fainting of the young men and virgins for thirst, and the utter and irrecoverable ruin of all idolaters, Am 8:13,14.