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Amos 3:8

8 The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— who can but prophesy?

Amos 3:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 The lion has roared— so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message?
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 The lion has roared - who isn't frightened? God has spoken - what prophet can keep quiet?
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 The lion has roared. Who isn't afraid? The Almighty LORD has spoken. Who can keep from prophesying?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 A lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who will not prophesy?
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 A lion has roared. Who isn't afraid? The LORD and King has spoken. Who can do anything but prophesy?

Amos 3:8 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 3:8

The lion hath roared, who will not fear?
&c.] Amos said this from his own experience, who, having been a herdsman in the wilderness of Tekoa, had often heard a lion roar, which had put him into a panic, both for himself, and the cattle he kept; the figure is explained in the next clause: the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
whether it be to foretell future events, which the Lord has made known shall come to pass; or to preach the word, which is to prophesy to edification, to exhortation, and comfort, ( 1 Corinthians 14:3 ) ; or to perform the more private exercises of religion, as singing of psalms, praying ( 1 Chronicles 25:1-3 ) ( 1 Corinthians 11:4 1 Corinthians 11:5 ) ; these things who can forbear doing, to whom the Lord has spoken either in a dream or vision, or in his word, and by his Spirit; and to whom he has given a call and commissions, and gifts and graces, qualifying them for such service? who that has the fear of God in his heart, and his glory in view, and the good of others, that can refrain from it? nay, it is of dangerous consequence to refuse it; for if the roaring of a lion is so terrible, and if the wrath of an earthly king is as the roaring of a lion, much more the wrath and displeasure of the King of kings. Jonah declined prophesying when the Lord spoke to him, but what was the consequence of it? the prophet by this seems to justify himself in prophesying, and that he ought not to be blamed for it, seeing the Lord had given him the word, and therefore he ought to publish it. This may be particularly applied to the ministers of the word, who have a call, a charge and gifts from Christ, and on whom there is a necessity laid to preach the Gospel; and who should not shut, to declare it on any account; nor can they, who have it in their hearts, and as fire in their bones; who have seen and heard, and handled of the word of life, let what will be the consequence of it; see ( Psalms 68:11 ) ( Acts 4:20 ) ( Acts 5:20 Acts 5:29 ) ( 1 Corinthians 9:16 ) .

Amos 3:8 In-Context

6 When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
7 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— who can but prophesy?
9 Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod and to the fortresses of Egypt: “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people.”
10 “They do not know how to do right,” declares the LORD, “who store up in their fortresses what they have plundered and looted.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Isaiah 31:4
  • 2. S Isaiah 42:13
  • 3. S Jeremiah 20:9; John 1:1-3; Jonah 3:1-3; Acts 4:20
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.