^7:14Amos replied²⁹ to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet by profession.³⁰ No,³¹ I was a herdsman who also took care of³² sycamore fig trees.³³^7:15Then the Lord took me from tending³⁴ flocks and gave me this commission,³⁵ ‘Go! Prophesy to my people Israel!’

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Footnotes

29 Heb “replied and said.” The phrase “and said” is pleonastic (redundant) and has not been included in the translation.
30 Heb “I was not a prophet nor was I the son of a prophet.” The phrase “son of a prophet” refers to one who was trained in a prophetic guild. Since there is no equative verb present in the Hebrew text, another option is to translate with the present tense, “I am not a prophet by profession.” In this case Amos, though now carrying out a prophetic ministry (v. 15), denies any official or professional prophetic status. Modern English versions are divided about whether to understand the past (, , ) or present tense (, , , ) here.
31 Heb “for.”
32 Heb “gashed”; or “pierced.” For a discussion of the agricultural background, see O. Borowski, Agriculture in Iron Age Israel, 128–29.
33 It is possible that herdsmen agreed to care for sycamore fig trees in exchange for grazing rights. See P. King, Amos, Hosea, Micah, 116–17. Since these trees do not grow around Tekoa but rather in the lowlands, another option is that Amos owned other property outside his hometown. In this case, this verse demonstrates his relative wealth and is his response to Amaziah; he did not depend on prophecy as a profession (v. 13).
34 Heb “from [following] after.”
35 Heb “and the Lord said to me.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

CSBChristian Standard Bible

So Amos answered Amaziah, “I was not a prophet or the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman, and I took care of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ ”

NLTNew Living Translation

But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet and I am not a son of a prophet, but I am a herdsman and I am one taking care of sycamore trees. And Yahweh took me from following behind the sheep and goats and Yahweh said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel!

KJV 1900King James Version

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

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