7:1 Lord Yahweh showed me A characteristic opening for Amos’ vision reports (e.g., Amos 7:6–7; 8:1).

locusts A migratory insect that travels in swarms. A swarm of locusts can be devastating to the crops. See note on Joel 1:4.

the beginning of the sprouting of the second crop Israel’s growing season had two main crops. The first was planted in autumn and harvested in the spring. The second was planted during the winter and harvested in early summer. The growth was supported by the early and late rain cycle. See note on Joel 2:23.

the mowings of the king The king apparently received a large portion of the first crop, so the locusts threatened the second crop that was probably the share of the average farmer.

7:2 they finished eating the vegetation of The locust plague had progressed before Amos intervened.

O Lord Yahweh, please forgive The prophet intercedes, asking Yahweh to relent from judgment (compare Ezek 9:8; 11:13; note on Jer 7:16–29).

7:3 Yahweh relented Yahweh relents from total judgment in these first two visions. This sets up a pattern of expectation that if the people repent or the prophet intercedes, they may avert judgment. Compare Jer 15:1 and note.

7:4 a legal case with fire The second vision is of judgment coming by fire, which is a common agent of divine punishment (see note on Isa 4:4).

7:5 O Lord Yahweh, please stop Amos intercedes a second time. See Amos 7:2 and note.

7:7 a wall built with a plummet The third vision involves a metaphor for construction or demolition.

7:9 The high places of Local religious shrines. See note on Isa 57:7.

the house of Jeroboam Probably a reference to the current king, Jeroboam II (see note on Hos 1:1). However, the criticism of illicit sanctuaries may indicate this reference does double duty: it alludes to Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who established the Israelite shrines at Dan and Bethel, as well as the current king.

7:10 Amaziah the priest of Bethel Likely the chief priest of the shrine at Bethel. See note on 3:14.

Jeroboam the king of Israel Jeroboam II reigned 786–746 bc. See note on Hos 1:1.

Amos has conspired against you His prophecy in Amos 7:8–9 was interpreted as a threat against the king. Amaziah’s report of Amos’ words, however, doesn’t align with anything specific that Amos has said thus far in the book.

is not able to endure all of his words Compare Jer 38:4.

7:11 Jeroboam will die by the sword An interpretation of Amos 7:9.

Israel will certainly go into exile Exile has been foreshadowed as punishment throughout the book of Amos. See 4:2–3; 5:5, 27; 6:7.

7:12 O seer Amaziah may be intentionally avoiding calling Amos a prophet by using the Hebrew word that means “seer.” Amaziah is more concerned with the location where Amos is prophesying than with the fact that he is prophesying at all. He orders Amos to return to Judah and prophesy there.

earn food there Alludes to the prophets who earn their livelihood by prophesying (compare Mic 3:5).

7:13 a sanctuary of a king He does not identify it as Yahweh’s sanctuary. This confrontation may have been recorded to emphasize how far Israel had strayed from truly following Yahweh.

7:14 I am not a prophet Amos insists that he is a layman, not a professional prophet. He does not earn his keep through prophecy.

a son of a prophet Possibly alludes to the prophetic guild mentioned in 1–2 Kings. See note on 2 Kgs 2:3.

I am a herdsman and I am one taking care of sycamore trees See note on Amos 1:1.

7:17 Your wife will become a prostitute Amaziah’s punishment is the loss of his family and standing in society. He will lose his wife, children, property, and purity. The Hebrew verbs here could be understood as expressing a wish or pronouncing a curse.