The opening two chapters of Amos repeatedly introduce each of the nations with the form, x … x + 1, which also occurs in Wisdom literature (cf. Prov. 30). This increases the expectation that the fourth item will be the worst example of a national sin bringing judgment. In this case only the fourth sin is mentioned. It leads to a vivid description of the terrifying judgment of God. The order of the nations begins with geographical neighbors to the north and west, and then reflects