Page 43 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

The book of Amos is filled with imagery related to sin and judgment. Included are images of iron teeth
(1:3), murdered pregnant women (1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (2:9), and hooks
(4:2). How are we to understand these violent themes?

First, we must understand the context of these descriptions. Amos is pronouncing judgment on Israel’s
enemies, and then on Israel itself, for some specific sins. The purpose of prophesying doom was often
to call sinners to repent. That’s why God sent Jonah to preach in Nineveh, telling the people God would
judge their city in 40 days. The Ninevites repented, and God did not bring about judgment. The Lord
had compassion for those who repented.

A brief look at each of the images in Amos more fully explains what they indicate:

- Iron teeth (1:3): “Iron teeth” were part of a threshing sledge, a farming implement drawn over grain
to thresh it and cut the stalks. God pictures Syria’s cruelty toward Gilead (in northeast Israel) as a
threshing sledge being run over His people. For their brutality, Syria is promised judgment.

- Murdered pregnant women (1:13): The Ammonites would be judged for performing atrocities against
Israel. Second Kings 8:12 and 15:16 confirm the reality of such horrific acts during war.

- Burning bones (2:1): The Moabites would be judged for their sin of the disrespectful treatment of an
Edomite king’s corpse (2 Kings 3:26-27). In a culture in which a proper burial was of utmost importance,
the burning of bones communicated a severe hatred.

- Destroyed roots (2:9): This is a picture of God’s judgment on the Amorites, as the “fruit above” and
the “roots beneath” were destroyed—in other words, the Amorites were completely wiped out. God
reminds Israel of the Amorites’ fate in order to call His people back to righteousness and the fear of
God.

- Hooks (4:2): This is part of a prophecy against Israel, warning them that the Assyrians would one day
take them captive. Israel would be led away as fish were carried away on hooks. It is believed the
“hooks” could be literal, since Assyrians did at times lead captives with ropes attached to rings in the
jaws or lips or noses of their enemies.

"What was the significance of the horns of the altar (Amos 3:14)?"

In speaking of judgment, God says, “The horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground” (Amos
3:14). What were these horns of the altar? Why were they important?

The “horns” were horn-like projections at the four corners of the altar of burnt offering. God’s
instructions for the altar’s construction specified “horns”: “Make a horn at each of the four corners, so
that the horns and the altar are of one piece” (Exodus 27:2).

During Amos’s day, the Israelites had apostatized and had erected altars to false gods. First Kings 12:26-
30 speaks of two such pagan altars set up in Israel, one in Dan and one in Bethel. These altars had been
constructed with horns at the corners, akin to the altar in Jerusalem.

When God says that the horns of the altar would fall off, He is assuring Israel that He would judge their
idolatry. Indeed, God says earlier in the same verse, “On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will

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