Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. New Living Translation “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. English Standard Version “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. Berean Standard Bible Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. King James Bible Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: New King James Version “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. New American Standard Bible “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. NASB 1995 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. NASB 1977 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible “Behold, days are coming,” declares Lord Yahweh, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of Yahweh. Amplified Bible “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “When I will send hunger over the land, Not hunger for bread or a thirst for water, But rather [a hunger] for hearing the words of the LORD. Christian Standard Bible Look, the days are coming — this is the declaration of the Lord GOD — when I will send a famine through the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. Holman Christian Standard Bible Hear this! The days are coming— this is the declaration of the Lord GOD— when I will send a famine through the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. American Standard Version Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. Contemporary English Version I, the LORD, also promise you a terrible shortage, but not of food and water. You will hunger and thirst to hear my message. English Revised Version Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation The days are going to come, declares the Almighty LORD, when I will send a famine throughout the land. It won't be an ordinary famine or drought. Instead, there will be a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Good News Translation "The time is coming when I will send famine on the land. People will be hungry, but not for bread; they will be thirsty, but not for water. They will hunger and thirst for a message from the LORD. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. International Standard Version "Look! The days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "when I will send a famine throughout the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water— but rather a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. NET Bible Be certain of this, the time is coming," says the sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a shortage of food or water but an end to divine revelation! New Heart English Bible Look, the days come," says the LORD, "that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBehold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. World English Bible Behold, the days come,” says the Lord Yahweh, “that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing Yahweh’s words. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, days are coming,” "" A declaration of Lord YHWH, "" “And I have sent a famine into the land, "" Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, "" But of hearing the words of YHWH. Young's Literal Translation Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation Behold, the days coming, says the Lord Jehovah, and I sent famine into the land; not a famine for bread, and not a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold the days come, saith the Lord, and I will send forth a famine into the land: not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, the days pass, says the Lord, and I will send a famine on the earth: not a famine of bread, nor of thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord. New American Bible See, days are coming—oracle of the Lord GOD— when I will send a famine upon the land: Not a hunger for bread, or a thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the LORD. New Revised Standard Version The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the LORD; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, days are coming, says LORD JEHOVAH, and I shall send a famine in the earth, not a hungering for bread and not a thirsting for water, but for hearing the word of LORD JEHOVAH OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send forth a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Basket of Ripe Fruit…10I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. 11Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. 12People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.… Cross References Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” John 6:35 Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. John 7:37-38 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, Hebrews 5:12-14 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Revelation 7:16 ‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ Isaiah 55:1-3 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Isaiah 29:10-12 For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. / And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. Ezekiel 7:26 Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. Treasury of Scripture Behold, the days come, said the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: but. 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Samuel 28:6,15 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets… Psalm 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. Jump to Previous Affirmation Bread Declares Desire Famine Food Great Hearing Need Rather Sovereign Thirst Times Water WordsJump to Next Affirmation Bread Declares Desire Famine Food Great Hearing Need Rather Sovereign Thirst Times Water WordsAmos 8 1. By a basket of summer fruit is shown the approach of Israel's end.4. Oppression is reproved. 11. A famine of the word of God threatened. Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD This phrase introduces a prophetic announcement, emphasizing the certainty and divine authority behind the message. The use of "Behold" serves as a call to attention, indicating the importance of what follows. The phrase "the days are coming" is often used in prophetic literature to signal future events that are part of God's sovereign plan. This is similar to other prophetic declarations found in Jeremiah 7:32 and Isaiah 39:6, where impending judgment or significant change is foretold. The title "Lord GOD" underscores the authority and sovereignty of God, reminding the audience of His ultimate control over history and events. when I will send a famine on the land not a famine of bread or a thirst for water but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver messages to the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies often focused on social justice and divine judgment. 2. Israel The northern kingdom, which was experiencing prosperity but also moral and spiritual decay. Amos directed his prophecies towards their injustices and idolatry. 3. The Lord GOD The sovereign deity of Israel, who speaks through Amos to warn of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience and neglect of His word. 4. Famine Typically understood as a severe shortage of food, but in this context, it symbolizes a lack of spiritual nourishment and guidance from God. 5. Hearing the Words of the LORD Refers to the reception and understanding of God's messages, which were delivered through His prophets. Teaching Points Spiritual HungerJust as physical hunger drives us to seek food, spiritual hunger should drive us to seek God's word. We must prioritize spiritual nourishment in our lives. Consequences of Neglect Ignoring God's word leads to spiritual famine. We must be diligent in studying and applying Scripture to avoid spiritual drought. Value of Prophetic Voice The absence of God's word is a severe judgment. We should cherish and heed the teachings of Scripture and those who faithfully proclaim it. Active Listening Hearing God's word requires more than passive listening; it demands active engagement and obedience. Preparation for Spiritual Famine In times of spiritual abundance, we should store up God's word in our hearts to withstand future challenges. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Amos 8:11?2. How can we prepare for a "famine of hearing the words of the LORD"? 3. What causes a spiritual famine according to Amos 8:11 and other scriptures? 4. How does Amos 8:11 relate to 2 Timothy 4:3-4 about sound doctrine? 5. In what ways can we ensure we are not spiritually starving today? 6. How can churches prevent a "famine of hearing" in their congregations? 7. What does Amos 8:11 mean by a "famine of hearing the words of the LORD"? 8. How does Amos 8:11 relate to modern spiritual apathy? 9. Why would God allow a spiritual famine as described in Amos 8:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Amos 8? 11. If Amos 8:11–12 prophesies a famine for God’s word, where is the historical or archaeological evidence of such a widespread spiritual drought? 12. What does "Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord" mean? 13. What does 'Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord' mean? 14. What role did Egyptians play in biblical narratives? What Does Amos 8:11 Mean Behold, the days are comingThe opening summons catches attention and sets an unshakable timetable. God’s warning is not hypothetical; it is on the calendar. Similar prophetic introductions underscore certainty: “The days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth” (Jeremiah 7:32). For Israel—and for any generation—this means: • There is still a short window to repent (cf. Amos 5:6). • God’s patience has limits; His long-suffering will give way to decisive action (2 Peter 3:9-10). declares the Lord GOD The double divine title (“Lord GOD,” Adonai YHWH in most English translations) reminds us that the message carries the full weight of the Sovereign Ruler and Covenant LORD. When He speaks, refusal is rebellion: “The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?” (Amos 3:8). Every word is infallible, binding, and personal. when I will send a famine on the land— Notice the subject: God Himself. Famine is not random climate fluctuation but deliberate discipline, as earlier judgments in Amos showed (Amos 4:6-8). By taking credit, the Lord reiterates His control over both nature and nation: • He used literal famine before (2 Kings 8:1). • He promised it as covenant chastening (Deuteronomy 28:23-24). The audience would feel a chill; drought and crop failure were vivid memories. not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, The clarification jolts the hearer. God is not talking about pantry shelves or empty wells. He alludes to something even more devastating. The contrast mirrors Deuteronomy 8:3—“man does not live on bread alone”—and prepares the heart for a deeper hunger. Jesus later echoes this hierarchy of needs: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Silence from heaven is the ultimate judgment. Without God’s voice: • Guidance disappears (Psalm 119:105). • Hope withers (Psalm 119:81). • Moral chaos erupts (Judges 21:25). Old Testament precedents show the terror of such silence: “In those days the word of the LORD was rare” (1 Samuel 3:1); “There are no more prophets, and none of us knows how long this will last” (Psalm 74:9). Isaiah warns of “people… ever hearing but never understanding” (Isaiah 6:9-10, quoted in Matthew 13:14-15). In the New Testament, deliberate deafness invites strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11). The famine Amos foretells drives people to frantic but futile searches (Amos 8:12); when light is refused, darkness follows. summary Amos 8:11 announces a coming day when God withdraws the priceless gift of His spoken word. Physical famines harm the body; this famine starves the soul. Because the warning is certain (“Behold, the days are coming”) and because the Sender is the Sovereign LORD, the only safe response is immediate repentance and renewed hunger for Scripture. When God’s voice is prized, the famine lifts and the Living Word satisfies forever. Verse 11. - This shall be the bitterness at the end; they had rejected the warnings of the prophets (Amos 7:12, etc.); now the Word of God and the light of his teaching should fail them. Famine. When the light of God's revelation is withdrawn, their longing for the Word, however sore and great, shall remain unsatisfied, like that of Saul (1 Samuel 28:6). They may grieve like the psalmist, "We see not our signs; there is no more any prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth how long" (Psalm 74:9); but it will be in vain (see a similar punishment threatened, Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26; Micah 3:7).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Behold!הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! The days יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day are coming,” בָּאִ֗ים (bā·’îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go declares נְאֻם֙ (nə·’um) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD, יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH “when I will send וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֥י (wə·hiš·laḥ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out a famine רָעָ֖ב (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger on the land— בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no a famine רָעָ֤ב (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger of bread לַלֶּ֙חֶם֙ (lal·le·ḥem) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain or a thirst צָמָ֣א (ṣā·mā) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6772: Thirst for water, לַמַּ֔יִם (lam·ma·yim) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen but [a famine] כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction of hearing לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ (liš·mō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently the words דִּבְרֵ֥י (diḇ·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links Amos 8:11 NIVAmos 8:11 NLT Amos 8:11 ESV Amos 8:11 NASB Amos 8:11 KJV Amos 8:11 BibleApps.com Amos 8:11 Biblia Paralela Amos 8:11 Chinese Bible Amos 8:11 French Bible Amos 8:11 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Amos 8:11 Behold the days come says the Lord (Amo. 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