◄ Amos 8 ►
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The Basket of Summer Fruit

1This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit.a

2“Amos, what do you see?” He asked.

“A basket of summer fruit,” I replied.

So the LORD said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.”

3“In that day,” declares the Lord GOD, “the songsb of the templec will turn to wailing. Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!”

4Hear this, you who trample the needy,

who do away with the poor of the land,

5asking, “When will the New Moon be over,

that we may sell grain?

When will the Sabbath end,

that we may market wheat?

Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel;d

let us cheat with dishonest scales.

6Let us buy the poor with silver

and the needy for a pair of sandals,

selling even the chaff with the wheat!”

7The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob:

“I will never forget any of their deeds.

8Will not the land quake for this,

and all its dwellers mourn?

All of it will swell like the Nile;

it will surge and then subside

like the Nile in Egypt.

9And in that day,

declares the Lord GOD,

I will make the sun go down at noon,

and I will darken the earth in the daytime.

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.

13In that day the lovely young women—

the young men as well—

will faint from thirst.

14Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria

and say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’

or, ‘As surely as the waye of Beersheba lives’—

they will fall, never to rise again.”

Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible.

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Amos 8 Summary
The Basket of Summer Fruit

Verses 1–2 – Basket of Summer Fruit
Amos sees a ripe basket of summer fruit. The LORD asks, “Amos, what do you see?” and the prophet replies, “A basket of summer fruit.” The Hebrew words for “summer fruit” (qayitz) and “end” (qetz) sound alike. God turns the pun into a verdict: “The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.” The sweetness of the fruit mirrors Israel’s outward prosperity; its ripeness signals that judgment cannot be postponed.

Verse 3 – Temple Lamentation
The festive music of the palace (or temple) will shift to wailing. “Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!” The very center of worship and power becomes a morgue, underscoring how religious ritual without justice brings death, not life.

Verses 4–6 – Oppression and Dishonesty
God indicts merchants who “trample the needy” and cannot wait for the Sabbath to end so they can reopen business. They shrink the measure, inflate the price, and cheat with scales—buying the poor “for a pair of sandals” and mixing chaff with grain. Social injustice and fake piety walk hand-in-hand.

Verses 7–10 – Inevitable Judgment
The LORD swears “by the Pride of Jacob” never to forget these deeds. The land will quake, rise and fall like the Nile, the sun will set at noon, festivals will turn to funerals, and every head will be shaved in grief. The whole nation will mourn “like the mourning for an only son.”

Verses 11–12 – Famine of the Word
A coming famine will not be of bread or water but “of hearing the words of the LORD.” People will stagger from sea to sea in vain pursuit of divine guidance. Having despised the prophetic word, they will discover how barren life is without it.

Verses 13–14 – Collapse of Idolatry
“Lovely young women—the young men as well—will faint from thirst.” Swearers by the calf-idol of Samaria, by “your god, O Dan,” or by the shrine road to Beersheba, will fall and never rise again. Their idols cannot save them when the true God withdraws His voice.

Amos 8 is a powerful chapter in the book of Amos, where the prophet Amos shares a divine vision of a basket of summer fruit, symbolizing the impending judgement of Israel. This chapter features strong criticism of the moral and spiritual decay of the people of Israel and reveals God's plan to punish their societal injustices and corrupt practices.

Historical Setting

Amos preached in the northern kingdom (Israel) during the long, prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (ca. 793-753 BC). Archaeology at Samaria and other sites shows lavish ivory inlays (1 Kings 22:39; Amos 3:15) and large storehouses—signs of wealth built on the backs of the poor. Peace with Assyria gave Israel booming trade, yet moral rot festered beneath the gold veneer.

The Summer Fruit Word-Play

Hebrew prophets loved puns. Qayitz (קָיִץ) means late-summer figs; qetz (קֵץ) means end. When Amos says, “A basket of summer fruit,” the LORD replies, “The end has come.” Listeners would have flinched—like hearing a bell toll at harvest festival. Ripe fruit spoils quickly; Israel’s national “rot” would follow just as fast.

Economic Exploitation and the Law

• Deuteronomy 25:13-16 forbids differing weights.

• Leviticus 19:35-36 demands honest scales.

• Exodus 23:10-12 protects Sabbaths for rest.

Amos shows that Israel ignored these commands. Greed even hijacked sacred times: merchants treated Sabbath and new-moon celebrations as boring pauses in cash flow.

Archaeological Notes on Weights and Measures

Hundreds of stone weights stamped “shekel,” “pim,” or “beka” have been unearthed. Many weigh less than their inscription claims—proof that shaved stones were common. Amos’ accusation about “a smaller measure and a larger weight” is literal, not poetic.

Earthquake Imagery and the Nile

Verse 8 pictures the land rising and falling “like the Nile.” Egyptians watched the Nile swell, then recede. Amos uses that cycle for a nationwide quake. Zechariah 14:5 recalls “the earthquake in the days of Uzziah,” the very quake modern geologists date to about 760 BC—within Amos’ lifetime.

Solar Darkness at Noon

Verse 9 predicts midday darkness. The Assyrian eclipse of June 15, 763 BC crossed Nineveh with near-totality and would have dimmed daylight across the region. Whether Amos references that event or prophesies a fresh one, the point is cosmic disapproval—echoed at Christ’s crucifixion when “darkness came over all the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour” (Matthew 27:45).

Famine of Hearing God’s Word

Israel wanted voices that tickled ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4). God’s worst judgment is silence. Between Malachi and John the Baptist, roughly 400 years passed with no recognized prophet—an Old Testament echo of Amos 8:11-12. Jesus warns, “Take care how you listen” (Luke 8:18), urging hearts to treasure the word lest they lose it.

Comparative Texts

• Isaiah 1:13-17—God hates hollow festivals.

• Micah 6:11—“Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales?”

• Hosea 4:6—“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

• James 5:1-6—rich oppressors’ wages cry out.

Amos stands in a prophetic chorus: justice, truth, mercy, and covenant faithfulness outweigh ritual pomp.

Idolatry in Dan and Beersheba

Jeroboam I set up golden calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:26-30). Pilgrim roads southward to Beersheba featured illicit shrines. Excavations at Tel Dan uncovered a massive high place that matches the biblical description. Amos unmasks the self-assurance of those who swear by these local deities: their “gods” will collapse with them.

Echoes in the New Testament

• Luke 6:20-26 contrasts the complacent rich with the blessed poor.

• Acts 8:18-23 depicts Simon’s attempt to buy spiritual power—commerce in the holy.

• Revelation 6:12-17 parallels cosmic upheaval: sun darkened, moon like blood, sky receding.

Practical Takeaways for Modern Believers

1. Prosperity can dull spiritual senses. Comfort is not proof of God’s approval.

2. Business ethics are worship issues. Fraudulent ledgers are as offensive to God as idol altars.

3. Time belongs to God. Treating Sunday (or any set-aside time) as a nuisance empties worship of meaning.

4. Scripture is bread. Neglect it, and a personal “famine of the word” follows—direction dries up, and hearts starve.

5. Darkness at noon reminds us that even creation groans when sin peaks. Christ bore that darkness so we might walk in light (John 8:12).

The basket is still on the table: ripe fruit, ticking clock. Hear and live.

Connections to Additional Scriptures
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. This verse emphasizes the guiding power of God's Word.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Encourages seeking the Lord while He may be found, highlighting the urgency of repentance.

Matthew 4:4
Jesus affirms the necessity of living by every word that comes from the mouth of God, underscoring the importance of Scripture.

James 1:22
Calls believers to be doers of the Word, not just hearers, reinforcing the need for active obedience.
Teaching Points
The Vision of the Summer Fruit
Amos 8:1-2 describes a vision of ripe summer fruit, symbolizing the imminent judgment on Israel. The fruit's ripeness indicates that the time for repentance has passed, and judgment is at hand.

The Injustice and Oppression
Verses 4-6 highlight the social injustices and exploitation prevalent in Israel. The people are accused of trampling the needy and manipulating the market for personal gain.

The Certainty of Judgment
In verses 7-10, God swears by the pride of Jacob that He will not forget their deeds. The coming judgment is described with vivid imagery, including mourning and darkness.

The Famine of God's Word
Verses 11-12 warn of a famine, not of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. This spiritual famine signifies a withdrawal of divine revelation due to the people's persistent disobedience.

The Desperation of the People
In verses 13-14, the people will wander from sea to sea, seeking the word of the Lord but will not find it. This desperation underscores the severity of being cut off from God's guidance.
Practical Applications
Value God's Word
Prioritize regular reading and meditation on Scripture to avoid spiritual famine in your life.

Seek Justice and Righteousness
Reflect on your actions and attitudes towards others, ensuring they align with God's standards of justice and compassion.

Repentance and Obedience
Recognize the importance of timely repentance and obedience to God's commands to avert spiritual consequences.

Discernment in Times of Silence
In seasons where God seems silent, remain faithful and trust in His timing and purposes.
People
1. The Lord GOD
The primary speaker in the chapter, delivering a message of judgment through the prophet Amos. The Hebrew term used is "Adonai YHWH," emphasizing God's sovereignty and authority.

2. Amos
The prophet who receives the vision from God. Although not mentioned by name in this specific chapter, he is the one conveying the message. Amos is a shepherd and a fig farmer called by God to prophesy to Israel.

3. The People of Israel
The recipients of the prophecy, who are being warned of impending judgment due to their social injustices and religious hypocrisy. The Hebrew term "Yisra'el" refers to the descendants of Jacob, the chosen people of God.

4. Merchants
Those who exploit the poor and manipulate the market for personal gain. The text criticizes their dishonest practices, such as skimping on measures and using dishonest scales.

5. The Needy and the Poor
Victims of the merchants' exploitation. The Hebrew terms "ebyon" (needy) and "ani" (poor) highlight their vulnerable social status and the injustices they suffer.
Places
Amos 8 in the Berean Standard Bible does not specifically mention any places by name. The chapter primarily focuses on the visions and prophecies given to Amos, concerning the impending judgment on Israel. Since there are no specific geographical locations mentioned in Amos 8, a numbered list of places cannot be provided. The chapter deals with themes of social injustice, religious hypocrisy, and the consequences of turning away from God, rather than specific locations.
Events
1. Vision of the Basket of Summer Fruit
"This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit." (Amos 8:1)
The Hebrew word for "summer fruit" is "קָיִץ" (qayits), symbolizing the end or ripeness, indicating that Israel's time is ripe for judgment.

2. The End Has Come for Israel
"And He said, 'Amos, what do you see?' 'A basket of summer fruit,' I replied. So the LORD said to me, 'The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.'" (Amos 8:2)
The word "end" in Hebrew is "קֵץ" (qets), which is a play on words with "summer fruit" (qayits), emphasizing the finality of God's judgment.

3. Songs Turned to Wailing
"In that day, declares the Lord GOD, the songs of the temple will turn to wailing. Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!" (Amos 8:3)
The transformation from songs to wailing signifies a complete reversal of joy to mourning, highlighting the severity of the coming judgment.

4. Condemnation of Oppression and Injustice
"Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land," (Amos 8:4)
The Hebrew verb "לִשְׁאוֹף" (lish'of) means "to trample" or "to pant after," indicating the aggressive exploitation of the poor.

5. Dishonest Trade Practices
"asking, 'When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat?—with smaller ephahs and larger shekels, and with dishonest scales.'" (Amos 8:5)
The use of "smaller ephahs" and "larger shekels" refers to deceitful business practices, violating the ethical standards set by God.

6. Swearing by the Pride of Jacob
"The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: 'I will never forget any of their deeds.'" (Amos 8:7)
"Pride of Jacob" is a reference to God's own glory and honor, underscoring the seriousness of the oath and the certainty of judgment.

7. Earthquake and Darkness
"Will not the land tremble for this, and all who dwell in it mourn? All of it will rise like the Nile; it will surge and then subside like the Nile in Egypt." (Amos 8:8)
The imagery of the Nile's flooding represents upheaval and instability, symbolizing the coming disaster.

8. Famine of Hearing the Words of the LORD
"'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.'" (Amos 8:11)
This spiritual famine indicates a withdrawal of divine revelation, a dire consequence of persistent disobedience.

9. Desperate Search for the Word of the LORD
"People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it." (Amos 8:12)
The futility of their search underscores the severity of the judgment, as access to God's guidance is cut off.

10. Young People's Despair
"In that day the lovely young women—the young men as well—will faint from thirst." (Amos 8:13)
The physical thirst symbolizes spiritual desolation, affecting even the strongest and most vibrant members of society.

11. Idolatry and Its Consequences
"Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria, who say, 'As surely as your god lives, O Dan,' or, 'As surely as the way of Beersheba lives'—they will fall, never to rise again." (Amos 8:14)
The reference to idolatry in Samaria, Dan, and Beersheba highlights the spiritual infidelity that leads to their downfall.
Topics
1. The Vision of the Basket of Ripe Fruit
Amos 8 begins with a vision given to the prophet Amos, where he sees a basket of ripe fruit. This vision symbolizes the imminent judgment on Israel. The Hebrew word for "ripe" (קָיִץ, qayits) is a play on words with "end" (קֵץ, qets), indicating that the time of Israel's judgment is near. The Lord says, "The end has come for My people Israel; I will spare them no longer" (Amos 8:2).

2. The Injustice and Oppression of the Poor
The chapter highlights the social injustices and exploitation of the poor by the wealthy. The merchants are described as eager for the new moon and Sabbath to be over so they can resume their dishonest practices, such as skimping on measures and cheating with dishonest scales. This reflects a violation of the covenantal laws that demanded justice and fairness. "You who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land" (Amos 8:4).

3. The Swearing of the LORD's Oath
God swears by the pride of Jacob that He will never forget the deeds of the unjust. This oath underscores the certainty of divine judgment. The phrase "pride of Jacob" can be interpreted as either the land of Israel or God's own glory, emphasizing the seriousness of the oath. "The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: 'I will never forget any of their deeds'" (Amos 8:7).

4. The Coming Earthquake and Darkness
Amos prophesies a day of mourning and darkness, likening it to an earthquake and an eclipse. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the upheaval and calamity that will accompany God's judgment. "Will not the land tremble for this, and all who dwell in it mourn?" (Amos 8:8).

5. The Famine of Hearing the Words of the LORD
A unique aspect of the judgment is a spiritual famine, not of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. This signifies a withdrawal of divine guidance and revelation, leaving the people in spiritual desolation. "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" (Amos 8:11).

6. The Desperation and Futility of Seeking God's Word
In their desperation, people will wander from sea to sea and from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD but will not find it. This reflects the futility and hopelessness of those who have rejected God's word when it was available. "People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it" (Amos 8:12).

7. The Fall of the Young and Beautiful
The chapter concludes with a lament over the young men and women who will faint from thirst, symbolizing the loss of vitality and hope. This serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. "In that day the lovely young women—the young men as well—will faint from thirst" (Amos 8:13).
Themes
1. The Vision of the Summer Fruit
Amos 8 begins with a vision of a basket of summer fruit, symbolizing the imminent end for Israel. The Hebrew word for "summer fruit" (קַיִץ, ^qayits^) is a play on words with "end" (קֵץ, ^qets^), indicating that Israel's time is ripe for judgment.
^“This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit.”^ (Amos 8:1)

2. The Certainty of Judgment
God declares that He will no longer overlook Israel's sins. The theme of inevitable judgment is emphasized, as the people's actions have reached a point of no return.
^“The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.”^ (Amos 8:2)

3. Social Injustice and Exploitation
The chapter highlights the exploitation of the poor and needy, with merchants eager to resume dishonest practices. This theme underscores the moral decay and social injustice prevalent in Israel.
^“You trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, asking, ‘When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain?’”^ (Amos 8:4-5)

4. Divine Retribution
God promises retribution for the injustices committed, emphasizing that He will not forget their deeds. This theme reflects the divine justice that holds people accountable for their actions.
^“The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: ‘I will never forget any of their deeds.’”^ (Amos 8:7)

5. Cosmic Disturbance and Mourning
The prophecy describes a day of darkness and mourning, symbolizing the severity of God's judgment. The imagery of cosmic disturbance serves as a metaphor for the upheaval that will accompany divine retribution.
^“In that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.”^ (Amos 8:9)

6. Famine of the Word
A unique theme in Amos 8 is the famine of hearing the words of the LORD. This spiritual famine signifies a withdrawal of divine guidance and revelation, leaving the people in a state of spiritual desolation.
^“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.”^ (Amos 8:11)

7. Desperation and Futility
The chapter concludes with a depiction of people wandering in search of the word of the LORD, but finding none. This theme highlights the futility and desperation that result from being cut off from divine truth.
^“People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”^ (Amos 8:12)
Answering Tough Questions
1. How does Amos 8:9’s prediction of the sun going dark align with scientific understanding of solar events?

2. 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?

3. In Amos 8:2, God says he will spare Israel no longer—how do we reconcile this final judgment with later restoration passages in other prophets?

4. Since Amos condemns unjust business practices in Amos 8:4–5, what extra-biblical records confirm or contradict the prevalence of such practices in ancient Israel?

5. If the temple singing turns to wailing in Amos 8:3, why is there little external historical mention of such a dramatic shift in religious rites?

Bible Study Discussion Questions

1. How does the vision of the ripe summer fruit symbolize the impending judgement of Israel?

2. What specific societal injustices and corrupt practices were prevalent in Israel, as described in this chapter?

3. How does God respond to economic exploitation and dishonest trade?

4. How is the severity of the impending judgment described? What does this tell us about the consequences of sin?

5. What does the prophecy of the "famine of hearing the words of the Lord" symbolize?

6. How does this chapter reflect on the moral and spiritual health of society today?

7. In what ways are you challenged to stand against injustice and corruption in your own context after reading this chapter?

8. How can we ensure that we do not fall into the same spiritual complacency as the people of Israel did?

9. How does the prospect of a "famine of the word" make you value the access you currently have to the Bible and teachings about God?

10. In your own life, how have you experienced or witnessed economic exploitation, and what can be done to combat it?

11. How can we apply the lessons of this prophecy to our personal lives and society at large?

12. What does the mourning "like for an only son" tell us about the emotional toll of the impending judgement?

13. How can we respond to the warning in this chapter about false worship and swearing by false gods?

14. How does this chapter challenge your current practice of your faith?

15. How does this chapter emphasize the importance of honesty and fairness in business dealings?

16. What steps can we take to avoid a spiritual "famine" in our lives?

17. How do the concepts of justice and fairness in Amos 8 inform your understanding of God's character?

18. In what ways does this chapter challenge the status quo and provoke you to take action?

19. What role can you play in promoting justice in your community, based on the lessons from this chapter?

20. How does Amos 8 affect your understanding of the consequences of spiritual decay and societal injustice?



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