Book of Amos — New World Translation Study Guide
Section: Hebrew Scriptures · Chapters: 9 · Written by: Amos · Approximate date: c. 760 BC · Theme: Justice & Righteousness
Summary of the Book of Amos
Amos, a shepherd turned prophet, declared Jehovah's judgment on Israel's social injustice, hollow religious observance, and oppression of the poor, calling for justice to 'roll on like a river' before Jehovah's day arrived.
Why the Book of Amos Matters Today
Amos exposes hollow religious observance and social injustice. He preached against Israel's prosperous, religiously active society and called for justice 'to flow like waters' (Amos 5:24). For Witnesses today, Amos is a warning against letting form replace substance — going through the motions of meeting attendance, field service, and donations while ignoring the practical concerns of fellow believers. The book also affirms that Jehovah reveals his 'confidential matter to his servants the prophets' (Amos 3:7) — foundational for understanding why Witnesses trust the prophetic timetable Jehovah has progressively made clear.
Key Verses in Amos
- Amos 3:7
- Amos 5:24
Notable Passages in Amos
Amos 3:7
Jehovah's principle of revealing his 'confidential matter' to his servants the prophets before acting shows his respect for his covenant people and his transparency with them.
Amos 5:24
The call to 'let justice flow like waters and righteousness like a constantly flowing stream' affirms that Jehovah's standards for social justice reflect his own righteous character.
Amos 9:11
The promise to raise up 'the fallen booth of David' is cited in Acts 15:16 as being fulfilled through the restored Christian congregation under Christ's Kingdom.
Study Questions for Amos
As you read the book of Amos, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:
- What does Amos 3:7 — 'Surely the Sovereign Lord Jehovah does nothing without revealing his confidential matter to his servants the prophets' — teach about Jehovah's communication with his people?
- How does Amos' condemnation of hollow religious observance (chapters 5–6) apply to the danger of going through the motions of worship without sincerity?
- What does Amos teach about Jehovah's concern for social justice and the treatment of the poor, and how does this reflect Jehovah's values?
- What do the judgments on surrounding nations (chapters 1–2) teach about Jehovah holding all people — not just Israel — accountable to basic moral standards?
- How does Amos' prophecy about the 'fallen booth of David' (9:11) connect to the restoration of pure worship and Jehovah's Kingdom?
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos
- Who wrote the book of Amos?
- Amos, a shepherd and fig-tender from Tekoa in Judah, wrote the book bearing his name, completing it around 804 BCE after his brief ministry to the northern kingdom.
- When was the book of Amos written?
- Amos was written approximately 804 BCE during a period of prosperity under King Jeroboam II of Israel, two years before a great earthquake recorded by Amos and other historians.
- What is the main theme of Amos?
- Amos condemns Israel's hollow worship and social injustice, calling for genuine justice and righteousness as the only worship Jehovah accepts. He also announces Jehovah's coming judgment on the nations.
How to Study Amos with JW Study
Track your progress through all 9 chapters of Amos in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters as you read, save personal notes on key passages, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.
Reading Plans That Include Amos
The book of Amos is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.
- NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation, all 66 books, in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
- Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Year — Read all 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures over the course of a year. (365 days, 929 chapters)
- Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in 90 days with a steady, focused schedule. (90 days, 1189 chapters)
- Minor Prophets in 30 Days — Read all 12 Minor Prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, in a focused 30-day plan. (30 days, 67 chapters)
Related Bible Study Topics
Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:
- Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
- Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
- Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
- Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
- The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
- The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
- What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
- What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
- God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
- The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today
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