Bible Strands
Amos 7:16
Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Amos directly, commanding him to listen to a divine message after reporting the prohibition against speaking against Israel.
The words — The Hebrew terms שְׁמַע (she.Ma') and תִנָּבֵא (ti.na.Ve') carry the commands "hear" and "prophesy," framing the immediate tension between divine instruction and human restriction.
The thread — This conflict over prophetic authority appears in Micah 2:6, where opponents demand silence to avoid disgrace, and in Ezekiel 20:46 and 21:2, where prophets are explicitly commanded to direct their messages against specific territories of Israel.
Why it lands — The text states that God's spoken word must be received regardless of human orders, establishing that divine commission overrides territorial or political boundaries before any inference about modern application is drawn.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 20:46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
- Ezekiel 21:2 “Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel
- Micah 2:6 “Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
- Deuteronomy 32:2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
- Jeremiah 28:15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie.
- Amos 7:13 But never prophesy at Bethel again, because it is the sanctuary of the king and the temple of the kingdom.”
- 1 Samuel 15:16 “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.
- 1 Kings 22:19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
- Isaiah 30:10 They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.