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Amos, book of
Amos, book of After the introduction (Amos 1 and 2), the book can be divided into the sermons (chs. 3–6) and the five visions (7: 1–9: 7), followed by the Promise (9: 8–15). It is particularly important for the rejection of the view that for each nation there was its own god—Yahweh being that of Israel, whose writ did not extend beyond the borders of the two kingdoms. On the contrary, the theme of Amos is that Yahweh is the universal God with moral demands on every nation (e.g. Amos 1: 5) whose crimes are denounced because they are intrinsically wicked, not necessarily because they have injured Israel. Doubtless there was the special relationship between Yahweh and Israel, but the nation was warned that it would not be preserved by mere rituals. The priest Amaziah did his utmost to silence this unwelcome message at Bethel (7: 12), but Amos persisted. At any time the contract might be broken (Amos 5: 18); and yet a hope remained of ultimate restoration (9: 11–15); and even if this conclusion was added by an editor at a later date, it is how the book has been read within the context of the Bible as a whole by both Jews and Christians and as such it is not necessarily to be dismissed on the grounds of being inconsistent with the message of Amos in 750 BCE or treated as an unauthentic appendix. The book of Amos is quoted by Stephen (Acts 7: 42) and by James (Acts 15: 16–18), and in modern times has been much valued for its forthright appeal for social justice.
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Amos, book of." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "Amos, book of." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Amosbookof.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "Amos, book of." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Amosbookof.html |
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Amos, Book of
Amos, Book of. Amos was the earliest of the canonical prophets of the OT; he is said to have prophesied between 760 and 750 BC. He claimed that his prophetic inspiration derived from a direct call from God while he was a shepherd. The main theme of his message was that increasing affluence among the leaders of Israelite society had produced an unjust social order in which the poor were exploited, and that in consequence God would put an end to Israel's special status by causing the nation's downfall. The ‘day of the Lord’ would be a day of darkness and despair.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Amos, Book of." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Amos, Book of." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-AmosBookof.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Amos, Book of." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-AmosBookof.html |
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Amaziah
Amaziah , in the Bible. 1 King of Judah, son and successor of Jehoash of Judah. The two incidents of his reign were the conquest of Edom, including the capture of Petra, and an unprovoked attack by Amaziah on King Jehoash of Israel. Jehoash took Amaziah prisoner, entered Jerusalem, and sacked the Temple. Amaziah was assassinated at Lachish, and his son Uzziah succeeded him. 2 Priest of Bethel, Amos's enemy. |
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"Amaziah." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Amaziah." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Amaziah.html "Amaziah." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Amaziah.html |
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Amaziah
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Cite this article
W. R. F. BROWNING. "Amaziah." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "Amaziah." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Amaziah.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "Amaziah." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Amaziah.html |
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