Amos, according to the Christian Bible Encyclopedia; Insight on the Scriptures, Volume I, is translated from Hebrew to mean either 'being a load' or 'carrying a load'. And A Survey of the Minor Prophets by David A. Padfield defines Amos as 'to bear' or 'burden bearer.'
Most Christian institutions teach that Amos was a minor prophet and the writer of the bible book Amos. What physical evidence is there on his existence?
The Bible states that Amos was born in the 9th century B.C.E. and unlike most prophets mentioned in the scriptures, he was not from a family of prophets. (Amos 7:14; 2 Kings 4:1) Instead the account claims he was born and raised ten miles south of Jerusalem in a town called Tekoa. Theologian Dr. Thomas Constable confirms this location's existence in his published research Notes on Amos.
Amos' Secular Activity
Biblical accounts state that Amos did seasonal work, and that he was a 'nipper of figs'. Dr. Constable's article explains the type of trees that were harvested in his area were Sycamores, a member of the mulberry family. His research notes that although the Sycamore tree is not actually a fig, many consider it a fig-like fruit.
Insight on the Scriptures and Notes on Amos both state that Amos was also a Judean sheep raiser. Historically, the area around the Dead Sea; was used for herding and raising sheep.
Most Christian and Judean religions believe that Amos was a Prophet. The book of Amos claims that he was not born as a prophet. According to the Bible, Amos began his prophetic course two years before the great earthquake which occurred under the reign of two Kings; Uzziah, King of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel' (Amos 1:1) Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land and Notes on Amos both note that "Archaeological excavations at Hazor and Samaria point to evidence of a violent earthquake in Israel about 760 B.C". The oldest copy of Amos found to date is the Dead Sea Scroll.
Opposition to his Messages
Christian and Judean faith center around the belief that while serving as a prophet in the district of Samaria, a calf worshiper and Priest of the local state religion in Bethel, Amaziah, tried to have Amos arrested under the claim that he was a threat to the security of the state. Physical evidence of his existence is not available.
Scholars estimate that around 804 B.C.E, Amos’ prophecies were in connection to the calf worshiping centers in Dan and Bethel. These centers were in the ten-tribes of Israel and under the reign of King Jeroboam II. Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land points out that there is physical evidence of these cities being destroyed or overthrown. (see also: Syria, Tyre, Philistia, Moab and Edom.)
Sources
Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land 2001 by Ephraim Stern. Published by Anchor Bible.
Notes on Amos 2009 by Dr. Thomas L. Constable. Published by Sonic Light.
A Survey of the Minor Prophets 1997 by David A. Padfield.
Christian Bible Encyclopedia; Insight on the Scriptures, Volume I & II. 1988 Published By The Watchtower, Bible & Tract Society.
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