Understanding the Famine of the Word in Amos 8:11-12
Amos 8:11-12, from the Young's Literal Translation, states: "Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah. And they have wandered from sea to sea, And from the north even unto the east, They go to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, And do not find [it]" [1]. This passage describes a severe judgment upon Israel: a spiritual famine, distinct from physical hunger or thirst.
The prophet Amos, a shepherd and sycamore fig dresser from Tekoa, prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel [4]. This period saw Israel reach a peak of prosperity, which was unfortunately accompanied by widespread luxury and vice [4]. Amos's prophecies frequently address the social injustices and moral decay prevalent in the northern kingdom of Israel [6, 7]. Chapter 8, in particular, begins with a vision of a basket of summer fruit, symbolizing that Israel's end was near and ripe for judgment [6, 10]. The subsequent verses detail the oppression of the poor by the wealthy and the impending destruction that will follow [6, 7]. The famine of the word is presented as a significant component of this judgment [6, 7, 10].
Famines were a recognized form of divine judgment in ancient Israel, often sent due to God's anger against a sinful people [2, 3]. Scriptural examples include famines in the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph, as well as those predicted by prophets like Agabus [2]. These physical famines were severe, sometimes long-lasting, and could be caused by lack of rain, crop failure, or even enemy devastation [3]. However, Amos 8:11 introduces a famine of a different nature: "Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah" [1].
This "famine of hearing the words of Jehovah" signifies a time when God would withdraw His prophetic voice from the people [8, 9, 11]. Matthew Henry notes that this judgment would come after a period when Israel had "great plenty of prophets, abundant opportunities of hearing the word of God" [5]. The people had previously commanded the prophets not to prophesy (Amos 2:11-12), and now they would experience the silence they seemingly desired, but it would be a silence of judgment [9]. Adam Clarke describes this as "the most grievous of all famines," where no prophet, spiritual counselor, or faithful reprover would be available to guide them or offer assurance of God's mercy [8].
The consequence of this spiritual famine is described in Amos 8:12: "And they have wandered from sea to sea, And from the north even unto the east, They go to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, And do not find [it]" [1]. This imagery depicts a desperate, fruitless search for divine guidance. The people, once indifferent or hostile to God's word, would now earnestly seek it, but to no avail [11]. God would become distant, and the time for speaking would be over, replaced by a time of judgment [9]. This withdrawal of God's word is seen as a severe punishment, intensifying the bitterness of the period of judgment [11]. It highlights the principle that those who reject God's word when it is available may find it inaccessible when they finally desire it.
Sources
- Amos “Amos 8:11 (YLT) — Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Famine — The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen. 26:1). Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar (Gen. 26:1, 17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years (Gen. 41-45). Famines were sent as an effect of God's anger against a guilty people (2 Kings 8:1, 2; Amos 8:11; Deut. 28:22-42; 2 Sam. 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25-28; 25:3; Jer. 14:15; 19:9; 42:17, etc.). A famine was predicted by Agabus (”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Famine — Sent by God -- Ps 10:16. Often on account of sin -- Le 26:21,26; La 4:4-6. One of God's four sore judgments -- Eze 14:21. Caused by God's blessing withheld. -- Ho 2:8,9; Hag 1:6. Want of seasonable rain. -- 1Ki 17:1; Jer 14:1-4; Am 4:7. Rotting of the seed in the ground. -- Joe 1:17. Swarms of insects. -- De 28:38,42; Joe 1:4. Blasting and mildew. -- Am 4:9; Hag 2:17. Devastation by enemies. -- De 28:33,51. Often long continued -- Ge 41:27; 2Ki 8:1,2. Often severe -- Ge 12:10; 1Ki 18:2; Jer 52:6. Expressed by Taking away the stay of bread, & c. -- Isa 3:1. C”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Amos — Borne; a burden, one of the twelve minor prophets. He was a native of Tekota, the modern Tekua, a town about 12 miles south-east of Bethlehem. He was a man of humble birth, neither a "prophet nor a prophet's son," but "an herdman and a dresser of sycomore trees," R.V. He prophesied in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and was contemporary with Isaiah and Hosea (Amos 1:1; 7:14, 15; Zech. 14:5), who survived him a few years. Under Jeroboam II. the kingdom of Israel rose to the zenith of its prosperity; but that was followed by the prevalence of luxury and vice ”
- Amos (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Amos 8:11: In these verses is threatened, I. A general judgment of spiritual famine coming upon the whole land, a famine of the word of God, the failing of oracles and the scarcity of good preaching. This is spoken of as a thing at some distance: The days come, they will come hereafter, when another kind of darkness shall come upon that land of light. When Amos prophesied, and for a considerable time after, they had great plenty of prophets, abundant opportunities of hearing the word of God, in season and out of season; they had precept upon precept and line upon line; prophec”
- Amos (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Amos 8 (introduction): Sinful times are here attended with sorrowful times, so necessary is the connexion between them; it is threatened here again and again that the laughter shall be turned into mourning. I. By the vision of "basket of summer-fruit" is signified the hastening on of the ruin threatened (Amo 8:1-3) and that shall change their note. II. Oppressors are here called to an account for their abusing the poor; and their destruction is foretold, which will set them a mourning (Amo 8:4-10). III. A famine of the word of God is here made the punishment of a people that g”
- Amos (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Amos 8 (introduction): This chapter begins with a fourth vision denoting the certainty and nearness of the destruction of Israel, Amo 8:1-3. The prophet then proceeds to reprove their oppression and injustice, Amo 8:4-7. Strong and beautiful figures, by which is represented the complete dissolution of the Israelitish polity, Amo 8:8-10. The people threatened with a most awful judgment; a Famine of the word of God, Amo 8:11-14.”
- Amos (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Amos 8:11: A famine in the land - The most grievous of all famines, a famine of the words of Jehovah; a time in which no prophet should appear, no spiritual counsellor, no faithful reprover, none any longer who would point out the way of salvation, or would assure them of the mercy of God on their repentance and return to him. This is the severest of God's judgments on this side the worm that never dieth, and the fire that is never quenched.”
- Amos (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Amos 8:11: 8:11-14 famine . . . of hearing the words of the Lord: God sent prophets to Israel to speak his words directly to them, but Israel commanded the prophets not to prophesy (2:11-12). Now they had what they wanted, but it was a silence more terrible than his roar and thunder: God became distant (see Ezek 7:26; 20:3; Mic 3:4, 7). The time for speaking was over; the time of judgment had come.”
- Amos (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Amos 8 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 8 In this chapter a fourth vision is delivered, the vision of a "basket of summer fruit"; signifying the destruction of the ten tribes, for which they were ripe, and which would quickly come upon them, Amo 8:1; the rich are reproved for their oppression of the poor, their covetousness and earthly mindedness, Amo 8:4; for which they are threatened with entire ruin, sudden calamities, and very mournful times, instead of light, joy, and gladness, Amo 8:7; and particularly with a famine of hearing the word of God, Amo 8:11; the consequence”
- Amos (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Amos 8:11: And at that time the light and comfort of the word of God will also fail them. Amo 8:11. "Behold, days come, is the saying of the Lord Jehovah, that I send a hungering into the land, not a hungering for bread nor a thirst for water, but to hear the words of Jehovah. Amo 8:12. And they will reel from sea to sea; and from the north, and even to the east, they sweep round to seek the word of Jehovah, and will not find it." The bitterness of the time of punishment is increased by the fact that the Lord will then withdrawn His word from them, i.e., the light of His re”