Discovery BoxAmos 3:6-8 
Context3:6 If an alarm sounds 1 in a city, do people not fear? 2
If disaster overtakes a 3 city, is the Lord not responsible? 4
3:7 Certainly the sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
3:8 A lion has roared! 5 Who is not afraid?
The sovereign Lord has spoken! Who can refuse to prophesy? 6
1 tn Heb “If the ram’s horn is blown.”
2 tn Or “tremble” (NASB, NIV, NCV); or “shake.”
3 tn Heb “is in”; NIV, NCV, NLT “comes to.”
4 tn Heb “has the
5 sn The roar of the lion is here a metaphor for impending judgment (see 1:2; cf. 3:4, 12). Verses 7-8 justify Amos’ prophetic ministry and message of warning and judgment. The people should expect a prophetic message prior to divine action.
6 sn Who can refuse to prophesy? When a message is revealed, the prophet must speak, and the news of impending judgment should cause people to fear.
