The ending of Amos part 9a (verses 1-10) and the beginning of Amos part 9b (verses 11 and 15) are separated by over 2500 years. Amos 9a is Israel’s demise in 722 B.C. Amos 9b is the reemerging of Israelis as a people under God. Chapter 9 part ‘a’ and ‘b’ are exacting.

It states that NONE can escape God’s judgment be it flying in the skies, under the great seas, in the caves of mountains, and even in their graves. Amos states that there will be a final return of Israel beyond April 1947.

Amos 9:11

“On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old…” [NKJV]

The use of the word tabernacle may be misleading. Many understand that King David did not build the Tabernacle of Judaism worship. His son Solomon did as found in 1Kings5:1—9:91; Chronicles 28:1 – 29:82; Chronicles 2:1 – 7:22.  So what does it mean to say “the tabernacle of David?” Revelation 21:3 infers the tabernacle of God to be His only begotten; Jesus. The tabernacle of David, sûkkâh, means (Strong H5520: a hut or lair: – booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent. Given this translation, Amos 9:11 is not restricted to the word ‘tabernacle’ as only a place of worship. The effectual tabernacle of Israel and Solomon in the Hebrew is ‘ôhel [Strong H168]; House of the Lord.

At this time in his-story, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had rejected the DNA lineage of King David when they split in northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms. It would be safe to conclude Amos is referring to the House of David being his lineage, that God is going to restore to Israel…all 12 tribes under ONE ROOF [nation]. Jesus is from the house of David; Judah.

 Amos 9:12

That they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by My name,” declares the Lord who does this [NASB].

We have a conundrum or challenge per the use of the word Edom. Some scholars see this word as “Adam” not Edom. This is easy to see. They are pronounced the same way and at a glance, their spelling is almost identical. Edom spelled in Hebrew is  אֱדֹם. The Hebrew spelling for Adam is אָדָם. The only differences are the notations UNDER the Hebrew characters. Over time these notations could fade, be deleted, or not noted by the translator. Whatever it is, Amos is once again stating that all will be judged one way or another; believer or nonbeliever. The ancient writers of Septuagint used Adam instead of Edom; i.e. mankind.

Another note to the studying bible student: Some translations Amos 9:12, such as the KJV, use the word ‘heathens’; ASV; Darby; MKJV use ‘nations’ while others state ‘unbelievers’ The NKJV uses the word ‘Gentiles’. Gentile is preferred since the rest of this verse addresses “all the heathen.”

Amos 9:13

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, the treader of grapes him [overtakes him) who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it” [NKJV]

The ploughman [khaw-rash’] means the one furrowing the ground for planting.

One might easily skip this verse due to its supposed overlapping of events. Understanding it forces a pause for a deeper underestanding. We will try to distinguish between the comparisons; statement by statement.

The reaper [kaw-tsar’] has a wide interpretation but make note of the similarities in the Hebrew spellings between ploughman and reaper.

1. To harvest grass  or grain
2. To cut down; be discouraged
3. To grieve, lothe, or mourn

In short, one is plowing the land while another is still reaping the previous harvest. It could mean that the ploughman, one who is getting ready to plant a new crop, overtakes those who are still harvesting the old crop; i.e. the new is trying to replace the old. See Revelation 21:5. God is making (a process) all things new. It could also indicate the overabundance of product or life in God’s new world order (millennial reign). The rest of this verse seems to support the overabundance consideration.

The treader of grapes is one who in a sense is producing a new wine. It is the second half of this verse that adds light; him that sows. The word “sows” [maw-shak’] means to delay, prolong, try to develop, draw out, defer or extend. It would be odd that the one treading grapes somehow interferes with or overtakes one planting seed. Might this mean that the ones treading the grapes have completed their job while those responsible of seeding new crop have delayed or prolonged their responsibilities? Amos commentary by David Allen Hubbard puts it this way:

“When God releases blessing and restoration, fruit comes quickly. “Ploughman and reaper labored separately . . . but here they bump into each other, so abundant are the crops and so eager is the land to grow more.” (David A. Hubbard of Tyndale Publishing)

We Teach – You Decide

The mountains shall drip with sweet wine is an odd correlation between growing grapes and its rich harvest. Mountains [har] are not usually good places to grow grapes. Warm lands and valleys are more conducive to this. This embodies the abundance of the Old Testament promise to Israel of a land flowing in milk and honey. This first comes to our attention when the 12 Israelite spies sent by Moses to spy out the lands of Canaan to visually see a land of milk and honey; also a reference to the abundance of reward to God’s New Testament faithful. The spies return to report that the lands over flow with milk and honey [Exodus 3:8, 17].

All the hills will melt: ghib-aw’ (hills) does not mean the mountains. It means little hills. They will melt down. Recall that Jesus said upon his donkey ride into Jerusalem that had not the people not cried out in celebration, the rocks would have [Luke 19:40]. This is the hills melting [mûg] or flowing (to bow) down in the presence of their creator.

Amos 9:14  I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel [KJV]. First note this is about “my people Israel”, not the New Testament Church [believer]. The word captivity suggests that once again Israel goes into captivity as in Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Spanish Inquisition, Hitler’s Germany… This is not its meaning. It is all Israel being returned to the Promised Lands; to once again be united together; Judah and Israel. “My people Israel” is not exclusive to a few or lacking any of the tribes of Jacob. They will be swept out of the four corners of the earth to return to God’s Israel.

JIV opinion: Lands and nations will pave the way to rid themselves of Israelites; not just the Jews of the Tribe of Judah but all Israelite descendants. This is a very in depth study and conclusion. One not readily or easily deduced or conjured.

They shall build the wasted cities, inhabit them, plant crops of abundant produce, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. This needs little discussion. Take it precisely for what it says. Again, this is not the church but Israel; God’s chosen.

Amos 9:15 is self-evident. They will NO LONGER be removed from the Promised Lands by anyone or enemy…says the lord God!

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2020