Historical context of Amos

Who wrote Amos, when, and to whom — and how that shapes the way we read it today.

Author

Amos

Date written

c. 760 BC

Original audience

Northern Israel.

Genre

Prophecy

Testament

Old Testament

Chapters

9

Background and setting

Reign of Jeroboam II.

Why it matters today

Understanding the world Amos was written into helps us read it on its own terms — and apply it faithfully to our lives now. God spoke through real people, in real history, for the lasting good of His people in every generation.

Read the overview of Amos or jump into chapter 1.