Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration that 'the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets' is Amos's theological warrant for his own ministry. The Hebrew 'sod' (secret, counsel) in verse 7 denotes the divine council — the heavenly assembly in which God deliberates his purposes (cf. Jeremiah 23:18; 1 Kings 22:19-23) — suggesting prophets are those admitted to that inner circle. The verse establishes a principle of covenantal transparency: God acts in history, but never without first disclosing his intention through prophetic word. Revelation 10:7 echoes this text in its announcement that the mystery of God 'is finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.'
Other Translations
Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets.
For the Lord Jehovah doth nothing, Except He hath revealed His counsel unto His servants the prophets.
Certainly the Lord will do nothing without making clear his secret to his servants, the prophets.
Cross References
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with …
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and …
Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the …
For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be …
And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by …
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth …
Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of …
Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and …
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.