1:1 Amos introduces himself and his prophecy, specifying the time when God’s word came to him.

The words of Amos. The prophet’s messages are introduced with this formula (cf. Jer. 1:1). The phrase has a covenant background (Deut. 1:1, “These are the words that Moses spoke.”). Specifically, Amos the prophet is God’s covenant lawsuit messenger, bringing God’s suit against disobedient Israel.

shepherds. The Hebrew term probably refers to keepers of a particular kind of sheep known for its unusually fine wool. The king of Moab is identified as one owning such sheep (2 Kin. 3:4).

Tekoa. This village was five miles south of Bethlehem. Because of its good pastureland it supported many shepherds with their flocks.

the earthquake. Since this was a memorable event in an earthquake-prone region, it would have been remembered as an act of divine judgment, as in Zech. 14:5.