The priest of Bethel. On the question of the need for a title for Amaziah and the kind of language he should use, see Translating Amos, Section 4, and the discussion under Amos in 1.1. Amaziah was not the only priest at the place of worship in Bethal. A translation of “chief priest” would be better to indicate the real position Amaziah held. In many languages, of course, the problem is to find any good equivalent for priest. Sometimes there is a cultural term, but too many unwanted meanings may be related to it. In certain cultures specific terms for priests exist, especially in relation to their sacrificial work, such as “knife men.” Such a functional expression may be more acceptable, but such a term is rather limited because the function of Hebrew priests is not restricted to the offering of sacrifices. But there may be no other choice than something limited like “one who presents sacrifices,” “one who takes the name of the sacrifice,” “one who speaks to God,” “spokesman of the people before God,” etc. Sometimes borrowed terms can be employed, like the Arabic malim, where it is widely known, but generally this cannot be recommended.

Amaziah may have to be introduced here with some expression like “There was a priest, Amaziah, who was the chief priest in the temple at Bethel” or “Have Amaziah….”

Sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying/sent a report to King Jeroboam of Israel. Something has to be sent, and what is sent often has to be made clear in translation. So, for example, “sent word” (Moffatt, New American Bible), sent a report, “reported” (New English Bible). In other languages, a translation something like “he caused (someone) to tell” might be used.

Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel/Amos is plotting against you among the people. The language should be appropriate for a high priest to write to a king.

Many languages do not have specific verbs for plotting or “conspiring”. However, this human activity is common everywhere, and there is some way to talk about it. One possibility is a short descriptive phrase like “to prepare bad things against someone.” The accusation is that Amos was plotting within the territory of the king (“right here in the kingdom of Israel”), not that he was plotting with the people against the king.

The land is not able to bear all his words/His speeches will destroy the country. The land stands for “the people of the land,” so a good translation might be “The people cannot resist his many words.” However, in many languages it is necessary to say what will happen because they cannot resist: “The people cannot resist his many words which will destroy the country.” Amaziah is speaking his own thoughts rather than those of the people.

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan & Smalley, William A. A Handbook on Amos. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1979. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .