Amos begins his reply by telling why he is prophesying. He is speaking to the high priest, and if the language requires a special style for that, it should be used here.

Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son (or: one of the sons of the prophet)/Amos answered, “I am not the kind of prophet who prophesies for pay. Scholars disagree on the translation of this verse. In recent English translations some have Amos speaking in the present tense (Revised Standard Version, Smith-Goodspeed, Moffatt, Good News Translation) and others in the past tense (New American Bible). The problem is that the Hebrew wording has no verbs, so that in English translation either a present or a past of the verb “to be” has to be supplied.

If the present tense is chosen, Amos is saying that he is not a prophet and even the order of the LORD to prophesy (verse 15) does not change this. In that case he is making a distinction between the office of prophet and the act of prophesying. If the past tense is chosen, Amos is saying that he was not a prophet, but became one when called by the LORD.

Scholars are almost equally divided, but it seems more satisfactory to use a present tense, because it fits the grammar and context better.

A prophet’s son does not mean the physical son of the prophet, but a member of a group of prophets (Smith-Goodspeed; “member of a prophetic order”; Moffatt: “member of any prophet’s guild”). Amos is saying that he is not a professional prophet. Therefore in answer to verses 12-13, Good News Translation has him say I am not the kind of prophet who prophesies for pay. This restructuring is helpful for languages where it might be possible to say, for example, “I am not of those prophets who live from the fruit of the message of God,” etc.

But I am a herdsman/I am a herdsman. The translation should fit with shepherd (see 1.1). In many cases it will be necessary to use the same term here. Many languages have such a word as “herd,” and it may be enough to say “I have herds” or “I take care of herds” or “I get my bread/rice/food/pay from caring for herds (of sheep),” etc.

And a dresser of sycamore trees (or: figs)/and I take care of fig trees. “A dresser of sycamore-figs” (New English Bible) or “someone who raises (dresses) figs of sycamore trees.” A general statement such as I take care of fig trees may be sufficient. In some languages it may be best to say simply “I have a field of fig trees,” especially if care for them would be understood.

The sycamore tree belongs to the same family as the mulberry and fig trees. It was a broad heavy tree 7.50 to 15 meters high, growing especially in the plains of Palestine. Its fruit looks like figs, but the taste is unpleasant.

Fig trees. See 4.9.

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 .