Bible Person

Amaziah

Meaning: the strength of the Lord · Male · 3 cross references

Amaziah is the priest of Bethel who opposes Amos and tries to drive him away from the northern shrine. He represents official religion defending itself against unwelcome prophetic truth. First appears in Amos 7:10.1

AI summary: Amaziah matters because the cross references present him as the establishment voice that resists Amos's judgment against Israel. He treats prophecy as a political nuisance and a threat to the royal sanctuary, but Amos answers by reasserting the divine source of his calling. The exchange exposes the tension between institutional religion and genuine prophetic word. Taken together, the material presents Amaziah as a priest whose opposition to Amos reveals the corruption of northern worship.1

Central Figure

Amaziah

Meaning: the strength of the Lord

A priest of the golden calves at Bethel (Amos 7:10-17).