Seven points about the book of Amos:

1. His name is spelled with an 'S' at the end, not to be confused with Amoz with a 'Z,' who was the father of Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1).

2. Amos means: Burden or Burden Bearer

3. He prophesied about the coming judgment of Israel and the surrounding nations, which is the reason for the meaning of his name.

4. Amos was a regular man. He used an ancient Hebrew (sheepbreeder) word to describe himself because he might have wanted to emphasize that he was a regular, common man used by God to bring a message to Israel and the surrounding nations. It's believed that he did not want to be confused as a symbolic shepherd (guide) but a true, regular human God used to do great things, as the disciples did.

5. Amos was from Tekoa, about ten miles from Jerusalem. He delivered his message in Bethel, the most southern city of Israel and not too far from Tekoa.

6. His ministry was around 760 BC and 750BC

7. When he was a prophet, Israel was divided into two nations for over 150 years—Judah to the south and Israel to the north.