Amos among the ‘Dead Prophets Society’: Re-Reading the Lion's Roar *

Abstract

Amos 3.3–8 is usually interpreted as the historical prophet's self-justification before a hostile crowd. I employ this passage in a similar manner, but restrict the confrontation to a literary world created by a post-monarchic body of scribes and interpreters. These I label the ‘Dead Prophets Society’ (with apologies to the makers of the film Dead Poets Society). Their audience must supply the answers to the character Amos's interrogation on behalf of the textual audience. This situation forms the basis of a ‘trap’ which forces the guild to confront their own limitations vis-à-vis the ancient prophets, and still identify with Amos and experience the imperative nature of prophecy that the passage depicts.