In the Bible, the name Amos means "burden" or "carried" in Hebrew (from the root word עָמַס, *'āmas*). Amos was a prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah who prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel, around the 8th century BCE. His significance lies in his role as a social critic who condemned the injustices and moral decay of the northern kingdom, emphasizing themes of social justice, divine judgment, and the need for true worship. The Book of Amos, which he authored, addresses the people of Israel and calls them to repentance, highlighting how their prosperity was built on the exploitation of the poor (Amos 5:11-12).Amos's prophetic message is particularly notable for its insistence that mere ritualistic worship is insufficient without corresponding ethical behavior. He famously states, "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24, ESV), underscoring the need for social justice as an integral aspect of faith. His name, therefore, encapsulates the burden he carried as a messenger of God, delivering a weighty message about the consequences of national sin and the hope of restoration through genuine repentance.