Die betekenis van die konsep land in die slot van die boek Amos

Abstract

The meaning of the concept of land in the epilogue of the book of Amos

During the exilic and post-exilic eras the concept of land underwent a shift of meaning: land also acquired the meaning of city (and temple). If the epilogue of Amos is regarded as exilic or post-exilic, as most scholars think, one can expect that city rather than land shall be emphasized in the epilogue. The opposite, however, is true. This article tries to ascertain whether the concept “land” has a different place, value or meaning in the epilogue of Amos than in the rest of the book and whether this assumption casts any light on the relation between the different parts. The conclusion arrived at implies that the term used for land in the epilogue has a broader meaning than the traditional one attached to it by Israel. The epilogue makes a breakthrough to a universal approach pictured in eschatological colours but rooted in history. A correction is made to a “Zion-theology” and emphasis is laid on the land of the promise which is linked with the (true) covenantal relation with Yahweh implied in the terms “my people” and “your God”. Whether dated as pre-exilic, exilix or post-exilic, the epilogue is in harmony with the essence of the rest of the book.