The divided kingdomFather of the prophet Isaiahc. 800–700 BC
Amoz is exclusively known as the father of the great prophet Isaiah, and his name appears consistently in the formula "Isaiah, son of Amoz" throughout the Hebrew Bible—at least 13 times. Although Scripture gives no direct information about his own life or work, the consistent use of this patronymic suggests that Amoz was a person of standing in the kingdom of Judah. Rabbinic tradition links him to the royal house by claiming he was the brother of King Amaziah, which would have made Isaiah part of the Davidic lineage. Amoz lived in turbulent times when the small states of the Levant were under increasing pressure from the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and this geopolitical reality formed the backdrop for his son's prophetic calling. His name (Hebrew: אָמוֹץ) means "strong" and is linguistically entirely distinct from the prophet Amos (עָמוֹס), although the names can be confused in Norwegian rendering.
Mentioned as Isaiah's father in the book's introduction
Amoz is identified as the father of the prophet Isaiah in the opening verse of the Book of Isaiah, where Isaiah's visions are dated to the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.
During the Syro-Ephraimite War, Isaiah was sent with a message to King Ahaz, where he is identified as 'Isaiah son of Amoz,' emphasizing the prophet's lineage and authority in his encounter with the king.
3Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-Jashub,* at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field,
When the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Isaiah—identified as 'son of Amoz'—sent a message to King Hezekiah promising God's protection and judgment against Assyria.
21Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,
20Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria.
In 2 Kings, Amoz is identified as the father of the prophet Isaiah in connection with Isaiah's role as an advisor during King Hezekiah's reign, notably regarding Sennacherib's threat and Hezekiah's illness.
2He sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and the senior priests, all of them covered in sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
1In those days Hezekiah fell mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, for you are going to die; you will not recover."
2 Chronicles refers to "the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz" in connection with records about King Uzziah's deeds and King Hezekiah's reign, where Isaiah and Hezekiah pray together to the Lord during Sennacherib's threat.
32The rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his faithful deeds are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.