“son.” Here used in the cultural sense of “disciple.” Amos was not a prophet nor the disciple of a prophet. [For more on “son” meaning “disciple,” see commentary on Matt. 12:27].

“a farmer of sycamore figs.” It is noteworthy that Amos said he was a farmer of sycamore figs, because the sycamore fig does not grow around Tekoa, but rather in the lowland, so it is possible that Amos agreed to take care of someone else’s trees in return for grazing rights, or it is also possible that Amos was wealthy enough to own land where he grew the sycamore figs. Since it would be impossible to both watch sheep around Tekoa and also take care of sycamore fig trees at the same time, Amos could well have been quite well off, which would also be why he could take time to go north into Israel and prophesy.