And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
Then I said, O Lord God, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? If thou, O God, dost not spare, how can Jacob maintain his ground, reduced as he is by repeated attacks of the Assyrians, and ere long about to be invaded by the Assyrian Pul? (2 Kings 15:19-20.) Amos follows Moses' intercession (Numbers 14:19, "Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people, according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now").
By whom ... Literally, 'who shall Jacob arise?' Who is he, that he should arise, so bereft of strength as he is х miy (H4310)]. Compare Isaiah 51:19 "These two things are come unto thee ... desolation and destruction ... by whom shall I comfort thee?" The mention of "Jacob" is a plea that God should "remember for them His covenant" with their forefather the patriarch (Psalms 106:45).
For he is small - reduced in numbers and in strength.