Charles Ellicott Commentary Amos 7:2

"And it came to pass that, when they made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord Jehovah, forgive, I beseech thee: how shall Jacob stand? for he is small." — Amos 7:2 (ASV)

The grass of the land.— The same word is used in the original in Genesis 1:11, signifying herbs and vegetables. Amos saw the first wave of disaster in the destruction of the food of the people, and he interceded for respite and forgiveness. The cry takes the form, Who is Jacob that he should stand? (The English Version, “by whom,” is incorrect) for he is small.