a canonical book of the Old Testament, so called from the prophet of that name, its author, who was the son of Beri, and the first of the lesser prophets. He lived in the kingdom of Samaria, and delivered his prophecies under the reign of Jeroboam II. and his successors, kings of Israel; and under the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. His principal design is to publish the gross idolatries of the people of Israel and Judah, to denounce the divine vengeance against them, and to foretel the captivity in Assyria.