Amos 3:14
That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth-el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּי֛וֹם
That in the day
H3117
בְּי֛וֹם
That in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּפָֽקַדְתִּי֙
that I shall visit
H6485
וּפָֽקַדְתִּי֙
that I shall visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
3 of 16
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
פִשְׁעֵֽי
the transgressions
H6588
פִשְׁעֵֽי
the transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
4 of 16
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עָלָ֑יו
H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּפָֽקַדְתִּי֙
that I shall visit
H6485
וּפָֽקַדְתִּי֙
that I shall visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
7 of 16
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְנִגְדְּעוּ֙
shall be cut off
H1438
וְנִגְדְּעוּ֙
shall be cut off
Strong's:
H1438
Word #:
12 of 16
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
קַרְנ֣וֹת
and the horns
H7161
קַרְנ֣וֹת
and the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
13 of 16
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
Historical Context
Bethel ('House of God') was where Jacob encountered God (Genesis 28:19), making Jeroboam's idolatry there particularly blasphemous. This sanctuary became the center of Israel's apostate worship. In 722 BC, the Assyrians destroyed these altars; Josiah later desecrated the site completely (2 Kings 23:15-16).
Questions for Reflection
- What false refuges—religious traditions, church buildings, rituals—do people trust instead of Christ alone?
- How does God's judgment on religious institutions that bear His name warn contemporary churches?
- In what ways might modern Christians be like Israel—maintaining religious forms while living in covenant unfaithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
In the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him (בְּיוֹם פָּקְדִי פִשְׁעֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל עָלָיו, b'yom pokdi pish'ei yisrael alav)—The verb פָּקַד (pakad, 'visit, attend to, punish') appears frequently in judgment contexts; God's 'visitation' brings reckoning. I will also visit the altars of Beth-el (וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל־מִזְבְּחוֹת בֵּית־אֵל, ufakadti al-mizbechot beit-el)—Bethel's golden calf altar, established by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:28-29), epitomized Israel's syncretistic worship. The horns of the altar shall be cut off (וְנִגְדְּעוּ קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, v'nigde'u karnot hamizbeach)—altar horns provided sanctuary (1 Kings 1:50), but now even that refuge is destroyed.
The cutting off of altar horns symbolizes judgment reaching even sacred spaces. No false worship, religious tradition, or holy place can protect covenant-breakers. This prefigures Christ's prophecy that Jerusalem's temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1-2)—structures of false confidence collapse under divine judgment.