Amos 7:12
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Bethel, located 12 miles north of Jerusalem on the border between Israel and Judah, held significant religious history—Abraham built an altar there (Genesis 12:8), and Jacob encountered God there (Genesis 28:10-22). However, when Israel split from Judah (931 BC), Jeroboam I established golden calf worship at Bethel to prevent citizens from worshiping in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:26-33). By Amos's time (760-750 BC), Bethel was Israel's premier sanctuary, featuring a royal priesthood serving political rather than theological purposes.
Amaziah held position as chief priest at Bethel under King Jeroboam II. His title and authority came from the king, not from Levitical lineage or divine calling. This made him a political appointee whose job was maintaining royal interests, not proclaiming covenant faithfulness. When Amos prophesied judgment against Jeroboam's house (7:9, 11), Amaziah reported it to the king as sedition (7:10-11) before confronting Amos directly. His command that Amos flee to Judah was likely both personal dismissal and official expulsion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Amaziah's accusation that Amos prophesies for profit reveal the danger of assuming everyone operates from mercenary motives?
- When have you encountered resistance to biblical truth from those in religious positions, and how should believers respond when institutional authority contradicts God's word?
Analysis & Commentary
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah—Amaziah, the priest at Bethel, dismisses Amos with contempt. The Hebrew chozeh (חֹזֶה, "seer") is used mockingly here, reducing Amos to a mere fortune-teller. Amaziah tells him to eat bread (לְחֶם אֱכָל, lechem ekol) in Judah—implying Amos prophesies for profit, as if he were a hired professional seeking patrons. And prophesy there (וְהִנָּבֵא שָׁם, vehinnave sham)—go back where you belong, deliver your messages to your own people.
This encounter reveals the clash between institutional religion and prophetic truth. Amaziah represents corrupt religious establishment—Bethel was Jeroboam I's royal sanctuary featuring a golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-33), and its priesthood served political interests rather than covenant faithfulness. Amaziah assumes prophets are mercenaries who prophesy what their sponsors want to hear. He cannot conceive that someone would speak God's word regardless of consequences or compensation. His command to "flee" (בְּרַח, berach) betrays his recognition that Amos's message threatens the status quo—better to exile the messenger than heed the message.
The irony is devastating: the priest silences the prophet. The one charged with teaching God's law rejects God's living word. This pattern recurs throughout Scripture—institutional religion often opposes genuine prophetic ministry. Jesus faced similar opposition from chief priests and Pharisees (Matthew 21:23-27, 26:3-5); they also sought to silence rather than repent. Amaziah's assumption that Amos prophesies for money reveals his own mercenary heart—he projects his motives onto Amos.