Amos 8:14
They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beer-sheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.
Original Language Analysis
הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים֙
They that swear
H7650
הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים֙
They that swear
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
1 of 15
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
בְּאַשְׁמַ֣ת
by the sin
H819
בְּאַשְׁמַ֣ת
by the sin
Strong's:
H819
Word #:
2 of 15
guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering
וְחֵ֖י
liveth
H2416
וְחֵ֖י
liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
5 of 15
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
Thy god
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
Thy god
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
דָּ֔ן
O Dan
H1835
דָּ֔ן
O Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
7 of 15
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
וְחֵ֖י
liveth
H2416
וְחֵ֖י
liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
8 of 15
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
and The manner
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
and The manner
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
9 of 15
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְנָפְל֖וּ
even they shall fall
H5307
וְנָפְל֖וּ
even they shall fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
12 of 15
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Amos 5:5But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought.Deuteronomy 9:21And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.Acts 9:2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Historical Context
The golden calves at Dan and Bethel represented Israel's foundational apostasy (1 Kings 12:28-29). Beer-sheba was in Judah's territory but apparently featured in northern pilgrimage practices. This syncretistic worship—mixing Yahweh forms with pagan content—epitomized covenant unfaithfulness that guaranteed exile.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern equivalents exist to 'swearing by idols'—binding ourselves to false securities and calling them 'alive'?
- How does syncretism (mixing true worship with false elements) ultimately prove deadlier than outright paganism?
- What does it mean to 'fall and never rise'—experiencing judgment without hope of restoration?
Analysis & Commentary
They that swear by the sin of Samaria (הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים בְּאַשְׁמַת שֹׁמְרוֹן, hanishba'im b'ashmat Shomron)—'sin' (אַשְׁמַת, ashmat) likely refers to the golden calf at Bethel or possibly Asherah worship. They swear oaths by idols rather than Yahweh. And say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth (וְאָמְרוּ חֵי אֱלֹהֶיךָ דָּן, v'am'ru chei Eloheicha Dan)—Dan had the other golden calf shrine (1 Kings 12:29). And, The manner of Beer-sheba liveth (וְחֵי דֶּרֶךְ בְּאֵר שָׁבַע, v'chei derech Be'er Sheva)—דֶּרֶךְ (derech) might mean 'way' (pilgrimage route) or refer to another cultic object. Even they shall fall, and never rise up again (וְנָפְלוּ וְלֹא־יָקוּמוּ עוֹד, v'naflu v'lo-yakumu od)—permanent spiritual death.
Swearing by false gods demonstrates complete apostasy—binding oneself to powerless idols rather than the living God. The irony: they say these gods 'live' (חֵי, chei), but worshipers themselves will fall and never rise. Psalm 115:8 warns: 'They that make them are like unto them'—idolaters share their idols' impotence. Only those who swear by the true God's name find life (Jeremiah 4:2).