Amos 5:26
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Amos 5:26
26 But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.
Chapter Context
Amos 5 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of fellowship, salvation, wisdom. Written during the prosperous period of Jeroboam II (c. 760-750 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Economic prosperity masked serious social injustice and religious hypocrisy.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Amos and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Amos 5:26
26 But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.
Analysis
But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images (וּנְשָׂאתֶם אֵת סִכּוּת מַלְכְּכֶם וְאֵת כִּיּוּן צַלְמֵיכֶם, un'satem et sikkut malkechem v'et kiyun tzalmeichem)—Moloch (מֹלֶךְ, molech) was the Ammonite deity requiring child sacrifice; Chiun/Kiyyun (כִּיּוּן, kiyun) likely refers to a star deity, possibly Saturn. The star of your god, which ye made to yourselves (כּוֹכַב אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם לָכֶם, kochav eloheichem asher asitem lachem)—they created gods with their own hands, inverting the Creator-creature relationship.
Idolatry always involves exchanging the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25), worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator. The reference to carrying these idols suggests Israel transported them during wilderness wandering and continued this practice in Canaan—syncretism spanning generations.
Historical Context
Acts 7:43 translates differently: 'Remphan' instead of 'Chiun,' following the Septuagint. Both refer to astral deities. Canaanite religion featured star worship, and Israel repeatedly fell into this syncretism (Deuteronomy 4:19; 2 Kings 23:5). Amos exposes how Israel's worship mixed Yahwism with paganism.
Reflection
- What modern 'stars' or celebrities do people worship instead of God—following them, imitating them, trusting their wisdom?
- How does making our own gods—through selective theology or cultural accommodation—repeat Israel's error?
- Why is syncretism (mixing true worship with false) more dangerous than outright paganism?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Leviticus 18:21, 1 Kings 11:33