Amos 5:26

Translations

Modern

You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves.

Traditional

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

Literal

You have taken along Sikkuth your king and and Kaiwan your idols, the star of your gods that you have made for yourselves.

Latin

…et portastis tabernaculum Moloch vestro, et imaginem idolorum vestrorum, sidus dei vestri, quæ fecistis vobis.

Original

Hebrew

English

You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves.

Notes

Amos 5:25–26

The people of Israel claimed that God had to bless them because of the Sinai covenant (the agreement God made with them at Mount Sinai). However, Amos showed that from the very beginning of this covenant, they had continued to follow pagan practices rather than remain faithful to God.

Amos 5:26–27

The names in Amos 5:26 have led to several explanations. However, many interpreters think these names refer to pagan gods whose identities are no longer clear. The “king god” may be Molech, the god worshiped by the Ammonites (see Amos 1:15). The word translated as taken along might mean "you will lift up." In this case, the prophet contrasts Israel or Judah, who carried their idols, with God, who carries his people (see Isaiah 46:1–7).

Amos 5:21–27

Amos again confronts the religious hypocrisy and spiritual unfaithfulness of the Israelites. They practiced worship outwardly, but their lives did not match faithfulness to God (see Amos 4:4–5; Isaiah 1:10–20).

Amos 5:18–6:14

The pronouncements of sorrow in this section develop two main themes:

Israel’s apostasy (turning away from God) would make the day of the Lord a day of judgment, not salvation; and
Judah’s spiritual complacency (feeling satisfied and unconcerned about faithfulness to God) would also bring judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Amosc. 788 BC

Related verses

Leviticus 20:2–5
“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him.
2 Kings 23:12–13
He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.
1 Kings 11:33
For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.
Leviticus 18:21
You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Parallels

Acts 7:39–43

People

Kiyyun: Astral deity worshiped by Israelites, provoking God's judgment Sikkuth: A pagan deity worshipped by the Israelites

Glossary

Book of Amos Chiun Gods and Goddesses Kaiwan Rephan Sakkuth Wrath of God

Topics

Chiun: Also Called Remphan, a God of the Phoenicians Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Chiun Idolatry: Objects of, Carried in Procession Idolatry: Punishment of Banishment Stars: Worshiped The Stars: False Gods Frequently Worshipped Under the Representation of

Amos 5:26

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?