Amos 5:4

A Call to Repentance · Amos 5:4–15
Read Amos 5

Translations

Modern
For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live!
Traditional
For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
Literal
For thus says YHWH to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live!
Latin
Quia hæc dicit Dominus domui Israël: Quærite me, et vivetis.

Original

Hebrew
English
For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live!

Notes

Seek Me and live implies a condition: To live, Israel must seek the Lord (also in Amos 5:6). Otherwise, the funeral song (Amos 5:1–2) will become Israel’s death sentence.

Amos delivers three prophetic messages to Israel, criticizing their mistaken belief about being God's chosen people. The messages show a progression toward judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

Worship in Jerusalem

Events

Parallels

Joel 1:13–20 Zephaniah 2:1–3 Luke 13:1–5

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Book of Amos

Topics

Prayer: Answer To, Promise Prayer: The Promises of God Encourage To Repentance: Exhortation To Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning Seeking God: Ensures: Life