Amos 5:5

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

Translations

Modern
Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal; do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing.
Traditional
But 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.
Literal
And do not seek Bethel, and do not come to Gilgal, and do not cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to Aven!
Latin
Et nolite quærere Bethel, et in Galgalam nolite intrare, et in Bersabee non transibitis, quia Galgala captiva ducetur, et Bethel erit inutilis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal; do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing.

Notes

  • Beersheba was another site (see study note on Amos 4:4) with connections to the patriarchal era (for example, Abraham, Genesis 21:33; 22:19). It had become a shrine.

  • Gilgal … exile: This phrase uses wordplay based on alliteration (the repetition of similar sounds). In Hebrew, the words hagilgal galoh yigleh sound alike. Together, they connect the place name Gilgal with the idea of going into exile.

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

Places

Beersheba: Important city in southern Israel, associated with the patriarchs Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob Gilgal: A significant site during Israel's early history in Canaan

Glossary

Bethel (God) Book of Amos Gilgal

Topics

Beer-Sheba: The Most Southern City of Palestine: Became a Seat of Idolatrous Worship Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: Prophecies Against Gilgal: Place of the First Encampment of the Israelites West of the Jordan River: Prophecies Concerning Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Prayer: Answer To, Promise Repentance: Exhortation To Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning