King James Version

What Does Amos 3:14 Mean?

Amos 3:14 in the King James Version says “That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. visit: or, punish Israel for”

Amos 3:14 · KJV

Context

12

Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch. taketh: Heb. delivereth in Damascus: or, on the bed's feet

13

Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

14

That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. visit: or, punish Israel for

15

And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

Read Amos 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him (בְּיוֹם פָּקְדִי פִשְׁעֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל עָלָיו, b'yom pokdi pish'ei yisrael alav)—The verb פָּקַד (pakad, 'visit, attend to, punish') appears frequently in judgment contexts; God's 'visitation' brings reckoning. I will also visit the altars of Beth-el (וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל־מִזְבְּחוֹת בֵּית־אֵל, ufakadti al-mizbechot beit-el)—Bethel's golden calf altar, established by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:28-29), epitomized Israel's syncretistic worship. The horns of the altar shall be cut off (וְנִגְדְּעוּ קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, v'nigde'u karnot hamizbeach)—altar horns provided sanctuary (1 Kings 1:50), but now even that refuge is destroyed.

The cutting off of altar horns symbolizes judgment reaching even sacred spaces. No false worship, religious tradition, or holy place can protect covenant-breakers. This prefigures Christ's prophecy that Jerusalem's temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1-2)—structures of false confidence collapse under divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bethel ('House of God') was where Jacob encountered God (Genesis 28:19), making Jeroboam's idolatry there particularly blasphemous. This sanctuary became the center of Israel's apostate worship. In 722 BC, the Assyrians destroyed these altars; Josiah later desecrated the site completely (2 Kings 23:15-16).

Reflection Questions

  1. What false refuges—religious traditions, church buildings, rituals—do people trust instead of Christ alone?
  2. How does God's judgment on religious institutions that bear His name warn contemporary churches?
  3. In what ways might modern Christians be like Israel—maintaining religious forms while living in covenant unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֗י1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּי֛וֹם2 of 16

“That in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וּפָֽקַדְתִּי֙3 of 16

“that I shall visit”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

פִשְׁעֵֽי4 of 16

“the transgressions”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל5 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עָלָ֑יו6 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּפָֽקַדְתִּי֙7 of 16

“that I shall visit”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עַל8 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ9 of 16

“of the altar”

H4196

an altar

בֵּֽית10 of 16
H0
אֵ֔ל11 of 16

“of Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וְנִגְדְּעוּ֙12 of 16

“shall be cut off”

H1438

to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything

קַרְנ֣וֹת13 of 16

“and the horns”

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ14 of 16

“of the altar”

H4196

an altar

וְנָפְל֖וּ15 of 16

“and fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לָאָֽרֶץ׃16 of 16

“to the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Amos. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Amos 3:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Amos 3:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 23:15Hosea 10:5-82 Chronicles 34:6-7Hosea 10:14-15Amos 5:5-6Micah 1:6-7

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
View all places in Amos 3 →

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