King James Version

What Does Amos 4:5 Mean?

Amos 4:5 in the King James Version says “And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O y...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. offer: Heb. offer by burning this: Heb. so ye love”

Amos 4:5 · KJV

Love

Context

3

And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD. cast: or, cast away the things of the palace

4

Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years: three: Heb. three years of days

5

And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. offer: Heb. offer by burning this: Heb. so ye love

6

And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

7

And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

Read Amos 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven (וְקַטֵּר מֵחָמֵץ תּוֹדָה)—The sarcasm intensifies. Chamets (leaven) was explicitly forbidden in most sacrifices (Leviticus 2:11), though permitted in peace offerings (Leviticus 7:13). Amos mocks their fastidious ritual while violating covenant substance. Proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel (וְקִרְאוּ נְדָבוֹת הַשְׁמִיעוּ כִּי כֵן אֲהַבְתֶּם)—Nedavot (free-will offerings) were voluntary acts of devotion, but Israel publicized them for self-glorification, not God's glory.

The Hebrew ki ken ahavtem ('for this liketh you') drips with irony—'for this you love!' They loved public religious performance, not covenant obedience. Jesus condemned identical hypocrisy: 'They have their reward' (Matthew 6:2). Israel's worship became self-congratulatory theatre rather than humble submission. The Reformers emphasized that true worship requires right heart posture, not merely correct ritual. Calvin wrote that external worship without internal devotion is 'mere hypocrisy and deceit.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's sacrificial system required specific procedures detailed in Leviticus. By Amos's era, northern Israel had corrupted worship through syncretism—mixing Yahweh worship with Canaanite fertility cult practices. They maintained sacrificial forms while abandoning covenantal ethics, creating a hollow religious facade that provoked divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual disciplines or church activities do you practice more for social recognition than genuine love for God?
  2. How does Jesus's warning against practicing righteousness 'to be seen by men' (Matthew 6:1) expose similar tendencies in your own religious life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְקַטֵּ֤ר1 of 14

“And offer”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

מֵֽחָמֵץ֙2 of 14

“with leaven”

H2557

ferment, (figuratively) extortion

תּוֹדָ֔ה3 of 14

“a sacrifice of thanksgiving”

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

וְקִרְא֥וּ4 of 14

“and proclaim”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

נְדָב֖וֹת5 of 14

“the free offerings”

H5071

properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift

הַשְׁמִ֑יעוּ6 of 14

“and publish”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כִּ֣י7 of 14
H3588

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

כֵ֤ן8 of 14

“for this”

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

אֲהַבְתֶּם֙9 of 14

“liketh”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

בְּנֵ֣י10 of 14

“you O ye children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל11 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

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

נְאֻ֖ם12 of 14

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י13 of 14

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃14 of 14
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 4:5 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 4:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 81:12Leviticus 22:18-21Hosea 9:10Matthew 15:13-14Matthew 23:23Hosea 9:1

Test Your Knowledge

Amos 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterAmos Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Amos 4 with CommentaryAll Amos ChaptersComplete Amos QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes