King James Version

What Does Amos 5:14 Mean?

Amos 5:14 in the King James Version says “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.”

Amos 5:14 · KJV

Context

12

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. a bribe: or, a ransom

13

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

14

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

15

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

16

Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amos issues a straightforward command: "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken." The Hebrew dirshu-tov ve'al-ra lema'an tichyu viyhi-khen YHWH Elohei-tzeva'ot itkhem ka'asher amartem contrasts seeking good versus evil. The verb darash (דָּרַשׁ, "seek") implies active, diligent pursuit—not passive avoidance but intentional action toward righteousness.

"Good" (tov, טוֹב) in context means justice, righteousness, and covenant faithfulness—specifically protecting the poor, maintaining honest courts, and rejecting oppression. "Evil" (ra, רַע) refers to the social injustice Amos condemns throughout: selling the righteous for silver (2:6), oppressing the poor (4:1, 5:11), perverting justice (5:7, 12). This isn't abstract morality but concrete ethical demands of covenant law.

The promise "that ye may live" (lema'an tichyu) offers life as consequence of seeking good. The Hebrew chayah (חָיָה) means both physical survival (escaping coming judgment) and covenantal flourishing. The phrase "and so the LORD... shall be with you" (viyhi-khen YHWH... itkhem) promises divine presence—the ultimate covenant blessing. The devastating addition "as ye have spoken" (ka'asher amartem) exposes Israel's presumption. They claimed God was with them (likely citing covenant promises), but Amos declares: God's presence is conditional on obedience, not automatic because of ethnic identity.

This verse demolishes two errors: (1) works-righteousness (thinking good deeds earn salvation) and (2) cheap grace (presuming covenant status nullifies moral accountability). True faith seeks good because it loves God and neighbor. As James 2:17 states: "faith, if it hath not works, is dead." Salvation is by grace through faith alone, but saving faith necessarily produces good works.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah, prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). This was a time of territorial expansion and economic boom, creating massive wealth inequality. The wealthy elite oppressed the poor through debt slavery, corrupt courts, and economic exploitation. Despite maintaining elaborate worship at Bethel and Dan, Israel had abandoned covenant faithfulness for social injustice and religious syncretism. Amos condemned their exploitation of the vulnerable while predicting imminent judgment through Assyrian conquest. His prophecies were fulfilled when Assyria destroyed Israel in 722 BC, about 30 years after his ministry.

Amos was contemporary with Hosea and ministered during Israel's last period of prosperity before destruction. As a southerner from Judah called to prophesy in northern Israel, he was an unwelcome outsider delivering an unwanted message. His emphasis on social justice and his declaration that religious ritual cannot substitute for righteousness make his message perpetually relevant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Amos 5:14 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
דִּרְשׁוּ1 of 14

“Seek”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

ט֥וֹב2 of 14

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְאַל3 of 14
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

רָ֖ע4 of 14

“and not evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

לְמַ֣עַן5 of 14
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תִּֽחְי֑וּ6 of 14

“that ye may live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וִיהִי7 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כֵ֞ן8 of 14
H3651

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

יְהוָ֧ה9 of 14

“and so the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵֽי10 of 14

“the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

צְבָא֛וֹת11 of 14

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אִתְּכֶ֖ם12 of 14
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲמַרְתֶּֽם׃14 of 14

“shall be with you as ye have spoken”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 5:14 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 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 1:9Matthew 6:33Micah 6:8Micah 3:11Philippians 4:8-92 Timothy 4:22

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