King James Version

What Does Amos 5:6 Mean?

Amos 5:6 in the King James Version says “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none t...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.”

Amos 5:6 · KJV

Context

4

For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:

5

But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.

6

Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

7

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

8

Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Seek the LORD, and ye shall live (דִּרְשׁוּ אֶת־יְהוָה וִחְיוּ, dirshu et-YHWH vihyu)—in stark contrast to verse 5's prohibition against seeking Beth-el, Gilgal, and Beer-sheba, God commands seeking Himself, not religious locations. The verb darash (דָּרַשׁ, "seek diligently") implies active, intentional pursuit of God's presence, will, and ways. The promise "and ye shall live" (vihyu, וִחְיוּ) offers both physical survival (escaping coming judgment) and spiritual vitality. This echoes 5:4—seeking God is the only path to life.

The urgent warning follows: lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Beth-el (pen-yitsalach ka'esh beit Yosef ve'akhelah ve'ein mekhabeh leBeit-El, פֶּן־יִצְלַח כָּאֵשׁ בֵּית יוֹסֵף וְאָכְלָה וְאֵין מְכַבֶּה לְבֵית־אֵל). The verb tsalach (צָלַח, "break out/rush forth") depicts fire bursting forth uncontrollably. "House of Joseph" refers to northern Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, dominated the north). God's wrath will consume like unquenchable fire—and Beth-el's shrine cannot save. The phrase "none to quench it" emphasizes helplessness before divine judgment. The very shrine Israel trusted will prove powerless.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Beth-el's fire imagery may reference literal burning during Assyrian conquest or metaphorical fire of divine wrath. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets use fire imagery for God's consuming judgment (Isaiah 33:14, Jeremiah 4:4, 21:12). The New Testament continues this: Hebrews 12:29 declares "our God is a consuming fire," and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 describes Christ's return "in flaming fire taking vengeance." The "house of Joseph" terminology distinguishes northern Israel (Joseph's descendants) from Judah. By Amos's time, the kingdoms had been divided 150+ years. Amos's warning proved true—Assyria burned Israelite cities (confirmed archaeologically by destruction layers showing fire), and Beth-el's sanctuary couldn't save the kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God command seeking Himself rather than religious locations, rituals, or traditions?
  2. How does the imagery of unquenchable fire emphasize both the intensity and inevitability of divine judgment?
  3. What is the relationship between genuine seeking of God (verse 6a) and deliverance from judgment (verse 6b)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
דִּרְשׁ֥וּ1 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

אֶת2 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וִֽחְי֑וּ4 of 14

“and ye shall live”

H2421

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

פֶּן5 of 14
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יִצְלַ֤ח6 of 14

“lest he break out”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

כָּאֵשׁ֙7 of 14

“like fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בֵּ֣ית8 of 14

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יוֹסֵ֔ף9 of 14

“of Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

וְאָכְלָ֥ה10 of 14

“and devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְאֵין11 of 14
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְכַבֶּ֖ה12 of 14

“it and there be none to quench”

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

לְבֵֽית13 of 14
H0
אֵֽל׃14 of 14

“it in Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

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 5:6 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 5:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 20:47-48Ezekiel 33:11Isaiah 55:6Zechariah 10:6Amos 5:14Mark 9:43-48

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
View all places in Amos 5 →

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