Amos 3:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

That in the day {H3117} that I shall visit {H6485} the transgressions {H6588} of Israel {H3478} upon him I will also visit {H6485} the altars {H4196} of Bethel {H1008}: and the horns {H7161} of the altar {H4196} shall be cut off {H1438}, and fall {H5307} to the ground {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"For when I punish Isra'el's crimes, I will also punish the altars of Beit-El. The horns of the altar will be cut off, and they will fall to the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

On the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off, and they will fall to the ground.

American Standard Version

For in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will also visit the altars of Beth-el; and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 3:14 delivers a stark prophetic declaration from God concerning His impending judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically targeting the idolatrous worship center at Bethel. It foretells a day when God will hold Israel accountable for their transgressions, leading to the complete dismantling of the altars at Bethel, symbolized by the cutting off and falling of their horns, signifying the utter removal of any false security or perceived spiritual refuge found in their apostate religious practices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 3:14 is situated within a series of divine pronouncements of judgment against Israel, following a rhetorical question in [Amos 3:3-8](/amos/3-3-8 "Amos 3:3-8 - God's Sovereign Purpose") that establishes God's direct involvement in the calamities befalling the nation. The preceding verses (Amos 3:9-12) describe the extensive social injustice and oppression within Samaria, Israel's capital, inviting foreign nations to witness their depravity. Verse 13 serves as a call for the remnant of Jacob to hear the Lord's testimony against them. Thus, verse 14 directly follows this indictment, specifying a key target of God's wrath: the religious heart of Israel's apostasy at Bethel, linking the nation's social sins to its spiritual rebellion. The subsequent verses in chapter 3 continue to detail the comprehensive nature of this judgment, extending to the luxurious homes of the wealthy (Amos 3:15).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Amos was delivered during the reigns of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel, a period of relative peace and economic prosperity for both kingdoms. However, beneath this veneer of success, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was rife with social injustice, moral corruption, and rampant idolatry. Bethel, though historically significant as a place where Jacob encountered God ([Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")), had been transformed by King Jeroboam I into a primary cultic center for the worship of golden calves ([1_kings/12-29](/1-kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel")), designed to prevent his subjects from worshipping in Jerusalem. This made Bethel a symbol of Israel's national apostasy and spiritual rebellion against the covenant God. The "horns of the altar" were prominent projections on the corners of altars, used for applying sacrificial blood ([Leviticus 4:7](/leviticus/4-7 "Leviticus 4:7 - Blood on the Altar Horns")) and as a place of asylum for those seeking refuge from vengeance ([1_kings/1-50](/1-kings/1-50 "1 Kings 1:50 - Adonijah Seeks Refuge")). Their destruction signified the complete removal of any perceived sanctuary or means of atonement within this corrupted system.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Amos. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment on Idolatry**, demonstrating God's unwavering intolerance for false worship and His commitment to purify His people. The specific targeting of Bethel's altars highlights that religious apostasy is a primary cause for divine wrath. Second, it emphasizes the **Inevitability of Consequences for Transgression**. God's "visiting" of Israel's transgressions directly upon them signifies that their actions, particularly their departure from true worship and justice (as detailed in [Amos 2:6-8](/amos/2-6-8 "Amos 2:6-8 - Israel's Sins Detailed")), will lead to a certain and severe reckoning. Finally, the destruction of the altar horns speaks to the **Futility of False Security**. Israel had placed its trust in a corrupted religious system, believing it offered protection or a means of appeasing God. The prophecy reveals that such humanly constructed refuges are utterly powerless against the righteous judgment of God, echoing the broader message that true security is found only in obedience to the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This primitive root (H6485) carries a wide range of meanings, from friendly inspection and care to hostile intervention and punishment. In Amos 3:14, the context clearly indicates the latter, signifying God's direct intervention to hold Israel accountable and to inflict judgment. It implies a thorough and decisive reckoning, where God "calls to account" or "punishes" for transgressions.
* **transgressions (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to revolt" or "to rebel," this noun (H6588) denotes a deliberate breach of covenant, a rebellion against divine authority. It is not merely an accidental sin but a willful act of defiance, whether national, moral, or religious. In this context, it refers to Israel's systemic idolatry, social injustice, and abandonment of God's laws, which are the direct cause for the impending divine visitation.
* **horns (Hebrew, _qeren'_):** This word (H7161) refers to a horn, often symbolizing power, strength, or authority. On an altar, the horns were sacred projections at each corner, central to the sacrificial ritual and a place of refuge. Their cutting off and falling to the ground signify the complete emasculation and destruction of the altar's power, sanctity, and ability to offer asylum or atonement, symbolizing the utter collapse of Israel's false religious system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him":** This clause establishes the timing and purpose of God's action. "The day" (yôwm, H3117) refers to a specific, appointed time of divine reckoning. God declares His intent to "visit" (pâqad, H6485) Israel's "transgressions" (peshaʻ, H6588), emphasizing that the judgment is a direct consequence of their deliberate rebellion and sin. The phrase "upon him" signifies that the punishment will fall directly on the nation of Israel.
* **"I will also visit the altars of Bethel":** This specifies the primary target of God's judgment. The "altars of Bethel" (mizbêach, H4196; Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) were the epicenter of Israel's idolatrous worship, established by Jeroboam I as a rival to Jerusalem. God's "visitation" here is not merely an inspection but a punitive act, indicating His direct intervention to dismantle the corrupted religious infrastructure that had led His people astray.
* **"and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground":** This final clause describes the comprehensive nature of the destruction. The "horns of the altar" (qeren, H7161) were the most sacred and symbolic parts of the altar, representing its power and providing a place of refuge. To have them "cut off" (gâdaʻ, H1438) and "fall to the ground" (nâphal, H5307; ʼerets, H776) signifies the complete and utter demolition of the altars, rendering them powerless and desecrated. It symbolizes the removal of any false hope, security, or atonement that Israel might have sought in their idolatrous practices.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 3:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Parallelism** is evident in the repeated use of "I shall visit," first in relation to "the transgressions of Israel" and then to "the altars of Bethel." This emphasizes the direct link between Israel's sin and the specific target of God's judgment, highlighting divine justice. **Symbolism** is central, particularly with "the altars of Bethel" representing the nation's deep-seated idolatry and spiritual apostasy, and "the horns of the altar" symbolizing the false security and perceived power of their corrupted religious system. The act of the horns being "cut off, and fall to the ground" is a powerful **metaphor** for the complete dismantling and utter futility of Israel's reliance on these false gods and their associated rituals. This imagery also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the broader destruction and exile that would ultimately befall the Northern Kingdom due to their unrepentant sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 3:14 powerfully articulates God's unwavering justice and His intolerance for idolatry and spiritual rebellion. It reveals that God's "visitation" can be for judgment, not just blessing, and that He holds His covenant people to account for their transgressions, especially when they pervert true worship. The destruction of the altars at Bethel signifies that no humanly constructed religious system, no matter how historically significant or culturally ingrained, can withstand divine scrutiny if it deviates from God's truth. This passage underscores the principle that outward religious observance without inward devotion and obedience is an abomination to God and will ultimately lead to ruin, demonstrating the severe consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness.

* [Psalm 78:58-60](/psalms/78-58-60 "Psalm 78:58-60 - God's Rejection of Shiloh")
* [Isaiah 2:18-21](/isaiah/2-18-21 "Isaiah 2:18-21 - Idols Cast Away")
* [Hosea 10:8](/hosea/10-8 "Hosea 10:8 - Destruction of High Places")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 3:14 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of God's holiness and His unyielding commitment to justice. For believers today, it challenges us to examine the authenticity of our own worship and the objects of our ultimate trust. Are we truly worshipping God in spirit and truth, or have we allowed "altars" of modern idolatry—such as wealth, success, comfort, or even religious traditions devoid of genuine devotion—to take root in our lives? This verse compels us to recognize that God sees beyond outward appearances and religious rituals, scrutinizing the heart's true allegiance. It warns against the dangerous illusion of false security, reminding us that any refuge sought outside of Christ and His truth will ultimately be exposed and shattered by God's righteous judgment. Our ultimate security and hope must reside solely in the Lord, for He alone is a true sanctuary.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "altars" or false sources of security might I be relying on in my life instead of fully trusting God?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate authentic worship of God "in spirit and in truth," rather than mere outward religious observance?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to "transgressions" or rebellion against God's will, and what steps can I take to repent and realign with His purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why was Bethel specifically targeted for judgment?**

Answer: Bethel was targeted because, despite its historical significance as a place where Jacob encountered God ([Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel")), it had become the primary center for idolatrous calf worship in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. King Jeroboam I established golden calves there ([1_kings/12-29](/1-kings/12-29 "Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel")) to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem to worship, turning a place once known as "house of God" into a symbol of national apostasy and rebellion against the true God. Thus, its destruction symbolized the dismantling of Israel's corrupted religious system.

**What is the significance of the "horns of the altar" being cut off?**

Answer: The "horns of the altar" were sacred projections on the corners of ancient altars, often used for applying sacrificial blood for atonement ([Leviticus 4:7](/leviticus/4-7 "Applying Blood to Altar Horns")) and as a place where individuals could seek asylum or refuge ([1_kings/1-50](/1-kings/1-50 "Adonijah Seeks Refuge at the Altar")). Their being "cut off, and fall to the ground" signifies the complete destruction and desecration of the altar. More profoundly, it symbolizes the utter removal of any false security, power, or means of atonement that the people believed their idolatrous religious practices offered. It represents the futility of seeking refuge in a system that God Himself has condemned.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 3:14, with its stark prophecy of judgment against Israel's idolatry and false worship at Bethel, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament altars, with their horns and sacrificial rituals, pointed forward to the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who takes away the sin of the world. The destruction of Bethel's altars signifies the futility of human attempts to establish a means of salvation or security apart from God's appointed way. In Christ, the need for physical altars and animal sacrifices is superseded, for He is both the [High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus Our Great High Priest") and the ultimate sacrifice, offering eternal atonement for our transgressions. The judgment against Israel's false worship foreshadows the truth that God demands genuine, spiritual worship, not empty rituals or idolatrous practices. Jesus declared that true worshippers would worship the Father [in spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"), a worship that is not confined to a physical temple or altar but is centered on Him. Thus, the cutting off of the altar horns at Bethel points to the dismantling of all false systems of salvation and the establishment of Christ as our sole and sufficient refuge, the [cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone") of a new, living temple built of believers.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 23:15

Moreover the altar that [was] at Bethel, [and] the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove.

Hosea 10:5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof [that] rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

Hosea 10:8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

2 Chronicles 34:6

And [so did he] in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.

2 Chronicles 34:7

And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

Hosea 10:14

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children.

Hosea 10:15

So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.