Amos 4:4

KJV

Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, [and] your tithes after three years:

KJV (with Strong's)

Come {H935} to Bethel {H1008}, and transgress {H6586}; at Gilgal {H1537} multiply {H7235} transgression {H6586}; and bring {H935} your sacrifices {H2077} every morning {H1242}, and your tithes {H4643} after three {H7969} years {H3117}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Come to Beit-El, and commit crimes; to Gilgal, and commit more crimes! Bring your sacrifices in the morning and your tithes after three days;

Berean Standard Bible

“Go to Bethel and transgress; rebel even more at Gilgal! Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days.

American Standard Version

Come to Beth-el, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes every three days;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 4:4 delivers a scathing, ironic indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exposing the profound hypocrisy and spiritual futility of their religious practices. The prophet sarcastically commands them to continue their fervent but empty rituals at the corrupted sanctuaries of Bethel and Gilgal, highlighting that their very acts of worship, devoid of true righteousness and justice, were in fact escalating their transgression against God. This verse serves as a powerful condemnation of external religious performance divorced from internal transformation and obedience to God's covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 4:4 is situated within a series of prophetic pronouncements against Israel, specifically following a lament over the nation's spiritual decay and a description of God's repeated, yet unheeded, attempts to call them back through various judgments (Amos 4:6-11). The preceding verses (Amos 4:1-3) condemn the "cows of Bashan"—the wealthy, oppressive women of Samaria—for their luxurious lifestyles built on the exploitation of the poor. This immediate context sets the stage for Amos 4:4, which then pivots to denounce the religious hypocrisy that coexisted with such social injustice. The verse acts as a sharp, ironic climax to the prophet's critique of Israel's spiritual state before moving into a detailed account of their unresponsiveness to divine discipline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the reign of Jeroboam II (circa 793-753 BCE), the Northern Kingdom of Israel experienced a period of remarkable economic prosperity and territorial expansion, reminiscent of the Solomonic era. However, this material wealth was not accompanied by spiritual fidelity. Instead, it fueled rampant social injustice, oppression of the poor, and widespread idolatry. The religious centers of Bethel and Gilgal, though historically significant, had become corrupted. Bethel, originally sanctified by [Jacob's vision](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel"), was later established by Jeroboam I as a royal sanctuary with a golden calf cult to prevent his people from worshipping in Jerusalem ([1 Kings 12:29](/1_kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves at Bethel")). Gilgal, a place of covenant renewal and the initial encampment after crossing the Jordan ([Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - Israel's Circumcision at Gilgal")), had also devolved into a site of syncretistic worship. Amos, a shepherd from Judah, was sent by God to confront this spiritual apostasy and social decay, highlighting that their religious fervor was a façade for deep-seated rebellion.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 4:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Amos and prophetic literature generally. Foremost is the **Ironic Condemnation of False Worship**, where God rejects religious ritual performed without genuine devotion, justice, or obedience. The prophet's sarcastic command underscores that Israel's very acts of worship at these corrupted sites were, in God's eyes, acts of sin and rebellion. This ties into the theme of **External Ritual vs. Internal Righteousness**, emphasizing that God desires a transformed heart and righteous living over mere outward religious observance. This prophetic critique is echoed in other books, such as [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God Rejects Empty Rituals") and [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires"). The verse also highlights **Spiritual Blindness and Self-Deception**, as the people believed their fervent religious activity made them righteous, despite their widespread social injustices and idolatry. Ultimately, the sarcasm serves as a dire warning of **Impending Judgment**, a dominant theme throughout Amos, as their persistent, multiplied transgression would inevitably lead to divine retribution.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bethel (Hebrew, _Bêyth-ʼÊl'_):** From the words for "house" and "God," literally "House of God." This name carries immense irony in Amos 4:4. What was once a sacred site, consecrated by Jacob's vision as a dwelling place for God, had become a center for idolatry and false worship under Jeroboam I. Amos's sarcastic command to "Come to Bethel, and transgress" highlights the tragic perversion of this once holy place, where acts intended as worship were now considered rebellion against the true God.
* **transgress (Hebrew, _pâshaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to break away (from just authority)," "trespass," "apostasize," or "quarrel." It denotes a deliberate rebellion or breach of covenant, often implying an intentional revolt against a higher authority. By using this strong term, Amos emphasizes that Israel's religious practices were not merely misguided but were a conscious, defiant act of rebellion against the covenant relationship they had with Yahweh. The repetition and command to "multiply transgression" underscore the escalating and systemic nature of their covenant breaking.
* **tithes (Hebrew, _maʻăsêr'_):** From a root meaning "a tenth," specifically referring to a tithe. The tithe was a divinely ordained offering, typically a tenth of one's produce or income, to support the Levites, the poor, and the sanctuary. The phrase "your tithes after three years" refers to the triennial tithe, specifically designated for the Levites, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, to be eaten within their towns ([Deuteronomy 14:28-29](/deuteronomy/14-28-29 "Deuteronomy 14:28-29 - The Triennial Tithe")). Amos's inclusion of this seemingly pious act within the sarcastic command to "transgress" reveals that even their adherence to specific Mosaic laws was corrupted by their overall spiritual rebellion and lack of justice, rendering the ritual meaningless in God's eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Come to Bethel, and transgress;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the biting **sarcasm** that defines the verse. Amos is not genuinely inviting them to sin; rather, he is highlighting that their current "worship" at Bethel is, in God's estimation, nothing less than transgression. Bethel, once a holy site, had become synonymous with rebellion due to the golden calf cult established there, making their religious activities there an affront to Yahweh.
* **"at Gilgal multiply transgression;":** The prophet extends the sarcastic command to Gilgal, another historically significant site that had also become a center for false worship. The phrase "multiply transgression" intensifies the indictment, suggesting that their continued, fervent religious activity at these corrupted sanctuaries was not only sinful but was compounding their rebellion against God. The more they engaged in these rituals, the more they sinned.
* **"and bring your sacrifices every morning,":** This clause points to the mechanical and routine nature of their worship. Daily sacrifices were a legitimate part of Israelite worship, but here, the emphasis is on the *frequency* and *regularity* of the offerings, implying a zealous adherence to the outward form without the accompanying inward devotion or righteous living. The sarcasm reveals that even these prescribed acts, when performed in a state of spiritual apostasy, were unacceptable to God.
* **"and your tithes after three years:":** This final clause refers to the specific triennial tithe, a command found in the Mosaic Law for the support of the needy. Its inclusion further underscores the irony: Israel meticulously observed even the less frequent, specific commandments, yet their overall spiritual and moral condition was one of profound rebellion. Amos is showing that their scrupulous adherence to certain rituals could not compensate for their fundamental rejection of God's covenant demands for justice and true worship.

#### Literary Devices
The dominant literary device employed in Amos 4:4 is **Sarcasm** (a form of verbal irony). Amos uses a command that is the opposite of what he truly means, intending to mock and condemn Israel's actions. By telling them to "Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression," he is not encouraging sin but rather exposing the reality that their current religious practices *are* transgression. This sarcasm is heightened by the subsequent commands to bring "sacrifices every morning" and "tithes after three years," which were ostensibly pious acts. The **Irony** lies in the stark contrast between Israel's perception of their religious devotion and God's judgment of it. They believed their rituals made them righteous, but Amos reveals that these very acts, performed in hypocrisy and alongside grave social injustice, were escalating their sin. The prophet's use of these devices makes the indictment exceptionally sharp and memorable, forcing the audience to confront the futility and offense of their empty religious zeal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 4:4 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship, emphasizing that God values genuine devotion, righteousness, and justice over mere external religious observance. It exposes the dangerous delusion of believing that ritualistic adherence can compensate for a heart far from God or a life devoid of ethical integrity. The Lord desires a relationship built on love and obedience, not a performance of duties. This critique of empty ritual is a recurring theme throughout the prophetic tradition, highlighting God's consistent demand for internal transformation and ethical living as the foundation of acceptable worship.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 4:4 remains powerfully relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless warning against the perils of religious hypocrisy and the temptation to substitute outward activity for inward transformation. It challenges us to critically examine the authenticity of our spiritual practices: are our church attendance, giving, service, and prayer life rooted in a genuine love for God and a sincere commitment to living righteously, or are they merely a routine performance? The verse compels us to consider whether our spiritual zeal is matched by a corresponding passion for justice, compassion for the marginalized, and integrity in all areas of life. God is not impressed by the quantity or frequency of our religious acts if our hearts are distant from Him or if our lives contradict His character. True worship, as Amos powerfully illustrates, is holistic, encompassing both fervent devotion to God and active love for our neighbor, reflecting a transformed heart that seeks to honor Him in spirit and in truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I be prioritizing outward religious activity over genuine heart transformation and ethical living?**
* **How does my commitment to worship and spiritual disciplines translate into my pursuit of justice and compassion for others in my community?**
* **Am I truly seeking to honor God with my whole life, or am I prone to self-deception regarding the sincerity of my faith?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my worship is not just a ritual, but a genuine expression of love and obedience to God?**

### FAQ

**What is the main message of Amos 4:4?**

Answer: The main message of Amos 4:4 is a scathing, ironic condemnation of Israel's hypocritical religious practices. Amos is not literally telling them to sin, but rather exposing that their fervent worship at corrupted sites like Bethel and Gilgal, divorced from true righteousness and justice, was itself an act of rebellion and transgression against God. It highlights that God values genuine obedience and a transformed heart over empty ritual. This theme is echoed in Jesus' teaching about the importance of inner purity over outward show, as seen in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees").

**Why does Amos specifically mention Bethel and Gilgal?**

Answer: Amos specifically mentions Bethel and Gilgal because they were significant religious centers in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, but had become corrupted by idolatry and false worship. Bethel, though historically sanctified by [Jacob's dream](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel"), became a site for Jeroboam I's golden calf cult ([1 Kings 12:29](/1_kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves at Bethel")). Gilgal, a place of covenant renewal and the first encampment after crossing the Jordan ([Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - Israel's Circumcision at Gilgal")), also became a center for pagan practices. By naming these places, Amos underscores the pervasive nature of Israel's spiritual apostasy, showing that even their most sacred sites were defiled by their rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 4:4, with its sharp indictment of empty ritual and hypocritical worship, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus consistently challenged the externalism and legalism of the religious leaders of His day, echoing Amos's critique that outward adherence to the law or religious tradition was meaningless without a transformed heart. He condemned those who honored God with their lips but had hearts far from Him ([Matthew 15:8-9](/matthew/15-8-9 "Matthew 15:8-9 - Honoring God with Lips Only")), much like Amos condemned Israel's sacrifices and tithes. Jesus Himself became the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, rendering the daily animal sacrifices obsolete, for He offered His life "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Moreover, Christ fulfills the law's demand for righteousness, not through ritualistic observance, but through His perfect obedience and by establishing a new covenant where the law is written on the heart ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant in Hebrews")). True worship, as taught by Jesus, is not confined to sacred places like Bethel or Gilgal, but is to be offered "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), emphasizing the internal reality of faith and genuine devotion that Amos longed to see in Israel.

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

Hosea 4:15

Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, [yet] let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

Ezekiel 20:39

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter [also], if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

Hosea 9:15

All their wickedness [is] in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes [are] revolters.

Hosea 12:11

[Is there] iniquity [in] Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars [are] as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Matthew 23:32

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Amos 5:5

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.

Numbers 28:3

And thou shalt say unto them, This [is] the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, [for] a continual burnt offering.