Amos 5:26

KJV

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

KJV (with Strong's)

But ye have borne {H5375} the tabernacle {H5522} of your Moloch {H4428} and Chiun {H3594} your images {H6754}, the star {H3556} of your god {H430}, which ye made {H6213} to yourselves.

Complete Jewish Bible

No, but now you will bear Sikkut as your king and Kiyun, your images, the star of your god, which you made for yourselves;

Berean Standard Bible

You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves.

American Standard Version

Yea, ye have borne the tabernacle of your king and the shrine of your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:26 delivers a profound divine indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exposing their deep-seated and persistent idolatry despite their outward religious observances. The prophet reveals that alongside their worship of Yahweh, the Israelites secretly or overtly carried and revered "tabernacles" and "images" dedicated to pagan deities like Moloch and Chiun, a star god, which they had crafted for themselves. This verse underscores the pervasive spiritual hypocrisy of the nation, highlighting that their hearts were far from God, leading inevitably to His righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a powerful section of Amos's prophecy where God expresses His profound displeasure with Israel's religious hypocrisy and social injustice. Immediately preceding [Amos 5:26](/amos/5-26 "Amos 5:26 - Israel's Idolatry Exposed"), the Lord explicitly rejects their elaborate festivals, solemn assemblies, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, declaring that He will not accept them because their hearts are not right and justice does not flow like a river ([Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Rejects Empty Worship")). Instead of truly seeking the Lord, as commanded earlier in the chapter ([Amos 5:4](/amos/5-4 "Amos 5:4 - Seek the Lord and Live")), they had turned to foreign gods. This verse, therefore, serves as a crucial revelation of the underlying spiritual unfaithfulness that fueled God's rejection and justified the impending judgment of exile declared in the subsequent verse ([Amos 5:27](/amos/5-27 "Amos 5:27 - The Consequence of Idolatry")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (c. 793–753 BC). Despite economic flourishing, this period was marked by severe social injustice, moral decay, and rampant religious syncretism. The Israelites, particularly in the north, frequently blended the worship of Yahweh with the cultic practices of surrounding Canaanite and Mesopotamian religions. Moloch was a notorious Ammonite or Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice, a practice explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). Chiun, often identified with the planet Saturn or a Mesopotamian star god, points to astral worship, another form of idolatry prevalent in the ancient Near East. The mention of "tabernacle" and "images" suggests portable shrines or cultic objects, indicating that this idolatry might have been practiced privately or during specific pagan rituals, perhaps even alongside official Yahweh worship, demonstrating a deep-seated spiritual compromise.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:26 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Amos and the broader prophetic tradition. The most prominent is **Idolatry and Syncretism**, highlighting Israel's grave sin of worshipping foreign deities, Moloch and Chiun, alongside or in place of Yahweh, a direct violation of the first two commandments of the Decalogue ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Two Commandments")). Another crucial theme is **Hidden Sin and Divine Exposure**, as God, through Amos, reveals the covert or outwardly disguised unfaithfulness of His people, demonstrating His omniscience and judgment that penetrates beyond superficial religious performance. The phrase "which ye made to yourselves" underscores the theme of **Man-Made Religion**, emphasizing that this worship was a deliberate choice by the people, born of human desire and pagan influence, rather than divine command. This stands in stark contrast to the true worship of Yahweh, which is based on His revealed word and covenant, further emphasizing Israel's **Covenant Unfaithfulness**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Moloch (Hebrew, _melek'_):** (H4428) From the root meaning "to reign" or "king." While the word itself means "king," in this context, it refers to the Ammonite deity notorious for demanding child sacrifice. The use of "Moloch" here highlights the specific, abhorrent nature of one of the pagan cults Israel had embraced, contrasting sharply with the righteous demands of the true King, Yahweh.
* **Chiun (Hebrew, _Kîyûwn'_):** (H3594) This term, derived from a root meaning "to establish" or "to set up," properly refers to a "statue" or "idol." However, it is used euphemistically for a heathen deity, often identified with the planet Saturn or a star god. This identification is reinforced by the subsequent phrase "the star of your god," linking Chiun directly to astral worship, a common form of idolatry in the ancient world.
* **tabernacle (Hebrew, _çikkûwth'_):** (H5522) This feminine noun refers to an "(idolatrous) booth" or "shrine." Unlike the sacred Tabernacle of Yahweh (mishkan), this term denotes a small, portable shrine or tent used for pagan worship. Its presence suggests that the Israelites carried these cultic objects with them, indicating a deep, personal commitment to these false gods, perhaps even in a clandestine manner, alongside their public religious duties to Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch":** This clause reveals Israel's active participation in idolatry. The verb "borne" (nâsâʼ, H5375) implies carrying or lifting, suggesting that the Israelites physically transported these idolatrous shrines, perhaps in processions or for private worship. The "tabernacle of your Moloch" refers to a portable shrine or booth dedicated to the pagan deity Moloch, indicating a deep and personal commitment to this cult, despite its abhorrent practices (like child sacrifice).
* **"and Chiun your images":** This expands the indictment to include another specific deity, Chiun, and "your images" (tselem, H6754), which are representative figures or idols. This indicates that alongside the portable shrine for Moloch, they also possessed and revered physical representations of Chiun, likely statues or figurines. The plural "images" suggests a multiplicity of such objects or a general practice of image worship.
* **"the star of your god":** This phrase directly identifies Chiun with a celestial deity, specifically a "star god" (kôwkâb, H3556). This points to astral worship, a common form of idolatry in the ancient Near East, where celestial bodies were deified and worshipped. It clarifies the nature of Chiun as a deity associated with the heavens, possibly the planet Saturn, as understood by later interpreters.
* **"which ye made to yourselves":** This concluding phrase powerfully emphasizes the human agency and self-will involved in this idolatry (ʻâsâh, H6213). It highlights that these gods and their worship were not divinely commanded or revealed by Yahweh, but were entirely human constructs, chosen and fashioned by the Israelites themselves. This underscores their rebellion against God's exclusive claim on their worship and their deliberate turning away from the covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:26 employs several potent literary devices to convey its sharp indictment. **Irony** is prominent, as the people, who should have been "borne" by God's faithfulness and carried His covenant, instead "borne" the physical burdens of their self-made idols, a symbol of their spiritual burden and apostasy. The phrase "tabernacle of your Moloch" uses **Metonymy**, where "tabernacle" (a container or dwelling place) stands for the entire cultic system and the presence of the idol itself, symbolizing the deep embrace of pagan practices. Similarly, "the star of your god" is a **Symbol** for the deity Chiun, representing the astral worship associated with this idol. The entire verse functions as a direct and severe **Indictment** or **Accusation**, with the prophet (speaking for God) directly confronting the people ("ye have borne") with their hidden and blatant idolatry, exposing their spiritual unfaithfulness in stark terms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:26 stands as a stark reminder of the persistent human propensity for idolatry, a theme woven throughout biblical history. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for exclusive worship, as articulated in the first commandment. Idolatry, whether in the form of physical images or the worship of created things, is a profound affront to God's unique glory and a betrayal of the covenant relationship. It represents a turning from the living God to dead, man-made substitutes, leading to spiritual barrenness and divine judgment. The prophet Amos reveals that Israel's outward religious performance was a hollow shell, masking a heart deeply committed to rival deities, demonstrating that God sees beyond external rituals into the true affections of the heart. This passage serves as a timeless warning against syncretism and the dangers of allowing anything to usurp God's rightful place in our lives.

* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Two Commandments")
* [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Astral Worship")
* [Acts 7:42-43](/acts/7-42-43 "Acts 7:42-43 - Stephen's Quotation of Amos 5:26")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:26 serves as a piercing mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the true objects of our devotion. While we may not carry physical "tabernacles of Moloch" or "images of Chiun," the human heart remains fertile ground for idolatry. Modern idols are often more subtle, manifesting as an inordinate pursuit of wealth, power, comfort, social approval, career success, or even self-reliance and personal autonomy. Anything that consumes our primary affection, dictates our decisions, or provides our ultimate security and meaning apart from God can become an idol. This verse calls us to a radical self-assessment, asking if our outward religious expressions are matched by an undivided heart devoted solely to the Lord. It warns against the spiritual compromise of syncretism, where we attempt to blend Christian faith with worldly values or pursuits, effectively creating a "god which ye made to yourselves." True worship demands wholehearted allegiance and a willingness to dismantle any shrine, visible or invisible, that competes with God's rightful supremacy in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "tabernacles" or "images" we might be carrying in our hearts today that compete with our devotion to God?**
* **How does the "star of your god, which ye made to yourselves" manifest in contemporary forms of self-made spirituality, reliance on human wisdom, or the deification of personal desires?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing a form of "syncretism," blending Christian faith with worldly values or pursuits, rather than pursuing singular devotion to Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Moloch" and "Chiun" in this verse?**

Answer: "Moloch" (H4428) was a Canaanite or Ammonite deity, notoriously associated with child sacrifice, a practice vehemently condemned in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice to Moloch")). Its mention here highlights the extreme depravity of Israel's idolatry. "Chiun" (H3594) is less certainly identified but is widely understood as a star god, possibly representing the planet Saturn, as implied by the subsequent phrase "the star of your god." This connection to astral worship was common in the ancient Near East. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translates Chiun as "Rephan," which is the name Stephen uses when quoting this verse in his sermon in [Acts 7:43](/acts/7-43 "Acts 7:43 - Stephen's Reference to Rephan"), confirming its historical reality as a foreign deity worshipped by the Israelites. Together, Moloch and Chiun represent the pervasive and diverse foreign idolatry that had infiltrated Israel, drawing them away from exclusive worship of Yahweh.

**Why does Amos 5:26 use "tabernacle" for an idol?**

Answer: The term "tabernacle" (çikkûwth, H5522) in this context refers to an "idolatrous booth" or "shrine," not the sacred Tabernacle of Yahweh. Its use here implies a small, portable structure or container designed to house or be associated with an idol. The act of "bearing" or carrying these tabernacles suggests that the idolatrous worship was not merely static or confined to specific pagan temples, but was actively carried about by the people, perhaps for private devotion, during specific pagan festivals, or even in a clandestine manner alongside their official worship of Yahweh. This indicates a deep, personal, and pervasive commitment to these false gods, highlighting the extent to which idolatry had become ingrained in the daily lives and practices of the Israelites, even if hidden from public view.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 5:26, with its stark indictment of Israel's idolatry, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. First, Jesus Christ perfectly embodies the exclusive worship of God that Israel failed to render. He is the ultimate revelation of the true God, calling humanity to worship the Father "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), thereby dismantling the need for man-made gods and their "tabernacles." He exposes the futility and emptiness of any worship directed towards created things or human constructs, contrasting sharply with the "star of your god, which ye made to yourselves." Second, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross provides the means for humanity to be purified from the idolatry that enslaved Israel. Through His blood, believers are redeemed from their vain ways and empowered by the Holy Spirit to turn "from idols to serve the living and true God" ([1_thessalonians/1-9-10](/1-thessalonians/1-9-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Turning from Idols to God")). Finally, Jesus Himself is the "true light that gives light to everyone" ([John 1:9](/john/1-9 "John 1:9 - Jesus, the True Light")), standing in stark contrast to the deceptive "star of your god" that led Israel astray. He calls His followers to a singular allegiance, reminding them that "no one can serve two masters" ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")), thus fulfilling the divine demand for exclusive devotion that Amos's prophecy so powerfully underscored.

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 23:12

And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.

2 Kings 23:13

And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

1 Kings 11:33

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

Leviticus 20:2

Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever [he be] of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth [any] of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Leviticus 20:5

Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

Leviticus 18:21

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.