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.

But seek {H1875} not Bethel {H1008}, nor enter {H935} into Gilgal {H1537}, and pass {H5674} not to Beersheba {H884}: for Gilgal {H1537} shall surely {H1540} go into captivity {H1540}, and Bethel {H1008} shall come to nought {H205}.

but don't seek Beit-El, or enter Gilgal or pass on into Be'er-Sheva; for Gilgal will certainly go into exile, and Beit-El will come to nothing."

Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal; do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing.

but seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought.

Commentary

Context

The prophet Amos, a shepherd from Judah, delivered a stark message of judgment to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of relative prosperity but profound spiritual and moral decay. This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle where Amos calls Israel to genuine repentance, contrasting it sharply with their superficial religious practices.

The three cities mentioned—Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba—were significant religious and historical sites for the Israelites. However, by Amos's time, they had become centers of corrupted worship, particularly Bethel, which was notoriously associated with King Jeroboam's establishment of golden calf worship, a direct affront to the true worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. Gilgal and Beersheba, though historically sacred, had also been defiled by syncretistic and idolatrous practices, turning pilgrimage into a mere ritual without true devotion.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Corrupt Worship: God explicitly warns against seeking out these places of pilgrimage, not because of their historical significance, but because the worship practiced there was an abomination to Him. It highlights God's disdain for ritualism and outward show when the heart is far from Him and filled with injustice.
  • Divine Judgment and Futility: The pronouncement that "Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought" underscores the inevitable consequences of persistent idolatry and disobedience. These once-revered places, symbols of Israel's spiritual pride, would face utter destruction and humiliation, revealing the futility of their false hope.
  • Call to True Seeking: Implicit in the command to "seek not Bethel" is a powerful call to seek the Lord Himself. Amos repeatedly urges Israel to "seek the Lord, and live", emphasizing that true life and salvation are found only in genuine relationship with God, not in religious activity at corrupted shrines.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Bethel" literally means "House of God" (Hebrew: Bayt-’El), which makes its corruption into a center for idolatry particularly ironic and tragic. The phrase "come to nought" for Bethel (Hebrew: ’awen) carries the meaning of futility, wickedness, or emptiness, emphasizing the ultimate worthlessness and destructive nature of their false worship.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning against superficial religiosity. It challenges us to examine our own faith and ensure that our worship is not merely a set of rituals or traditions, but flows from a genuine heart committed to God. God values sincere devotion, righteousness, and justice more than outward religious observance. We are called to worship Him in spirit and in truth, ensuring our faith is authentic and impacts every area of our lives. The judgment on Bethel and Gilgal reminds us that God sees beyond appearances and holds us accountable for genuine obedience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.

  • Amos 4:4

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

  • Amos 8:14

    They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.

  • Genesis 21:33

    ¶ And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

  • 1 Samuel 7:16

    And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

  • Revelation 18:17

    For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

  • Leviticus 26:30

    And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
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