[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:
Seek him that maketh {H6213} the seven stars {H3598} and Orion {H3685}, and turneth {H2015} the shadow of death {H6757} into the morning {H1242}, and maketh the day {H3117} dark {H2821} with night {H3915}: that calleth {H7121} for the waters {H4325} of the sea {H3220}, and poureth them out {H8210} upon the face {H6440} of the earth {H776}: The LORD {H3068} is his name {H8034}:
He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who brings deathlike shadows over the morning, who darkens the day into night, who calls for the water in the sea and with it floods the earth - ADONAI is his name
He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth— the LORD is His name—
seek him that maketh the Pleiades 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 (Jehovah is his name);
-
Amos 4:13
For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what [is] his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, [is] his name. -
Job 9:9
Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. -
Amos 9:6
[It is] he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name. -
Amos 8:9
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: -
Psalms 104:20
Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep [forth]. -
Job 38:31
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? -
Job 38:32
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
Amos 5:8 presents a powerful declaration of God's unmatched sovereignty, urging the people of Israel to seek Him based on His attributes as the ultimate Creator and Controller of the cosmos and natural elements. This verse serves as a profound reminder of Yahweh's unique power in contrast to the false deities and idols worshipped by the unfaithful nation.
Context
This verse is part of a larger prophetic message in Amos, delivered to the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of relative prosperity but deep spiritual decay. The prophet Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, condemns Israel for its social injustice, idolatry, and failure to uphold God's covenant. Amidst calls for repentance and warnings of impending judgment (Amos 5:1-7), Amos 5:8 emphasizes the true nature of the God they should be seeking. The immediate context is a direct command to "Seek the LORD, and ye shall live" (Amos 5:4), with verse 8 describing exactly who this formidable God is.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Amos 5:8 calls believers today to reflect on the immense power and sovereignty of God. In times of uncertainty or fear, this verse reminds us that the same God who controls the stars and the elements also oversees our lives. It encourages us to: