Amos 8:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

They that swear {H7650} by the sin {H819} of Samaria {H8111}, and say {H559}, Thy god {H430}, O Dan {H1835}, liveth {H2416}; and, The manner {H1870} of Beersheba {H884} liveth {H2416}; even they shall fall {H5307}, and never rise up {H6965} again.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who swear by the sin of Shomron, who say, 'As your god, Dan, lives,' and, 'As the way of Be'er-Sheva lives' - they will fall and never get up again."

Berean Standard Bible

Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria and say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’ or, ‘As surely as the way of Beersheba lives’— they will fall, never to rise again.”

American Standard Version

They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, As thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, As the way of Beer-sheba liveth; they shall fall, and never rise up again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 8:14 delivers a severe prophetic indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically targeting their pervasive idolatry and syncretistic worship practices centered in Samaria, Dan, and Beersheba. The verse condemns those who pledge allegiance to false deities and corrupted forms of worship, declaring that their spiritual infidelity will inevitably lead to a catastrophic and irreversible downfall, signifying God's unyielding judgment against their rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the latter half of Amos's prophecy, following a series of visions depicting Israel's impending judgment (Amos 7-9). Specifically, it appears after the vision of the basket of summer fruit, which symbolizes that Israel's end is near (Amos 8:1-3). Amos 8 details the specific sins that provoke God's wrath, including social injustice, exploitation of the poor, and rampant idolatry (Amos 8:4-6). The immediate verses preceding Amos 8:14 pronounce a coming famine, not of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11-13), underscoring the spiritual desolation that will accompany their physical judgment. Thus, Amos 8:14 serves as a climactic declaration of the fate awaiting those who persist in their idolatrous ways, directly linking their false worship to their ultimate ruin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amos prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Uzziah in Judah (Southern Kingdom), a period of significant economic prosperity and political stability in Israel (around 760-750 BC). However, this outward success masked deep spiritual decay and moral corruption. The capital, Samaria, was a hub of both wealth and idolatry, often associated with Baal worship and the golden calves established by Jeroboam I. Dan, located in the far north, was one of the two sites where King Jeroboam I had set up a golden calf to prevent the people from traveling to Jerusalem for worship, thereby establishing a rival religious system (see [1 Kings 12:29](/1_kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Dan and Bethel")). Beersheba, though geographically in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, had historically been a significant patriarchal site (e.g., [Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "Genesis 21:31 - Abraham and the Well of the Oath")) and had developed into a pilgrimage center for unauthorized, syncretistic, or even pagan worship, drawing people away from the legitimate worship in Jerusalem. The mention of these three locations—Samaria (the political and spiritual center), Dan (the northern idolatrous outpost), and Beersheba (a southern, perhaps syncretistic, pilgrimage site)—highlights the widespread nature of Israel's spiritual compromise, spanning the entire breadth of the land.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 8:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Amos and the broader prophetic literature. A primary theme is **Idolatry and Spiritual Apostasy**, as the verse directly confronts the worship of false gods and corrupted religious practices. The reference to "the sin of Samaria" and the invocation of "Thy god, O Dan, liveth" explicitly condemns the nation's abandonment of the covenant Lord for man-made deities and unauthorized cults. This ties into the theme of **Exclusive Worship of Yahweh**, emphasizing God's demand for singular devotion, a foundational principle of the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment")). Furthermore, the stark declaration "even they shall fall, and never rise up again" underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Inevitable Consequence**. Amos consistently proclaims that Israel's persistent rebellion will lead to severe and irreversible punishment, demonstrating God's justice and faithfulness to His covenant warnings (e.g., [Amos 3:2](/amos/3-2 "Amos 3:2 - God's Judgment on Israel")). The verse also touches on **False Security**, as the people's misplaced trust in their idolatrous practices and their belief that these false gods "live" provides no genuine protection against God's impending wrath.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Hebrew, _ʼashmâh'_):** This word denotes guiltiness, a fault, or the presentation of a sin-offering. In the context of "the sin of Samaria," it points to the inherent guilt and culpability of the capital city, not merely for isolated acts of transgression but for a foundational, pervasive state of spiritual corruption rooted in idolatry. It implies that idolatry was not just *a* sin but the very essence of Samaria's offense against God.
* **manner (Hebrew, _derek'_):** Meaning "a road," "a course of life," or "mode of action," _derek_ here refers to the religious practices, customs, or "way" of worship associated with Beersheba. The phrase "The manner of Beersheba liveth" indicates that the specific, corrupt religious practices observed there were considered by the people to be vibrant and efficacious, a living alternative to Yahweh worship, thus highlighting the deep syncretism and spiritual deviation.
* **fall (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** This primitive root signifies "to fall" in a wide variety of applications, including to cease, die, perish, or be overthrown. In Amos 8:14, "even they shall fall" predicts a definitive and catastrophic collapse for those engaged in idolatry. It implies not merely a stumble but a complete and utter defeat, a permanent state of ruin from which recovery is impossible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They that swear by the sin of Samaria":** This clause identifies the primary group under divine judgment: those who make oaths or pledge allegiance by the idolatrous practices centered in Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. "The sin of Samaria" functions as a metonymy for the golden calf worship and Baal cults prevalent there, signifying that their very oaths, which should be made in the name of the Lord, are now bound to their fundamental rebellion against Him.
* **"and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth;":** This continues to describe the idolatrous allegiance, specifically naming Dan, the northernmost center of golden calf worship established by Jeroboam I. The declaration "Thy god, O Dan, liveth" is a direct challenge to the exclusive sovereignty of Yahweh, as it attributes life and power to a false deity, a man-made idol, implying a vibrant, active presence for this false god.
* **"and, The manner of Beersheba liveth;":** This parallel phrase extends the indictment to Beersheba, a southern site that had become a center for unauthorized or syncretistic worship. "The manner of Beersheba" refers to the specific religious customs and practices observed there. Like the "god of Dan," these practices are declared to "live," indicating that the people believed in their efficacy and vitality, further demonstrating their misplaced faith and spiritual compromise.
* **"even they shall fall, and never rise up again.":** This is the pronouncement of judgment. The phrase "even they shall fall" signifies a certain and devastating collapse, a complete overthrow. The addition "and never rise up again" emphasizes the finality and irreversibility of this judgment. It is not a temporary setback but a permanent ruin, a spiritual and national demise from which there will be no recovery for those who persist in such idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 8:14 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to underscore its message of judgment. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses describing the idolatrous oaths: "Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth." This structure highlights the widespread nature of the apostasy, spanning the northern (Dan) and southern (Beersheba) extremes of the land, demonstrating that no region was untouched by spiritual corruption. The phrase "the sin of Samaria" is a powerful example of **Metonymy**, where "sin" stands for the idolatrous practices and the guilt associated with the capital city, emphasizing that idolatry was not merely an act but the defining characteristic of Samaria's spiritual state. Furthermore, the declaration "even they shall fall, and never rise up again" utilizes **Hyperbole** and **Figurative Language** to convey the absolute and irreversible nature of the impending divine judgment. While individuals might physically rise, the spiritual and national "fall" is depicted as so complete that recovery is impossible, underscoring the severity of God's wrath against idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 8:14 profoundly articulates the theological principle of exclusive worship and the severe consequences of spiritual infidelity. It underscores God's unwavering demand for singular devotion, a core tenet of the Mosaic Covenant. By swearing by false gods and corrupted practices, the people of Israel directly violated the first commandment, effectively exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for images and human traditions. This act of idolatry was not merely a ritualistic error but a profound betrayal of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the living God. The judgment pronounced—to "fall, and never rise up again"—reveals God's justice in responding to such deep-seated rebellion, demonstrating that persistent rejection of His sovereignty leads to irreversible ruin. It serves as a stark reminder that true life and stability are found only in allegiance to the one true God, not in the empty promises of idols or syncretistic practices.

* [Deuteronomy 6:13](/deuteronomy/6-13 "Deuteronomy 6:13 - Fear the Lord and Swear by His Name")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Hosea 4:15](/hosea/4-15 "Hosea 4:15 - Do Not Go to Gilgal or Beth-Aven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 8:14 serves as a timeless and sobering warning against spiritual compromise and divided loyalties. For ancient Israel, it foretold their imminent national collapse due to their pervasive idolatry, a direct consequence of abandoning the one true God for man-made deities and corrupted worship. For believers today, this verse challenges us to critically examine the objects of our ultimate allegiance and trust. While we may not bow to physical idols of wood or stone, modern "idols" can subtly creep into our lives: the pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, entertainment, self-fulfillment, or even intellectual pride can become supreme, subtly displacing God from His rightful place. This verse compels us to ask if our "oaths" – our deepest commitments, our most fervent pursuits, our ultimate trust – are truly directed towards the living God, or if we are, perhaps unknowingly, swearing by the "sin of Samaria" or the "manner of Beersheba" in contemporary forms. The consequence of such spiritual compromise, though not always as immediately dramatic as national ruin, can lead to a profound spiritual "fall" – a loss of vitality, purpose, and genuine connection with God, from which recovery can be exceedingly difficult without genuine repentance and a return to exclusive devotion to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "idols" in my life or culture that subtly compete for my ultimate allegiance and trust, even if they aren't physical statues?**
* **How might my "manner" or "way of life" reflect a syncretistic approach to faith, blending Christian principles with worldly values or pursuits?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek security, identity, or fulfillment apart from God, and what are the potential long-term spiritual consequences of such misplaced trust?**

### FAQ

**What was "the sin of Samaria" that Amos refers to?**

Answer: "The sin of Samaria" primarily refers to the widespread and deeply entrenched idolatry practiced in Samaria, the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This included the worship of foreign deities, such as Baal, which had been introduced and promoted by various kings and queens (e.g., Ahab and Jezebel, as detailed in [1 Kings 16:31-33](/1_kings/16-31-33 "1 Kings 16:31-33 - Ahab's Wickedness and Baal Worship")). It also encompassed the syncretistic worship of the golden calves, which had been set up in Dan and Bethel by King Jeroboam I as an alternative to worshiping Yahweh in Jerusalem (see [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). Thus, "the sin of Samaria" represents the nation's fundamental spiritual apostasy and rejection of the exclusive worship of Yahweh.

**Why are Dan and Beersheba specifically mentioned alongside Samaria?**

Answer: Dan and Beersheba are mentioned to illustrate the pervasive and geographically widespread nature of Israel's idolatry and spiritual compromise. Dan, located in the far north of Israel, was one of the two sites where King Jeroboam I established a golden calf cult (the other being Bethel), serving as a primary center for unauthorized worship (see [1 Kings 12:29](/1_kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Dan and Bethel")). Beersheba, though geographically in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, had historically been a significant patriarchal site and had, by Amos's time, become a pilgrimage center for syncretistic or corrupted worship, drawing people away from the legitimate worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem (compare [Amos 5:5](/amos/5-5 "Amos 5:5 - Do Not Seek Bethel or Gilgal")). By naming these three distinct locations—the political and religious capital (Samaria), the northernmost idolatrous outpost (Dan), and a southern pilgrimage site (Beersheba)—Amos emphasizes that the entire nation, from north to south, was implicated in spiritual rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 8:14, with its stark condemnation of idolatry and pronouncement of irreversible judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The "sin of Samaria" and the false gods of Dan and Beersheba represent humanity's universal tendency to worship created things rather than the Creator, a spiritual brokenness that required divine intervention. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's demand for exclusive worship, for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - Christ's Fullness")) and He alone is "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). The judgment of "falling and never rising again" for those who cling to idols foreshadows the eternal separation from God that is the just consequence of sin (see [Matthew 25:46](/matthew/25-46 "Matthew 25:46 - Eternal Punishment and Eternal Life")). However, Christ, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offers the only true "rising up again" from the fall of sin and idolatry. He became the ultimate sin-offering, taking upon Himself the guilt and condemnation that Amos pronounced (see [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). By placing our faith in Him, we are delivered from the futility of idolatry and granted true, eternal life, establishing a covenant relationship with the living God that will never "fall" or be broken, for "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through Christ Alone")).

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

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.

1 Kings 12:28

Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

1 Kings 12:29

And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.

Deuteronomy 9:21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Acts 9:2

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

1 Kings 12:32

And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that [is] in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

Psalms 36:12

There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.