Amos 7:13

13 Don't prophesy here at Bethel anymore. This is where the king worships. The main temple in the kingdom is located here."

Amos 7:13 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 7:13

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel
He might prophesy any where, if he did not there, for what the priest cared, that so his honour and interest were not hurt. The reasons he gave were, for it [is] the king's chapel;
or "sanctuary" ^F9; where a temple was built for the idol calf, and where the king worshipped it, and attended all other religious service: and it [is] the king's court;
or "the house of the kingdom" ^F11; the seat of it, where the king had a royal palace, and sometimes resided here, and kept his court, as well as at Samaria; often coming hither to worship, it being nearer to him than Dan, where the other calf was placed; intimating hereby that the king would never suffer such a troublesome man as he to be so near him; and by prophesying to interrupt him, either in his religious or civil affairs; and therefore advises him by all means to depart, if he had any regard to his life or peace.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (vdqm) "sanctuarium", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Mercerus, Junius & Tremellius. Piscator, Drusius, Cocceius.
F11 (awh hklmm tybw) "et domus regni est", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius; "domus regia", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Amos 7:13 In-Context

11 Amos is telling them, " 'Jeroboam will be killed with a sword. The people of Israel will be taken away as prisoners. They will be carried off from their own land.' "

12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Get out of Israel, you prophet! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your living there. Do your prophesying there.

13 Don't prophesy here at Bethel anymore. This is where the king worships. The main temple in the kingdom is located here."

14 Amos answered Amaziah, "I was not a prophet. I wasn't even a prophet's son. I was a shepherd. I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.

15 But the LORD took me away from taking care of the flock. He said to me, 'Go. Prophesy to my people Israel.'