Amos 3:14-15

14 "For on the day that I punish Israel's transgressions, I will also punish the altars of ¹Bethel; The horns of the altar will be cut off And they will fall to the ground.

15 "I will also smite the ²winter house together with the ³summer house; The houses of ⁴ivory will also perish And the ⁵great houses will come to an end," Declares the LORD.

Amos 3:14-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 3

In this chapter the prophet goes on with his prophecy against Israel, whom God had highly favoured, and yet sinned against him, and therefore must expect to be punished by him; and the rather, since he and they were not agreed; and therefore there could be no communion between them, Am 3:1-3; and by various similes are set forth the cause of divine judgments, the certain design of them, and their continuance, till the end is answered; which should be attended to, since every thing of this kind is of God, who giving his prophets notice of it, they are under an absolute necessity of declaring it; nor should they be blamed for it, Am 3:4-8; and even the Heathen nations are appealed unto as witnesses of the sins of Israel, that caused such a denunciation of wrath; their tumults, oppression, injustice, violence, and robbery, Am 3:9,10; wherefore an adversary is threatened to be sent among them, that should utterly destroy them, so that few should escape, Am 3:11,12; particularly their idolatry and luxury seem to have been reigning sins, which had a great hand in bringing on their rum, and for which the Lord would punish them, Am 3:13-15.

Amos 3:14-15 In-Context

12 Thus says the LORD , "Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion's mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear, So will the sons of Israel dwelling in Samaria be snatched away - With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch!

13 "Hear and testify against the house of Jacob," Declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts.

14 "For on the day that I punish Israel's transgressions, I will also punish the altars of Bethel; The horns of the altar will be cut off And they will fall to the ground.

15 "I will also smite the winter house together with the summer house; The houses of ivory will also perish And the great houses will come to an end," Declares the LORD .

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 23:15; Hos 10:5-8, 14, 15; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:5, 6; Amos 7:10, 13
• 2. Jeremiah 36:22
• 3. Judges 3:20
• 4. 1 Kings 22:39; Psalms 45:8
• 5. Amos 2:5; Amos 6:11

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "autumn"
• [b]. I.e. ivory inlay