Amos 3:14 Meaning and Explanation
“That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When God reckons with Israel's sins, He will strike the altars of Bethel, cutting off the horns that symbolized refuge and power.
What Does Amos 3:14 Mean?
Bethel was the chief sanctuary of the northern kingdom, home to a worship that had drifted from the Lord. God declares that when He visits Israel's transgressions, He will also visit these altars, and the horns of the altar, the raised corners a fugitive could grasp for sanctuary, will be cut off and fall.
The horns symbolized refuge and the power of the place. Their falling means there is no longer asylum in a corrupted religion. False worship cannot shelter those who practice injustice. The verse warns the reader that outward religious forms, however ancient or revered, offer no protection when the heart and the life are far from God. True refuge is found not in altars of our own making but in genuine return to the Lord Himself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos 3:14
What does Amos 3:14 mean?
When God reckons with Israel's sins, He will strike the altars of Bethel, cutting off the horns that symbolized refuge and power.