Amos 4:8
So two or three cities wandered vnto one citie, to drinke water; but they were not satisfied: yet haue yee not returned vnto me, saith the Lord. Amos 4:8 (KJV)
So two
or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. Amos 4:8 (KJV)
“Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three days.”
Context
The book of Amos is one of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. Amos, a shepherd and farmer, was called by God to deliver His messages to the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of relative prosperity. Although the nation displayed outward religious observance, the people were deeply involved in social injustice, oppression, and idolatry. Amos 4:8 is part of a larger section in which God rebukes Israel for its disobedience and hollow worship.
Symbolic Locations
Bethel was a historic religious site in Israel, but by Amos’ day it had become a place where true worship was corrupted by idolatrous practices. The prophet’s call to “come to Bethel and transgress” underscores that the worship there had become empty and hypocritical. Gilgal, another significant location associated with Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, had likewise fallen into spiritual rebellion. The phrase “multiply transgression at Gilgal” indicates an escalating pattern of disobedience.
Religious Rituals
Sacrifices – The people offered sacrifices every morning, yet God’s rebuke shows that these offerings were merely ritual motions lacking genuine devotion or repentance. The sacrifices were performed without a heart turned toward righteousness.
Tithes – Under Mosaic Law the Israelites were to give a tenth of their produce every third year for the support of Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28‑29). Amos points out that the people neglected this duty, revealing a failure to care for the vulnerable and a disregard for the social responsibilities embedded in the law.
Overall Message
Amos 4:8 highlights the hypocrisy of Israel’s religious practices. While the nation performed the outward forms of worship—daily sacrifices and periodic tithes—their hearts were far from God, and their actions were accompanied by increasing transgressions and social injustice. The passage calls for genuine repentance, true righteousness, and a heartfelt devotion that goes beyond empty rituals, urging the people to return to the Lord with sincerity and compassion.
