Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
4:4-5 The prophet’s sarcasm shows how far Israel had strayed from God’s ways. Israel had plenty of religion but no reverence for God. 4:4 Amos lampoons the Israelites’ worthless piety. • Bethel, the site of Jacob’s famous vision of the ladder with angels descending and ascending (Gen 28:11-22), was the southern seat of the religion established by Jeroboam I (see Amos 3:14; 1 Kgs 12:28-29). Gilgal, Israel’s campsite after they crossed the Jordan (Josh 4:19–5:9), had become a popular shrine by the time of Amos and Hosea (Hos 4:15; 9:15; 12:11). • sacrifices each morning . . . tithes every three days: Israelite males were to appear before the Lord at the sanctuary three times each year (Exod 23:14-19; 34:23; Deut 16:16-17). Tithes were typically paid annually (Deut 14:22-29), with a special tithe paid every three years (see Deut 14:28; 26:12). Amos is making the point that the Israelites were religious to the point of absurdity, but they balked at being godly (Amos 5:15; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:8; see Luke 11:42).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
4:4-5 The prophet’s sarcasm shows how far Israel had strayed from God’s ways. Israel had plenty of religion but no reverence for God. 4:4 Amos lampoons the Israelites’ worthless piety. • Bethel, the site of Jacob’s famous vision of the ladder with angels descending and ascending (Gen 28:11-22), was the southern seat of the religion established by Jeroboam I (see Amos 3:14; 1 Kgs 12:28-29). Gilgal, Israel’s campsite after they crossed the Jordan (Josh 4:19–5:9), had become a popular shrine by the time of Amos and Hosea (Hos 4:15; 9:15; 12:11). • sacrifices each morning . . . tithes every three days: Israelite males were to appear before the Lord at the sanctuary three times each year (Exod 23:14-19; 34:23; Deut 16:16-17). Tithes were typically paid annually (Deut 14:22-29), with a special tithe paid every three years (see Deut 14:28; 26:12). Amos is making the point that the Israelites were religious to the point of absurdity, but they balked at being godly (Amos 5:15; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:8; see Luke 11:42).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — like YLT, a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation. Used here for the Old Testament, since YLT itself only covers the New Testament.The Darby Bible (1890) — like YLT, a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation. Used here for the Old Testament, since YLT itself only covers the New Testament.
Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices in the morning, your tithes every three days,
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ Come to Beth-el, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Come to Beth-el, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes every three days;
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
“Go to Bethel, and sin; to Gilgal, and sin more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days,
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.
Come to Beth-el and do evil; to Gilgal, increasing the number of your sins; come with your offerings every morning and your tenths every three days: