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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Amos 5:6 Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph; it will devour everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/amos/5-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/30_Amo_05_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Amos 5:6 - A Call to Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph; it will devour everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/amos/5-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/amos/5-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/amos/">Amos</a> > <a href="/amos/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/amos/5-5.htm" title="Amos 5:5">◄</a> Amos 5:6 <a href="/amos/5-7.htm" title="Amos 5:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/amos/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/amos/5.htm">New International Version</a> Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it. <a href="/nlt/amos/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> Come back to the LORD and live! Otherwise, he will roar through Israel like a fire, devouring you completely. Your gods in Bethel won’t be able to quench the flames. <a href="/esv/amos/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Seek the LORD and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, <a href="/bsb/amos/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph; it will devour everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it. <a href="/kjv/amos/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. <a href="/nkjv/amos/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Seek the LORD and live, Lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, And devour it, With no one to quench it in Bethel— <a href="/nasb_/amos/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Seek the LORD so that you may live, Or He will break through like a fire, house of Joseph, And it will consume with no one to extinguish it for Bethel, <a href="/nasb/amos/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Seek the LORD that you may live, Or He will break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel, <a href="/nasb77/amos/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Seek the LORD that you may live, Lest He break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it consume with none to quench it for Bethel, <a href="/lsb/amos/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Seek Yahweh that you may live, Lest He come mightily like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel, <a href="/amp/amos/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Seek the LORD [search diligently for Him and long for Him as your most essential need] so that you may live, Or He will rush down like a [devouring] fire, O house of Joseph, And there will be no one to quench the flame for [idolatrous] Bethel, <a href="/csb/amos/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Seek the LORD and live, or he will spread like fire throughout the house of Joseph; it will consume everything with no one at Bethel to extinguish it. <a href="/hcsb/amos/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Seek Yahweh and live, or He will spread like fire throughout the house of Joseph; it will consume everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it. <a href="/asv/amos/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Seek Jehovah, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, and there be none to quench it in Beth-el. <a href="/cev/amos/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Turn back to the LORD, you descendants of Joseph, and you will live. If you don't, the LORD will attack like fire. Bethel will burn to the ground, and no one can save it. <a href="/erv/amos/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour and there be none to quench it in Beth-el: <a href="/gwt/amos/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Search for the LORD and live! If you don't, he will spread like a fire through the house of Joseph and burn it down. Bethel will have no one to put it out. <a href="/gnt/amos/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Go to the LORD, and you will live. If you do not go, he will sweep down like fire on the people of Israel. The fire will burn up the people of Bethel, and no one will be able to put it out. <a href="/isv/amos/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Seek the LORD and live! Otherwise, he may break out like a fire in the house of Joseph and devour Bethel, and there will be no one to extinguish it. <a href="/msb/amos/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph; it will devour everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it. <a href="/net/amos/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Seek the LORD so you can live! Otherwise he will break out like fire against Joseph's family; the fire will consume and no one will be able to quench it and save Bethel. <a href="/nheb/amos/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Seek the LORD, and you will live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, and there be no one to quench it in Bethel. <a href="/wbt/amos/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Beth-el. <a href="/web/amos/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Seek Yahweh, and you will live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, and there be no one to quench it in Bethel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/amos/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Seek YHWH, and live, "" Lest He prosper as fire [against] the house of Joseph, "" And it has consumed, "" And there is no quencher for Beth-El— <a href="/ylt/amos/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Seek ye Jehovah, and live, Lest He prosper as fire against the house of Joseph, And it hath consumed, And there is no quencher for Beth-El. <a href="/slt/amos/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Seek ye Jehovah and live, lest he shall break through the house of Joseph as fire, and devour, and none quenching to the house of God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/amos/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Seek ye the Lord, and live: lest the house of Joseph be burnt with fire, and it shall devour, and there shall be none to quench Bethel. <a href="/cpdv/amos/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Seek the Lord and live. Otherwise, the house of Joseph may be destroyed with fire, and it will devour, and there will be no one who can extinguish Bethel. <a href="/nabre/amos/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Seek the LORD, that you may live, lest he flare up against the house of Joseph like a fire that shall consume the house of Israel, with no one to quench it. <a href="/nrsvce/amos/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Seek the LORD and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/amos/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Seek the LORD and you shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph and devour Beth-el, and there will be none to quench it. <a href="/hpbt/amos/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Seek LORD JEHOVAH and live, that he will not burn the house of Yoseph like fire and consume Bayth Eil, and there is none who puts it out<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/amos/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Seek the LORD, and live-- Lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, And it devour, and there be none to quench it in Bethel-- <a href="/sep/amos/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Seek ye the Lord, and ye shall live; lest the house of Joseph blaze as fire, and it devour him, and there shall be none to quench it for the house of Israel. <a href="/parallel/amos/5-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u4uh7eMswjw?start=748" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/amos/5.htm">A Call to Repentance</a> …5Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal; do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing. 6<a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: dir·šū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">Seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: wiḥ·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">and live,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/6743.htm" title="6743: yiṣ·laḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To push forward. Or tsaleach; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses.">He will sweep</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: kā·’êš (Prep-k, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">like fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">through the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">of Joseph;</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wə·’ā·ḵə·lāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">it will devour everything,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">with no one</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: lə·ḇêṯ- (Prep) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ’êl (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">at Bethel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3518.htm" title="3518: mə·ḵab·beh (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be quenched or extinguished, to go out. A primitive root; to expire or to extinguish.">to extinguish it.</a> 7There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a> Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a> You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a> Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. <a href="/zephaniah/2-3.htm">Zephaniah 2:3</a> Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29</a> But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-2.htm">2 Chronicles 15:2</a> So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16-20</a> Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” / “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. ... <a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">Jeremiah 4:1-2</a> “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, / and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.” <a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a> Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a> But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. <a href="/luke/13-3.htm">Luke 13:3</a> No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. <a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35-36</a> Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. / While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them. <a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a> Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, <a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9</a> Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a> And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Seek the LORD, and you shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.Seek.<a href="/amos/5-4.htm">Amos 5:4</a> For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:<a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Ezekiel 33:11</a> Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?lest.<a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Exodus 22:6</a> If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.the house.<a href="/amos/6-6.htm">Amos 6:6</a> That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.<a href="/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8-20</a> And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? … <a href="/joshua/18-5.htm">Joshua 18:5</a> And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.there.<a href="/isaiah/1-31.htm">Isaiah 1:31</a> And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.<a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a> Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.<a href="/jeremiah/7-20.htm">Jeremiah 7:20</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/5-5.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/amos/5-5.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/amos/1-5.htm">Break</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-23.htm">Bursting</a> <a href="/hosea/11-6.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/amos/2-5.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/amos/3-15.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/amos/2-5.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/amos/3-13.htm">Family</a> <a href="/amos/3-8.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/amos/4-11.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/amos/5-3.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/amos/5-5.htm">Help</a> <a href="/amos/5-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-32.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/amos/5-4.htm">Live</a> <a href="/daniel/11-36.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-12.htm">Quench</a> <a href="/amos/5-5.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/hosea/4-19.htm">Sweep</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/7-10.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/amos/7-10.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/amos/5-9.htm">Break</a> <a href="/matthew/24-32.htm">Bursting</a> <a href="/amos/6-3.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/amos/7-2.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/amos/7-4.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-18.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/amos/7-9.htm">Family</a> <a href="/amos/6-1.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/amos/7-4.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/amos/5-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Help</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">House</a> <a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Live</a> <a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/matthew/12-20.htm">Quench</a> <a href="/amos/5-8.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Sweep</a><div class="vheading2">Amos 5</div>1. <a href="/amos/5-1.htm">A lamentation for Israel.</a> 4. <a href="/amos/5-4.htm">An exhortation to repentance.</a> 21. <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">God rejects their hypocritical service.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/amos/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/amos/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/amos/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Seek the LORD and live This phrase is a call to repentance and a return to God. In the context of Amos, the Israelites were engaging in idolatry and injustice, turning away from the covenant relationship with God. The call to "seek the LORD" emphasizes the necessity of genuine worship and obedience to God's commandments. The promise of life is both physical and spiritual, indicating that turning to God can avert impending judgment and bring spiritual renewal. This echoes <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a>, where choosing life is associated with loving and obeying God.or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph The "house of Joseph" refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Joseph. Fire is a common biblical metaphor for judgment and purification (e.g., <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2-3</a>). The imagery of fire sweeping through suggests a thorough and consuming judgment. Historically, this foreshadows the Assyrian conquest of Israel in 722 BC, which resulted in the destruction and exile of the Northern Kingdom.it will devour everything This phrase underscores the totality of the impending judgment. The use of "devour" conveys the idea of complete destruction, leaving nothing behind. This reflects the severity of God's judgment against sin and rebellion. The comprehensive nature of this judgment is reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Genesis 19:24-25</a>), serving as a warning of the consequences of persistent disobedience.with no one at Bethel to extinguish it Bethel was a significant religious center in the Northern Kingdom, where Jeroboam I set up one of the golden calves (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-29</a>). It became a symbol of Israel's idolatry and false worship. The absence of anyone to "extinguish" the fire at Bethel highlights the futility of relying on false gods and corrupt religious practices for deliverance. This serves as a stark reminder that only the true God can save and protect. The mention of Bethel also connects to the broader biblical theme of true versus false worship, as seen in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in <a href="/john/4-23.htm">John 4:23-24</a>, where He emphasizes worshiping in spirit and truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, who calls His people to repentance and righteousness. 2. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_joseph.htm">House of Joseph</a> Refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often symbolized by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Joseph. 3. <a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a> A significant religious center in the Northern Kingdom, known for its idolatrous practices despite its historical significance as a place where Jacob encountered God. 4. <a href="/topical/a/amos.htm">Amos</a> A prophet from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, sent by God to deliver a message of judgment and a call to repentance to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/f/fire.htm">Fire</a> Symbolizes God's judgment and wrath, which is unquenchable and purifying, consuming sin and rebellion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_seeking_god.htm">The Urgency of Seeking God</a> The command to "seek the LORD and live" underscores the urgency of turning to God. It is a call to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_ignoring_god.htm">Consequences of Ignoring God</a> The imagery of fire sweeping through the house of Joseph serves as a stark warning of the consequences of ignoring God's call to repentance. It reminds us that God's judgment is real and inevitable for those who persist in rebellion. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a> Bethel, once a place of divine encounter, became a center of idolatry. This transformation warns us of the dangers of allowing anything to take the place of God in our lives. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_as_a_path_to_life.htm">Repentance as a Path to Life</a> The promise of life for those who seek the LORD highlights repentance as a path to restoration and blessing. It is a call to turn away from sin and towards God's righteousness. <a href="/topical/g/god's_relentless_pursuit.htm">God's Relentless Pursuit</a> Despite the impending judgment, God's call to seek Him reveals His desire for reconciliation and relationship with His people. It is a testament to His grace and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_amos_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Amos 5</a> <a href="/q/why_did_assyria_conquer_israel.htm">Why did Assyria conquer Israel?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'by_my_spirit'_mean.htm">Where is Beersheba mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_seek_god.htm">What does it mean to seek God?</a> <a href="/q/amos_5_8_vs._modern_star_dating.htm">Amos 5:8 – How can we reconcile the claim that God formed the Pleiades and Orion with modern astronomy, which dates these stars to vastly different periods? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/amos/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) Render, lest he rush down like fire on the house of Joseph (i.e., the Northern Kingdom). For "in Bethel" read "for Bethel." Let the blending of mercy with judgment be here observed, "Seek Jehovah and live, lest this evil befall you." The curse is still conditional.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/amos/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - Break out like fire. God is called "a consuming fire" (<a href="/deuteronomy/4-24.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24</a>; <a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a>; comp. <a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a>). And devour it; Septuagint, Ὅπως μὴ ἀναλάμψη ὡς πῦρ ὁ οϊκος Ἰωσὴφ καὶ καταφάγῃ αὐτόν, "Lest the house of Joseph blaze as fire, and he devour him;" Vulgate, Ne forte comburatur ut ignis domus Joseph, et devorabit. But it is best to take the last member of the sentence thus: "and it (the fire) devour." The house of Joseph. Ephraim, i.e. the kingdom of Israel, of which Ephraim was the distinguishing tribe. In Bethel; or, for Bethel. The LXX., paraphrasing, has, τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰσραήλ, "for the house of Israel." <a href="/commentaries/amos/5-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Seek דִּרְשׁ֥וּ (dir·šū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH and live, וִֽחְי֑וּ (wiḥ·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive or פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest He will spread יִצְלַ֤ח (yiṣ·laḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6743.htm">Strong's 6743: </a> To push forward like fire כָּאֵשׁ֙ (kā·’êš) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire through the house בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of Joseph; יוֹסֵ֔ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites it will devour everything, וְאָכְלָ֥ה (wə·’ā·ḵə·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat with no וְאֵין־ (wə·’ên-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle one at Bethel אֵֽל׃ (’êl) Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah to extinguish it. מְכַבֶּ֖ה (mə·ḵab·beh) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3518.htm">Strong's 3518: </a> To be quenched or extinguished, to go out <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/amos/5-6.htm">OT Prophets: Amos 5:6 Seek Yahweh and you will live (Amo. Am) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/amos/5-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Amos 5:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Amos 5:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/amos/5-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Amos 5:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Amos 5:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>