They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.

AMOS 8:14KJV
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Amos 8:14 (KJV)

What does Amos 8:14 mean?

Amos 8:14 warns that those who swear loyalty to false gods and pagan practices in places like Samaria, Dan, and Beersheba will face destruction and will never recover. The verse declares that devotion to these idols and traditions will lead to a final downfall from which there is no return.

In this verse, the prophet Amos is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel, especially those in the northern kingdom. He calls out people who swear by “the sin of Samaria” and claim, “Thy god, O Dan, liveth,” and “The manner of Beersheba liveth,” all references to idol worship and local religious customs. Amos is making it clear that these practices are not just empty traditions but are leading the people away from the true God, and as a result, those who persist in them will fall permanently.

The Hebrew behind Amos 8:14

  • “sin” (חַטָּאת, ḥaṭṭāʾt): This word is often used for “sin” but here likely refers to the idol or cult object in Samaria, showing that the idol itself is being called “sin.”
  • “liveth” (חַי, ḥay): Used in oaths, this word means “lives” or “as surely as [X] lives,” highlighting how people swore by these false gods as if they were alive and powerful.
  • “manner” (דֶּרֶךְ, derek): Literally “way” or “custom,” this word points to the religious practices or pilgrimage routes associated with Beersheba, not just the place itself.
  • “fall” (נָפַל, nāphal): This word means to fall or collapse, and here it stresses that the fall will be total—those who trust in these idols will not rise again.

Why Amos 8:14 matters

  • Amos 8:14 clarifies that the problem is not just idol worship in general but specific local cults and traditions that had become central to Israel’s religious life.
  • The verse connects the downfall of the people directly to their religious choices, showing that loyalty to these idols and customs is what brings judgment.
  • Amos 8:14 helps explain why the coming disaster is so final: it is not just a punishment but the inevitable result of turning away from God to false sources of hope.

Where else these words appear

“sin” Hebrew H819 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
  • Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

“Beersheba” Hebrew H884 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
  • Joshua 15:28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
  • 1 Kings 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

“Dan” Hebrew H1835 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 2 Samuel 3:10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.