Bible Strands
Amos 5:4
For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses the house of Israel immediately after describing their military collapses in Amos 5:3. He speaks to the nation as a whole during a moment of national crisis and impending judgment.
The words — The Hebrew imperative דִּרְשׁוּ נִי (dirshu ni) literally translates to "seek me," immediately followed by the consecutive verb וִחְיוּ (viḥyu) meaning "and live." These terms establish a direct causal link between pursuing God and survival.
The thread — The command to seek God appears in Zephaniah 2:3, where the humble are urged to seek righteousness and humility. It also aligns with Jeremiah 29:12, which promises divine response to those who call upon Him, and 2 Chronicles 15:2, which ties divine presence to active seeking.
Why it lands — The text commands Israel to pursue Yahweh directly rather than relying on military strength or empty shrines. It requires a reader to direct their active pursuit toward God alone as the sole condition for life.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
Cross-references
- Zephaniah 2:3 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.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 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.
- Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
- Psalms 14:2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.
- Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
- Psalms 105:3 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
- Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
- Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.