Amo 3:14 | NETfull | STEP | “Certainly when I punish Israel for their covenant transgressions, I will destroy Bethel’s altars. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.

Amos 3:14

14 “Certainly when ^{▼▼ Heb “in the day.”} I punish Israel for their ^{▼▼ Heb “his.” With the referent “Israel” here, this amounts to a collective singular.} covenant transgressions, ^{▼▼ Traditionally, “transgressions, sins,” but see the note on the word “crimes” in 1:3.}
I will destroy ^{▼▼ Heb “punish” (so NASB, NRSV).} Bethel’s ^{▼▼ For location see Map4-G4; Map5-C1; Map6-E3; Map7-D1; Map8-G3.} altars.
The horns ^{▼▼ The horns of an ancient altar projected upwards from the four corners and resembled an animal’s horns in appearance. Fugitives could seek asylum by grabbing hold of these corners (see Exod 21:14; 1 Kgs 1:50; 2:28). When the altar’s horns were cut off, there would be no place of asylum left for the Lord’s enemies.} of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.