Contradiction with 1 Kings 12:28-30
These verses promote the worship in Bethel, setting it up as a place of pilgrimage and worship, while Amos 5:5 advises against going to Bethel.
1 Kings 12:28-30: Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 17:28
Here a priest is sent to Bethel to teach the people, implying significance and acceptance of Bethel as a place of worship, contrary to the warning in Amos 5:5.
2 Kings 17:28: Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.
Contradiction with Genesis 28:19
Bethel is named by Jacob as a significant place where God revealed Himself, contrasting with the directive in Amos 5:5 not to seek Bethel.
Genesis 28:19: And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city [was called] Luz at the first. [Bethel: that is, The house of God]
Contradiction with Hosea 4:15
This verse suggests a warning against transgressing at Gilgal, but unlike Amos 5:5, it does not specifically caution against seeking these places.
Hosea 4:15: Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, [yet] let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 11:14-15
Gilgal is a site of national importance where Saul is confirmed king, opposed to the negative view of Gilgal in Amos 5:5.
1 Samuel 11:14-15: Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
Contradiction with Genesis 12:6-7
Shechem is portrayed as a place where God appears to Abram, in contrast to the warning about seeking places like Gilgal or Bethel in Amos 5:5.
Genesis 12:6-7: And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land. [plain: Heb. plains]
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:5-6
These verses describe a centralized place of worship chosen by God, contrasting with the distributed worship sites warned against in Amos 5:5.
Deuteronomy 12:5-6: But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
Contradiction with Judges 20:18
Here, the Israelites go to Bethel to inquire of God, presenting it as a legitimate site for divine communication, which opposes the warning in Amos 5:5.
Judges 20:18: And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah [shall go up] first.
Paradox #1
Amos 5:5 might be seen as contradicting other parts of the Bible because it discourages seeking religious practices at certain places, while other parts of the Bible emphasize visiting specific holy places for worship. This could seem inconsistent regarding the importance of sacred sites in religious life.
Paradox #2
Amos 5:5 mentions places that Israelites might have visited for religious practices. However, some historical or archaeological evidence may not fully support the existence or significance of these places as major religious centers during the time Amos was written. This can create questions or doubts about the context or emphasis given to these locations in the verse.