Amos 3:12

Translations

Modern

This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.

Traditional

Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

Literal

Thus says YHWH: “As a shepherd delivers from the mouth of a lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so will be delivered the sons of Israel, those dwelling in Samaria, with the corner of a bed, or the cushion of a couch!

Latin

Hæc dicit Dominus: Quomodo si eruat pastor de ore leonis duo crura, aut extremum auriculæ, sic eruentur filii Israël, qui habitant in Samaria in plaga lectuli, et in Damasci grabato.

Original

Hebrew

English

This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.

Notes

Amos 3:12

As the shepherd snatches: The people of both Israel and Judah believed that, because they were chosen, God would save them and never let them die. The prophet’s words are ironic. Their rescue would be like a shepherd arriving too late to save the sheep, only able to pull two legs or a piece of an ear from the lion's mouth.
just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch: This points to how little would remain after the Assyrian attack on Samaria. It suggests that only small pieces of furniture would survive the destruction.
In the same way, only a few people in Samaria would escape. Their rescue would be as incomplete and fragile as the broken remains left behind.

Amos 3:1–5:17

Amos delivers three prophetic messages to Israel, criticizing their mistaken belief about being God's chosen people. The messages show a progression toward judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

The Shepherd

Events

Prophecies of Amosc. 788 BC

Related verses

1 Samuel 17:34–37
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,
Romans 11:4–5
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.
1 Kings 22:25
Micaiah replied, “You will soon see, on that day when you go and hide in an inner room.”
Amos 9:2–3
Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down.
2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.
1 Kings 20:30
The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room.
1 Kings 20:34
Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.
Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
Isaiah 17:1–4
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.
Amos 6:4
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Samaria: Capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel; Samaritan inhabitants

Glossary

Amos (Person) Book of Amos Lion Samaria Shepherd

Topics

Ancient Samaria: Predictions Respecting Its Destruction Damascus: Luxury In Shepherd: One Who Cares for Flocks of Sheep Shepherds: Care of the Sheep By, Exhibited in Defending Them when Attacked by Wild Beasts The Lion: Attacks the Sheepfolds

Amos 3:12

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