Translations
Modern
It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.
Traditional
As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
Literal
…as when a man flees from a lion and a bear meets him, or he comes into the house and leans his hand on the wall, and a snake bites him.
Latin
Quomodo si fugiat vir a facie leonis, et occurrat ei ursus; et ingrediatur domum, et innitatur manu sua super parietem, et mordeat eum coluber.
Original
Hebrew
English
It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.
Notes
The pronouncements of sorrow in this section develop two main themes:
Israel’s apostasy (turning away from God) would make the day of the Lord a day of judgment, not salvation; and
Judah’s spiritual complacency (feeling satisfied and unconcerned about faithfulness to God) would also bring judgment.
Theme notes and profiles
God's Rule and Power Over All Nations The Day of the Lord What Is Good
Events
- Prophecies of Amosc. 788 BC
Parallels
Glossary
Bear (Animal) Book of Amos Book of Zephaniah Darkness Day of the Lord Last Days Last Judgment Prophecy Serpent Wrath of God
Topics
Houses: Serpents often Lodged in Walls of Judgments: No Escape From Serpents: Infest: Holes in Walls The Bear: Cruel The Bear: Often Attacks Men Walls of Houses: Often Infested with Serpents