Amos 2:15
Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.
Original Language Analysis
וְתֹפֵ֤שׂ
that handleth
H8610
וְתֹפֵ֤שׂ
that handleth
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
1 of 13
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
הַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙
the bow
H7198
הַקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙
the bow
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
2 of 13
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲמֹ֔ד
Neither shall he stand
H5975
יַעֲמֹ֔ד
Neither shall he stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 13
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְקַ֥ל
and he that is swift
H7031
וְקַ֥ל
and he that is swift
Strong's:
H7031
Word #:
5 of 13
light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)
בְּרַגְלָ֖יו
of foot
H7272
בְּרַגְלָ֖יו
of foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 13
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְמַלֵּ֖ט
deliver
H4422
יְמַלֵּ֖ט
deliver
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
וְרֹכֵ֣ב
himself neither shall he that rideth
H7392
וְרֹכֵ֣ב
himself neither shall he that rideth
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
9 of 13
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Moab, descended from Lot (Genesis 19:37), occupied territory east of the Dead Sea. They possessed skilled archers and swift-footed messengers. This prophecy found fulfillment in multiple invasions: by Assyria (715 BC), Babylon (582 BC), and finally Arab conquest that erased Moabite identity entirely.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'advantages'—technology, wealth, intelligence—do people trust for security instead of God?
- How does the futility of military might in escaping judgment challenge nations that trust in weapons?
- If no one can flee from God's judgment, what makes the gospel offer of escape through Christ so extraordinary?
Analysis & Commentary
In this verse detailing Moab's coming judgment, three classes of warriors prove helpless: he that handleth the bow (תֹּפֵשׂ הַקֶּשֶׁת, tofes haqeshet, the archer), he that is swift of foot (קַל בְּרַגְלָיו, qal b'raglav, literally 'light in his feet'), and he that rideth the horse (רֹכֵב הַסּוּס, rochev hasus, the cavalry). The threefold repetition—'shall not deliver himself' (לֹא יְמַלֵּט, lo yemalet)—hammers home human inability to escape divine judgment.
Ancient warfare relied on these three military advantages: long-range attack (archers), speed (runners for messages and retreat), and mobile power (cavalry). Yet when God judges, no human strategy suffices. This prefigures Romans 8:33—when God justifies, who can condemn? Conversely, when God condemns, no created thing can deliver.