Amos 3:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּה֮
H3541
כֹּה֮
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִנָּצְל֞וּ
be taken out
H5337
יִנָּצְל֞וּ
be taken out
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
5 of 23
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
הָרֹעֶ֜ה
As the shepherd
H7462
הָרֹעֶ֜ה
As the shepherd
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
6 of 23
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
מִפִּ֧י
of the mouth
H6310
מִפִּ֧י
of the mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
7 of 23
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
כְרָעַ֖יִם
legs
H3767
כְרָעַ֖יִם
legs
Strong's:
H3767
Word #:
10 of 23
the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual)
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
11 of 23
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אֹ֑זֶן
of an ear
H241
אֹ֑זֶן
of an ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
13 of 23
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יִנָּצְל֞וּ
be taken out
H5337
יִנָּצְל֞וּ
be taken out
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
15 of 23
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
בְּנֵ֣י
so shall the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
so shall the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙
that dwell
H3427
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙
that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בִּפְאַ֥ת
in the corner
H6285
בִּפְאַ֥ת
in the corner
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
מִטָּ֖ה
of a bed
H4296
מִטָּ֖ה
of a bed
Strong's:
H4296
Word #:
21 of 23
a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier
Historical Context
This prophecy was fulfilled multiply: the Assyrian conquest left only remnants, the Babylonian exile scattered survivors, and even today the ten northern tribes remain 'lost.' The reference to Damascus (Syria) and luxury couches emphasizes that those trusting in wealth and political alliances would be first to suffer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse challenge the modern belief that material prosperity indicates God's favor?
- What does it mean to be 'saved' yet only as a fragment—bearing permanent marks of judgment?
- How should the reality of judgment as a consuming 'lion' shape Christian urgency in evangelism?
Analysis & Commentary
The shepherd metaphor is devastatingly ironic: As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear (כַּאֲשֶׁר יַצִּיל הָרֹעֶה מִפִּי הָאַרְיֵה, ka'asher yatzil haro'eh mipi ha'aryeh)—these aren't rescued sheep but proof of death for the shepherd's legal defense (Exodus 22:13). Similarly, so shall the children of Israel be taken out (כֵּן יִנָּצְלוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, ken yinatz'lu b'nei yisrael)—a remnant survives, but barely. In the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch describes luxury furniture fragments—all that remains of their opulence.
The Hebrew יִנָּצְלוּ (yinatz'lu) typically means 'delivered/rescued,' but here it's bitterly ironic: they're 'delivered' only as evidence of destruction. Like torn sheep parts, Israel will be reduced to fragments—a warning that affluence cannot protect from judgment.