Amos 3:5
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
Original Language Analysis
הֲתִפֹּ֤ל
fall
H5307
הֲתִפֹּ֤ל
fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
1 of 15
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּמוֹקֵ֖שׁ
where no gin
H4170
וּמוֹקֵ֖שׁ
where no gin
Strong's:
H4170
Word #:
6 of 15
a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
הֲיַֽעֲלֶה
is for him shall one take up
H5927
הֲיַֽעֲלֶה
is for him shall one take up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
9 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יִלְכּֽוֹד׃
and have taken
H3920
יִלְכּֽוֹד׃
and have taken
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
13 of 15
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
Historical Context
Bird trapping was common in ancient Israel for both food and sacrifice. Trappers used various snares: nets, spring traps, and sticky substances. The Mosaic Law even regulated bird trapping (Deuteronomy 22:6-7), showing God's concern for creation. Amos uses this everyday image to make divine sovereignty concrete.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of your life feel like random suffering that might actually be God's disciplinary snare to capture your wandering heart?
- How does recognizing God as the active trapper (not fate or chance) change your response to hardship?
Analysis & Commentary
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? (הֲתִפֹּל צִפּוֹר עַל־פַּח הָאָרֶץ וּמוֹקֵשׁ אֵין לָהּ)—The Hebrew pach (snare/trap) was a spring-loaded device that caught birds. Moqesh (gin/bait) refers to the trigger mechanism. No bird falls into a trap unless someone deliberately set it. Shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? (הֲיַעֲלֶה פַּח מִן־הָאֲדָמָה וְלָכוֹד לֹא יִלְכּוֹד)—The trapper springs the snare only when prey is captured.
The third cause-effect question: traps don't spring randomly, and trappers don't check empty snares. Applied to Israel: their impending exile is no accident but divine judgment (the set trap). God, the master trapper, doesn't spring judgment unless He's caught covenant violators. The imagery reverses Israel's self-perception—they thought themselves predators exploiting the poor (Amos 2:6-8), but they're actually prey caught in God's justice-trap. Hosea uses similar imagery: 'I will spread my net upon them' (Hosea 7:12).