Amos 5:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָנ֥וּס
did flee
H5127
יָנ֥וּס
did flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
2 of 15
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
אִישׁ֙
As if a man
H376
אִישׁ֙
As if a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּפְגָע֖וֹ
met
H6293
וּפְגָע֖וֹ
met
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
6 of 15
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
הַבַּ֔יִת
into the house
H1004
הַבַּ֔יִת
into the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְסָמַ֤ךְ
and leaned
H5564
וְסָמַ֤ךְ
and leaned
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
10 of 15
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
H3027
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Ancient Israel faced real dangers from lions and bears—shepherds like David fought both (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Serpents hiding in stone walls of houses were also common threats. Amos uses familiar dangers to illustrate a theological point: when God's judgment comes, there is no refuge. Israel's complacency assumed covenant status guaranteed protection, but Amos shatters this presumption. The Day of the LORD they eagerly anticipated would bring them terror, not triumph.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this imagery of inescapable judgment challenge the assumption that church membership or religious heritage provides automatic protection from God's wrath?
- In what ways do people today flee from one conviction of sin only to encounter another, yet still refuse to repent?
Analysis & Commentary
As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him—this vivid imagery describes inescapable judgment. The Hebrew paints a scene of escalating terror: fleeing a lion (ari, אֲרִי), the person encounters a bear (dov, דֹּב)—both dangerous predators. Escaping that, he went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him (nakhash, נָחָשׁ). Even the supposed safety of home proves deadly. The serpent hidden in the wall strikes when he thinks he's finally safe.
This illustrates the Day of the LORD (vv. 18-20)—Israel expected it to bring deliverance from enemies, but Amos declares it will bring judgment on Israel. There's no escape: flee one danger, encounter another; reach safety, and hidden peril strikes. The progression (lion → bear → serpent) moves from obvious external threats to hidden internal danger, suggesting judgment will be comprehensive and inescapable. Romans 2:3 asks similarly: "thinkest thou... that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"