Amos 5:19

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#2
יָנ֥וּס
H5127
did flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#3
אִישׁ֙
H376
As if a man
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)
#4
מִפְּנֵ֣י
H6440
from
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
הָאֲרִ֔י
H738
a lion
a lion
#6
וּפְגָע֖וֹ
H6293
met
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
#7
הַדֹּ֑ב
H1677
and a bear
the bear (as slow)
#8
וּבָ֣א
H935
him or went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
הַבַּ֔יִת
H1004
into the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#10
וְסָמַ֤ךְ
H5564
and leaned
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
#11
יָדוֹ֙
H3027
his hand
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
#12
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הַקִּ֔יר
H7023
on the wall
a wall (as built in a trench)
#14
וּנְשָׁכ֖וֹ
H5391
bit
to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
#15
הַנָּחָֽשׁ׃
H5175
and a serpent
a snake (from its hiss)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection