King James Version

What Does Amos 3:12 Mean?

Amos 3:12 in the King James Version says “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 ch... — study this verse from Amos chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. taketh: Heb. delivereth in Damascus: or, on the bed's feet

Amos 3:12 · KJV


Context

10

For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. robbery: or, spoil

11

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.

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. taketh: Heb. delivereth in Damascus: or, on the bed's feet

13

Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

14

That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. visit: or, punish Israel for


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge the modern belief that material prosperity indicates God's favor?
  2. What does it mean to be 'saved' yet only as a fragment—bearing permanent marks of judgment?
  3. How should the reality of judgment as a consuming 'lion' shape Christian urgency in evangelism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כֹּה֮1 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 23

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֒3 of 23

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כַּאֲשֶׁר֩4 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִנָּצְל֞וּ5 of 23

be taken out

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

הָרֹעֶ֜ה6 of 23

As the shepherd

H7462

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

מִפִּ֧י7 of 23

of the mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

הָאֲרִ֛י8 of 23

of the lion

H738

a lion

שְׁתֵּ֥י9 of 23

two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

כְרָעַ֖יִם10 of 23

legs

H3767

the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual)

א֣וֹ11 of 23
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בְדַל12 of 23

or a piece

H915

a part

אֹ֑זֶן13 of 23

of an ear

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

כֵּ֣ן14 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִנָּצְל֞וּ15 of 23

be taken out

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

בְּנֵ֣י16 of 23

so shall the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל17 of 23

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙18 of 23

that dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן19 of 23

in Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

בִּפְאַ֥ת20 of 23

in the corner

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

מִטָּ֖ה21 of 23

of a bed

H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

וּבִדְמֶ֥שֶׁק22 of 23

and in Damascus

H1833

damask (as a fabric of damascus)

עָֽרֶשׂ׃23 of 23

in a couch

H6210

a couch (properly, with a canopy)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Amos. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Amos 3:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Amos 3:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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