


Amos 3:5
Bible Versions
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?
Does a bird get caught in a trap on the ground if it hasn't been baited? Does a trap spring up from the ground when it has taken nothing?
Does a bird land in a snare where no bait has been set? Does a trap spring from the ground when it has nothing to catch?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is set for him? shall a snare spring up from the ground, and have taken nothing at all?
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Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. -
Daniel 9:14
Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God [is] righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. -
Jeremiah 31:28
And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.
Amos 3:5 KJV presents two rhetorical questions about traps and snares, serving as powerful illustrations within a larger series of cause-and-effect scenarios. The prophet Amos uses these vivid images from daily life to underscore the principle that events, especially divine actions, do not happen without a preceding cause or a specific purpose.
Context
This verse is part of a pivotal section in the Book of Amos (Amos 3:3-8), where the prophet lays out a series of logical, undeniable cause-and-effect relationships. Amos is speaking to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was enjoying a period of prosperity but had deeply strayed from God's covenant through idolatry, injustice, and moral decay. The rhetorical questions, including those in verse 5, build a compelling argument: just as natural phenomena have clear antecedents, so too does God's impending judgment on Israel. It is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their actions and God's sovereign plan. This section culminates in the declaration that God reveals His plans to His prophets (see Amos 3:7) and that the prophet must speak when God has spoken.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "snare" or "gin" used here is מֹקֵשׁ (moqesh), which refers to a trap, net, or lure used to catch birds or animals. It frequently carries the connotation of a spiritual trap or stumbling block in other biblical contexts, highlighting the deceptive and often hidden nature of the dangers it represents. The image of the bird falling into the trap without a "gin" (or lure/bait) underscores the absurdity of the premise, reinforcing the idea that every effect has a cause.
Practical Application
Amos 3:5 reminds us that God is a God of order and justice. His actions are always purposeful and just. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder: