Amos 3:12

¹⁰ “For they know not how to do right,” declares the LORD. “They store up violence and destruction in their citadels.”

¹¹ Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “An enemy will surround the land; he will pull down your strongholds and plunder your citadels.”

This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.

¹³ Hear and testify against the house of Jacob, declares the Lord GOD, the God of Hosts.

¹⁴ On the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off, and they will fall to the ground.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.
KJV: 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.
WEB: The LORD says: “As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be rescued who sit in Samaria on the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed.”
ASV: Thus saith Jehovah: As the shepherd rescueth out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be rescued that sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed.
DARBY: Thus saith Jehovah: Like as the shepherd rescueth out of the jaw of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be rescued that sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch, and upon the damask of a bed.
BLB: Thus says YHWH: “As a shepherd delivers from the mouth of a lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so will be delivered the sons of Israel, those dwelling in Samaria, with the corner of a bed, or the cushion of a couch!

ÅB: Så sier Herren: Slik som en hyrde berger to leggeben eller en ørelapp av løvens gap, slik skal Israels barn berges, de som sitter i Samaria i sofahjørnet og på damaskes hynder.
OTB: Dette er hva Herren sier:
"Som en hyrde redder fra løvens munn
to ben eller et stykke av et øre,
slik skal Israels folk i Samaria bli reddet,
med bare hjørnet av en seng og et stykke stoff fra en sofa."
B1930: Så sier Herren: Likesom en hyrde berger to leggeben eller en ørelapp av løvens gap, således skal Israels barn berges, de som sitter i Samaria i sofahjørnet og på damaskes hynder.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Samuel 17:34–37
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,
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Romans 11:4–5
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Read in context
Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey— and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor— so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.
Read in context
Amos 9:2–3
Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down.
Read in context
2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.
Read in context
1 Kings 20:30
The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room.
Read in context
1 Kings 22:25
Micaiah replied, “You will soon see, on that day when you go and hide in an inner room.”
Read in context
1 Kings 20:34
Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.
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