Amos 3:12

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

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.

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.

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 Beth-el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and 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

    And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

    Read in context
  • Romans 11:4–5

    But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 31:4

    For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

    Read in context
  • Amos 9:2–3

    Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 16:9

    And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 20:30

    But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 22:25

    And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 20:34

    And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

    Read in context