Amos 3:5

No one can [RHQ] catch a bird if he does not set a trap for it. A trap does not spring shut unless some animal has not sprung the trap.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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?

In Context

4A lion certainly does not [RHQ] roar in the bushes/forest if it has not killed another animal. It does not [RHQ] growl in its den if it is not eating the flesh of an animal that it has caught.

6Similarly, all the people in a city certainly [RHQ] become afraid when they hear someone blowing a trumpet to signal that enemies are attacking. And when a city experiences disaster, Yahweh is the one who has caused it [RHQ].

Read all of Amos 3

Cross References

Jeremiah 31:28Previously, I caused their enemies to remove the people from their land and to destroy their land and to cause them to experience many disasters [DOU]. But in the future, I will enable them to build houses and to plant crops here in Israel again. That will surely happen because I, Yahweh, have said it.

Matthew Henry on Amos 3:2-9

God's Remonstrance with Israel. ( b. c. 790.) 1 Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the… Read the whole commentary →

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