Amos 3:5
New International Version
Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything?

New Living Translation
Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait? Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch?

English Standard Version
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?

Berean Standard Bible
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?

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?

New American Standard Bible
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no device in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

NASB 1995
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

NASB 1977
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

Legacy Standard Bible
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?

Amplified Bible
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the ground when it has caught nothing at all? [Of course not! So it is that Israel has earned her impending judgment.]

Christian Standard Bible
Does a bird land in a trap on the ground if there is no bait for it? Does a trap spring from the ground when it has caught nothing?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Does a bird land in a trap on the ground if there is no bait for it? Does a trap spring from the ground when it has caught nothing?

American Standard Version
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?

Contemporary English Version
How can anyone catch a bird without using a net? Does a trap spring shut unless something is caught?

English Revised Version
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Does a bird land in a trap on the ground if there's no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the ground unless it has caught something?

Good News Translation
Does a bird get caught in a trap if the trap has not been baited? Does a trap spring unless something sets it off?

International Standard Version
Does a bird fall into a snare on the ground without any bait in the trap? Will a trap snap shut when there is nothing to catch?

Majority Standard Bible
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?

NET Bible
Does a bird swoop down into a trap on the ground if there is no bait? Does a trap spring up from the ground unless it has surely caught something?

New Heart English Bible
Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when there is nothing to catch?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when there is nothing to catch?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Does a bird fall into a snare of the earth, "" And there is no trap for it? Does a snare go up from the ground, "" And it does not capture prey?

Young's Literal Translation
Doth a bird fall into a snare of the earth, And there is no gin for it? Doth a snare go up from the ground, And prey it captureth not?

Smith's Literal Translation
Will the bird fall upon the snare of the earth and no noose for her? shall a snare be brought up from the earth and a taking shall not be taken?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Will the bird fall into the snare upon the earth, if there be no fowler? Shall the snare be taken up from the earth, before it hath taken somewhat ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Will a bird fall into a snare on the ground, if there is no bird-catcher? Will a snare be taken away from the ground, before it has caught something?

New American Bible
Does a bird swoop down on a trap on the ground when there is no lure for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground without catching anything?

New Revised Standard Version
Does a bird fall into a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Will a bird fall into a snare upon the earth without a hunter? Or can a trap spring up from the ground and catch the prey without being set?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Will a bird fall into a snare in the earth without a hunter, or does a snare rise from the Earth and snatch it?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Will a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, Where there is no lure for it? Will a snare spring up from the ground, And have taken nothing at all?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Will a bird fall on the earth without a fowler? will a snare be taken up from the earth without having taken anything?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Witnesses Against Israel
4Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den if he has caught nothing? 5Does 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? 6If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?…

Cross References
Jeremiah 5:26-27
For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich.

Proverbs 1:17
How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!

Hosea 7:12
As they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like birds of the air. I will chastise them when I hear them flocking together.

Ecclesiastes 9:12
For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.

Psalm 91:3
Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague.

Isaiah 24:17-18
Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth. / Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Lamentations 3:52
Without cause my enemies hunted me like a bird.

Ezekiel 12:13
But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.

Job 18:8-10
For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh. / A trap seizes his heel; a snare grips him. / A noose is hidden in the ground, and a trap lies in his path.

Psalm 124:7
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away.

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Luke 17:37
“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

2 Timothy 2:26
Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Treasury of Scripture

Can a bird fall in a snare on the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?

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.

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.

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.

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Amos 3
1. The necessity of God's judgment against Israel.
9. The publication of it, with the causes thereof.














Does a bird land in a snare
The imagery of a bird landing in a snare is vivid and intentional. In Hebrew, the word for "snare" (פַּח, "pach") often symbolizes a trap set for the unsuspecting. This metaphor is used to illustrate the inevitability of consequences when certain conditions are met. In the ancient Near East, bird trapping was a common practice, and the audience would have understood the futility of a snare without bait. Spiritually, this phrase suggests that God's judgments are not arbitrary; they are responses to the actions of His people. The bird represents those who are caught unaware by the consequences of their sin.

where no bait has been set?
The "bait" (מוֹקֵשׁ, "moqesh") is crucial in understanding the cause-and-effect relationship in divine justice. In the context of Amos, the bait represents the sins and transgressions of Israel. Historically, Israel had been warned repeatedly through prophets about their disobedience and idolatry. The rhetorical question implies that just as a bird would not be caught without bait, so too would Israel not face judgment without cause. This serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual laws that govern the universe, emphasizing personal responsibility and the certainty of divine retribution for sin.

Does a trap spring from the ground
The "trap" (מוֹקֵשׁ, "moqesh") here is a continuation of the snare metaphor, emphasizing the suddenness and inevitability of judgment. The phrase "spring from the ground" suggests an unexpected and forceful action. In the historical context of Amos, this reflects the impending judgment upon Israel due to their persistent rebellion. Theologically, it underscores the idea that God's interventions, though sometimes delayed, are certain and just. The trap's sudden springing serves as a warning to remain vigilant and faithful, as divine justice can manifest unexpectedly.

when it has nothing to catch?
This phrase reinforces the principle of cause and effect in divine dealings. The trap is not set without purpose, and it does not spring without a target. In the Hebrew context, this reflects the certainty of God's actions being purposeful and just. Theologically, it reassures believers that God's judgments are not random but are responses to human actions. This serves as both a warning and a comfort: a warning to those who persist in sin, and a comfort to those who seek righteousness, knowing that God is just and His actions are always with reason and purpose.

(5) Can a bird.--Better, Does the snare rise up from the ground, and take nothing at all?" E.V. "take up" is due to ambiguity of the Hebrew. The idea is that Israel "like a silly dove" is falling into snares. The snare, even now, may be seen springing from the earth. The armies and politics of the nation that will enclose Israel are already in motion.

Verse 5. - The thought here is that the punishment is deserved as well as certain. A bird is not caught unless a trap is set for it. The trap which the sinner sets for himself is sin. Can a bird fall in a snare (pach) upon the earth, where no gin (moqesh) is for him? i.e. is set for him? The "gin" is a net with a stick for a spring, which flew up when touched, carrying part of the net with it, and thus the bird was enclosed and caught (see Kitto, 'Cyclop.,' s.v. "Fowling," 2:36). The LXX. probably read yoqesh, as they translate, ἄνευ ἐξευτοῦ, "without a fowler." So the Vulgate, absque aucupe. The second clause should be, Shall a snare (pach) spring up from the ground without taking anything? The snare, or trap stick, would not rise if it had not caught something. The sin is there, and the sinners shall surely not escape. When God appoints retributive punishments for the guilty, and announces the same by his prophets, they may be expected with absolute certainty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Does a bird
צִפּוֹר֙ (ṣip·pō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6833: A little bird

land
הֲתִפֹּ֤ל (hă·ṯip·pōl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a snare
פַּ֣ח (paḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6341: A, sheet, a spring net

where no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

bait [has been set]?
וּמוֹקֵ֖שׁ (ū·mō·w·qêš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare

Does a trap
פַּח֙ (paḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6341: A, sheet, a spring net

spring
הֲיַֽעֲלֶה־ (hă·ya·‘ă·leh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the ground
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

when it has
וְלָכ֖וֹד (wə·lā·ḵō·wḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

nothing
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to catch?
יִלְכּֽוֹד׃ (yil·kō·wḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere


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OT Prophets: Amos 3:5 Can a bird fall in a trap (Amo. Am)
Amos 3:4
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