Amos 5:19 Meaning and Explanation
“As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The day of the Lord will be like escaping a lion only to meet a bear, or reaching safety only to be bitten by a snake.
What Does Amos 5:19 Mean?
The prophet paints the inescapability of that day with a vivid scene. A man flees a lion only to run straight into a bear; he reaches the safety of his house and leans against the wall, only to be bitten by a serpent hiding there. Every supposed escape leads to a new danger.
For those unready to meet God, there is no hiding from His judgment; danger lurks even in apparent refuge. The image strips away every false hope of escaping accountability. Yet the very hopelessness it describes is meant to drive the hearer to the one true refuge before that day. The verse warns the reader that there is no safe corner apart from God Himself, and that the time to seek shelter in Him is now, while it can still be found.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos 5:19
What does Amos 5:19 mean?
The day of the Lord will be like escaping a lion only to meet a bear, or reaching safety only to be bitten by a snake.