Charles Ellicott Commentary Amos 3:5

"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?" — Amos 3:5 (ASV)

Can a bird. —Better, Does the snare rise up from the ground, and take nothing at all?" The English Version's "take up" is due to the 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.