עמוס, פרק ט׳, פסוק ב׳

The absolute inability to escape Divine justice is painted through extreme geographic contrasts, stretching from the lowest depths of the earth to the highest mountain peaks. This vivid imagery expands on the reality that no escape route will ever help those trying to flee [מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators is that this poetic language drives home a clear message: there is simply no way to hide from God or escape His reach, whether looking above or below [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. This stark contrast between the deep underworld and the high heavens closely echoes the words of King David in the Book of Psalms, who wrote about the impossibility of fleeing from God's presence [רד״ק].

The imagery begins with the desperate act of digging deep into the ground, much like a person breaking through a solid wall to escape [מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. The goal is to reach a deep place in the earth or a deep grave, essentially carving out a hidden tunnel in the belly of the earth to find a safe haven [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. On the opposite extreme, the idea of ascending to heaven is not meant literally. Instead, it refers to climbing the tallest, most remote mountain peaks that appear to touch the sky itself [רש״י, מלבי״ם].

Whether individuals try to bury themselves in deep tunnels or climb to the highest peaks, the outcome remains exactly the same. God's hand, representing His word and decree, will easily reach them in their most distant hiding spots and pull them down [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The ultimate purpose of catching them is not merely to expose their hiding places. Rather, it is to take the runaways and hand them directly over to their enemies. This final act proves definitively that no human cleverness or physical barrier can save them from the surrounding nations [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].