Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the concept of "bait" is not explicitly mentioned as a physical object used for trapping or luring animals, as it is commonly understood today. However, the idea of bait can be metaphorically related to the temptations and snares that lead individuals away from righteousness and into sin. The Bible frequently addresses the dangers of temptation and the cunning nature of sin, which can be likened to bait used by a hunter or fisherman.
Temptation and Sin as BaitThe Bible often uses imagery that parallels the concept of bait to describe how individuals can be lured into sin.
James 1:14-15 states, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." Here, the language of being "lured away and enticed" suggests a process similar to being caught by bait, where one's own desires act as the lure.
Snares and TrapsThe Bible frequently warns against the snares and traps set by the wicked, which can be understood as metaphorical bait. In
Proverbs 1:17-18 , it is written, "How futile it is to spread the net in the sight of any bird! But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives." This passage highlights the self-destructive nature of those who set traps for others, ultimately ensnaring themselves.
Psalm 141:9 also reflects this theme: "Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the lures of the evildoers." The psalmist prays for protection from the traps and lures set by the wicked, recognizing the danger of being caught by such bait.
Satan as the Ultimate TempterIn the New Testament, Satan is often depicted as the ultimate tempter, using various forms of bait to lead believers astray.
1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The imagery of a prowling lion suggests a predator using stealth and cunning, akin to setting bait to capture its prey.
Avoiding the Bait of SinBelievers are encouraged to remain vigilant and to avoid the bait of sin by adhering to God's Word and seeking His wisdom.
Proverbs 4:14-15 advises, "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by." This counsel underscores the importance of recognizing and avoiding the paths that lead to temptation and sin.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly mention "bait" in the context of hunting or fishing, the metaphorical use of bait as a representation of temptation and sin is prevalent throughout Scripture. Believers are called to be aware of the snares and lures of the enemy and to rely on God's guidance to navigate the challenges of life without falling into the traps set by sin.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, enclosure, or net.
2. (v. i.) Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.
3. (n.) A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
4. (n.) A light or hasty luncheon.
5. (v. t.) To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
6. (v. t.) To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses.
7. (v. t.) To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
8. (v. i.) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
9. (v. i.) To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
Greek
1388. dolos -- abait, fig. craft, deceit... dolos. 1389 . a
bait, fig.
... 1388 -- properly,
bait; (figuratively) deceit (trickery)
using to ("hook") people, especially those in , (brought on by themselves).
...4625. skandalon -- a stick forbait (of a trap), generally a snare...
... a stick forbait (of a trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense.
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skandalon Phonetic Spelling: (skan...
1185. deleazo -- to lure
... to lure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: deleazo Phonetic Spelling:
(del-eh-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I allure, entice by abait Definition: I allure...
1386. dolios -- deceitful
... treacherous, deceitful, fraudulent. Cognate: 1386 -- deceitful -- advertising
thebait and concealing the hook! See 1388 (). Word Origin...
1389. doloo -- to ensnare, fig. to adulterate
... Cognate: 1389 (from 1388 , "bait") -- properly, to lure (or snare) -- holding out
the worm and concealing the hook!; ; "primarily, ; then to corrupt -- used of...
1387. dolioo -- to deceive
... Cognate: 1387 (from 1388 , "bait") -- properly, to lure, using to pull someone in;
to deceive, preying on people who are blinded by their own bitterness, greed...
97. adolos -- guileless, genuine
... 97 (an adjective, derived from 1 "without" and 1388 , "bait, deceit") -- properly,
not-caught (in a trap), referring to being (, ); (hidden, "mixed motives")....
Strong's Hebrew
4170. moqesh -- abait or lure, a snare... 4169, 4170. moqesh or moqesh. 4171 . a
bait or lure, a snare. Transliteration:
moqesh or moqesh Phonetic Spelling: (mo-kashe') Short Definition: snare.
...3369. yaqosh -- to lay abait or lure
... 3368, 3369. yaqosh. 3370 . to lay abait or lure. Transliteration: yaqosh Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-koshe') Short Definition: snared. Word Origin a prim....
6983. qush -- to laybait or lure
... to laybait or lure. Transliteration: qush Phonetic Spelling: (koshe) Short Definition:
ensnare.... root Definition to laybait or lure NASB Word Usage ensnare (1)....
Library
But Perhaps Some one is Alarmed at Hearing us Discourse of the...
... the Apostle Paul says, "found in fashion as a man"), might lure on the Prince of
this world to a conflict, to whom offering His flesh as abait, His divinity...
The Snare of the Fowler
... adaptation. You do not find a fowler setting the same snare for one bird as
for another; he knows his bird and he adapts hisbait to it....
Turning-Points
... poor soul sees neither heaven nor hell, nor anything but his own selfish interest,
selfish pleasure, or selfish pride, and snaps at the devil'sbait as easily...
Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... The ungodly man first of all finds sin to be abait, and, charmed by its apparent
pleasantness he indulges in it, and then he becomes entangled in its meshes...
Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... The ungodly man first of all finds sin to be abait, and charmed by its apparent
pleasantness he indulges in it and then he becomes entangled in its meshes so...
Ambition in Service.
... Out in the deeps are fish that have never had smell or sight ofbait or net.... And
the fish get very particular about the sort and shape of thebait....
The Temptation
... In truth, no man is allured by sin, but only by thebait and bribe of sin,
except perhaps in the last stages of spiritual decomposition....
How Eurycles Calumniated the Sons of Mariamne; and How Euaratus of...
... He presented Herod with splendid gifts, as abait which he laid in order to compass
his ends, and quickly received them back again manifold; yet did he esteem...
But Possibly one who Has Given his Attention to the Course of the...
... Deity was hidden under the veil of our nature, that so, as with ravenous fish [2001] ,
the hook of the Deity might be gulped down along with thebait of flesh...
The victory of the King
... Most men are most tempted by fleshly desires. Satan had tried the samebait before
on the first Adam.... Thebait is skilfully wound over the barbed hook....
Thesaurus
Bait (3 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) A light or hasty luncheon. 5. (vt) To provoke and harass; esp., to harass
or torment for sport; as, to
bait a bear with dogs; to
bait a bull.
...Bite (13 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To take abait into the mouth, as a fish does; hence, to take a tempting
offer. 10. (vi) To take or keep a firm hold; as, the anchor bites. 11....
Allure (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To attempt to draw; to tempt by a lure orbait, that is, by the offer of
some good, real or apparent; to invite by something flattering or acceptable...
Angle (19 Occurrences)
... astrological houses. 6. (n.) A fishhook; tackle for catching fish, consisting
of a line, hook, andbait, with or without a rod. 7. (vi...
Bail (1 Occurrence)
Offend (24 Occurrences)
... Skandalon is primarily "a trap-stick," "a bentstick on which thebait is fastened
which the animal strikes against and so springs the trap," hence, it came to...
Gentle (48 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A trained falcon. See Falcon-gentil. 8. (n.) A dipterous larva used as fish
bait. 9. (vt) To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble. 10....
Guile (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:14); once of remiyah, "deception," "fraud" (Psalm 32:2, "in whose spirit
there is no guile"); in the New Testament of dolos, "bait," hence, generally...
Influence (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:18 For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use
earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as abait to entrap men who are...
Float (4 Occurrences)
... or boiler. 4. (n.) The cork or quill used in angling, to support thebait
line, and indicate the bite of a fish. 5. (vi) Anything...
Resources
Why should we read the Bible / study the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be “fishers of men”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about overcoming lust? | GotQuestions.orgBait: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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