Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, nets were essential tools primarily used for fishing, a common occupation among the people of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. The use of nets is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing both practical and spiritual themes.
Old Testament ReferencesNets are first mentioned in the Old Testament, where they are often associated with the livelihood of fishermen. In
Habakkuk 1:15, the prophet describes the Chaldeans as fishermen who "catch them all with a hook, they drag them away with a net, and gather them in their fishing net; so they rejoice and are glad." Here, the net symbolizes the power and success of the Chaldeans in capturing their enemies.
The use of nets is also metaphorically extended to describe traps or snares set by the wicked. In
Psalm 140:5, David laments, "The proud have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and set traps along my path." This imagery conveys the dangers and deceit that the righteous may face from their adversaries.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, nets are prominently featured in the Gospels, particularly in the context of Jesus' ministry. The calling of the first disciples is a significant event involving nets. In
Matthew 4:18-20 , Jesus calls Simon Peter and his brother Andrew: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed Him." Here, the net symbolizes the disciples' former life and their new mission to gather people into the kingdom of God.
The miraculous catch of fish is another notable event involving nets. In
John 21:6 , after His resurrection, Jesus instructs the disciples, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." When they do, they are unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. This miracle underscores Jesus' authority and the abundance that comes from obedience to His word.
Symbolism and Spiritual LessonsNets in the Bible often symbolize the gathering of people, whether for judgment or salvation. In the Parable of the Net, found in
Matthew 13:47-50 , Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net that is let down into the sea and catches all kinds of fish. When the net is full, the fishermen pull it to shore, sit down, and collect the good fish in baskets, but throw the bad away. This parable illustrates the final judgment, where the righteous and the wicked will be separated.
The imagery of nets also serves as a reminder of the call to evangelism. Just as fishermen use nets to gather fish, believers are called to spread the Gospel and draw people to Christ. The transformation from fishermen to "fishers of men" signifies the shift from a temporal occupation to an eternal mission.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, fishing was a vital industry, and nets were crafted from materials like flax or linen. They varied in size and design, including casting nets, drag nets, and trammel nets, each serving different purposes. The skillful use of nets required knowledge of the waters, weather conditions, and fish behavior, reflecting the expertise of those who made their living from the sea.
Overall, nets in the Bible are rich in symbolism and provide insight into the daily life and spiritual teachings of the biblical world. They remind believers of the call to discipleship, the reality of judgment, and the promise of divine provision.
ATS Bible Dictionary
NetsAre often referred to in Scripture,Proverbs 1:17Ecclesiastes 7:26Isaiah 19:8,9Habakkuk 1:15,16, particularly in connection with the first disciples of Christ,Matthew 4:18 13:47-50Luke 5:1-10. Before the invention of fire-arms, nets were much used in hunting and fowling, and possible in catching men, as robbers, etc.,Job 19:6Psalm 140:5Micah 7:2. Among the ancient Romans there was a gladiatorial game, in which one man was armed with sword and shield, and his antagonist with a net, by casting which he strove to entangle the other so that he might easily dispatch him with has dagger.
Greek
1350. diktuon -- a net... 6; Jn 21:6,8,11). [1350 () was also used for hunting
nets, especially to
catch birds.]. Word Origin from dikein (to cast) Definition
...Strong's Hebrew
5322a.nets -- a blossom... 5322, 5322a.
nets. 5322b . a blossom. Transliteration:
nets Short Definition:
blossoms.
... 5322, 5322a.
nets. 5322b . Strong's Numbers.
5322b.nets -- hawk, falcon (a bird of prey)
... 5322a, 5322b.nets. 5323 . hawk, falcon (a bird of prey). Transliteration:
nets Short Definition: hawk.... 5322a, 5322b.nets. 5323 . Strong's Numbers.
5322.nets -- a blossom
... 5321, 5322.nets. 5322a . a blossom. Transliteration:nets Phonetic Spelling:
(nayts) Short Definition: blossom. blossom, hawk... 5321, 5322.nets. 5322a...
4894a. mishtoach -- a spreading-place (for drying fruit ornets)
... 4894, 4894a. mishtoach or mishtach. 4894b . a spreading-place (for drying fruit
ornets). Transliteration: mishtoach or mishtach Short Definition: spreading...
4894b. mishtach -- a spreading-place (for drying fruit ornets)
... 4894a, 4894b. mishtach. 4895 . a spreading-place (for drying fruit or
nets). Transliteration: mishtach Short Definition: spreading....
4894. mishtowach -- a spreading-place (for drying fruit ornets)
... mishtowach. 4894a . a spreading-place (for drying fruit ornets). Transliteration:
mishtowach Phonetic Spelling: (mish-to'-akh) Short Definition: forth....
5019. Nebukadnetstsar -- "Nebo, protect the boundary," a Bab. king
... king. Transliteration: Nebukadnetstsar or Nebbukadnetstsar Phonetic Spelling:
(neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar') Short Definition: Nebuchadnezzar....
4685c. metsodah -- a net
... a net. Transliteration: metsodah Short Definition:nets. Word Origin from tsud
Definition a net NASB Word Usage huntingnets (1), net (1). 4685b, 4685c....
5333. netsib -- a pillar, prefect, garrison, post
... netsib or netsib. 5334 . a pillar, prefect, garrison, post. Transliteration: netsib
or netsib Phonetic Spelling: (nets-eeb') Short Definition: garrisons....
4364a. makmor -- a net, snare
... a net, snare. Transliteration: makmor Short Definition:nets. Word Origin from an
unused word Definition a net, snare NASB Word Usagenets (1). 4364, 4364a....
Library
St. Andrew's Day. And Jesus Saith unto Them, Follow Me. . . And...
... And they straightway left theirnets, and followed Him. And Jesus saith unto them,
Follow me. . . And they straightway left theirnets, and followed Him....
Jesus Went into the Deeps.
... And so to every one of us to-day comes afresh that ringing command, "Launch
out into the deep and let down yournets for a draught."...
Use what You Have.
... The third step in this service-call is this: practicality in service: "Let down
yournets." I can imagine Peter saying, "Master, if we had known your plans for...
Among the Fishermen.
... They had washed theirnets and had given up fishing until night again, for morning
was not a good time for fishing, but Jesus said to Peter and Andrew,"....
B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11
... was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and he saw two boats standing by the lake:
but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing theirnets.3 And...
Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
... Peter, and Andrew his brother, { ^b the brother of Simon} casting a net in { ^a
into} the sea [The New Testament speaks of three kinds ofnets, viz.: the...
A Water Haul.
... When He had finished talking, He turned to Peter and said quietly, "Launch out into
the deep, and let down yournets for a draught." And Peter smiled at the...
The Recall of the Fishermen.
... that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and he saw two boats standing by
the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing theirnets....
Instructions for Fishermen
... 'Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the
deep, and let down yournets for a draught.'"Luke 5:4....
The Early Preaching and the First Disciples
... And straightway they left thenets, and followed Him. And going... The first
are casting theirnets and eager in their quest. The others...
Thesaurus
Nets (33 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Nets (33 Occurrences). Matthew 4:20 They immediately left
their
nets and followed him. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
...Trawl-nets (4 Occurrences)
Trawl-nets. Traversing, Trawl-nets. Tray . Multi-Version Concordance
Trawl-nets (4 Occurrences). Matthew 4:20 And they...
Fishing (4 Occurrences)
... It was from the fishing-nets that Jesus called his disciples (Mark 1:16-20), and
it was in a fishing-boat he rebuked the winds and the waves (Matthew 8:26) and...
Fishermen (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV). Luke 5:2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the
fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing theirnets....
Fishers (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:2 and he saw two boats standing beside the lake, and the fishers,
having gone away from them, were washing thenets, (YLT)....
Immediately (141 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:20 They immediately left theirnets and followed him. (WEB WEY DBY WBS
YLT NAS RSV).... Mark 1:18 Immediately they left theirnets, and followed him....
Net (91 Occurrences)
... The fishing-net was probably constructed after the form of that used by the
Egyptians (Isaiah 19:8). There were three kinds ofnets....
Zabdi (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:21 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John,
in the boat with their father Zabdi mending theirnets; and He called them...
Zebedee (11 Occurrences)
... 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending theirnets....
Zeb'edee (11 Occurrences)
... having advanced thence, he saw other two brothers, James of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, refitting theirnets, and he...
Resources
What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Andrew in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 3) | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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