Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "snare" is frequently used both literally and metaphorically to describe traps or devices that capture or ensnare. The concept of a snare is prevalent throughout the Bible, symbolizing the dangers and entrapments that can lead individuals away from righteousness and into sin.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, snares are often mentioned in the context of hunting and warfare. For example, in
Psalm 91:3, the psalmist declares, "Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly plague." Here, the snare represents a physical trap set by hunters to catch birds, symbolizing the dangers from which God delivers His faithful.
The metaphorical use of snares is also prominent, particularly in the wisdom literature.
Proverbs 22:5 warns, "Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them." This verse illustrates how sinful behavior can lead to entrapment and spiritual peril.
The Israelites were repeatedly cautioned against the snares of idolatry and pagan practices. In
Exodus 23:33, God commands, "They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." This warning highlights the spiritual danger of adopting the customs and beliefs of surrounding nations, which could lead the Israelites away from their covenant with God.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of a snare continues to be used metaphorically to describe spiritual and moral dangers. The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral epistles, advises Timothy about the perils of wealth and materialism. In
1 Timothy 6:9, Paul writes, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction." Here, the snare represents the enticements of wealth that can lead to spiritual downfall.
The New Testament also addresses the snares of false teachings and heresies. In
2 Timothy 2:26, Paul speaks of those who have been led astray, saying, "Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." This passage underscores the spiritual captivity that results from embracing false doctrines and the importance of returning to the truth of the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of a snare serves as a powerful reminder of the vigilance required in the Christian life. Believers are called to be aware of the various traps that can lead them away from their faith and into sin. The Bible consistently emphasizes the need for discernment, prayer, and reliance on God's guidance to avoid these spiritual pitfalls.
The imagery of a snare also highlights the subtlety and deception often involved in temptation. Just as a physical snare is designed to be hidden and unsuspecting, spiritual snares can appear innocuous or even appealing, making it essential for believers to remain grounded in Scripture and the teachings of Christ.
In summary, the biblical concept of a snare serves as a vivid illustration of the spiritual dangers that can entrap individuals, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith and to seek God's protection and wisdom in navigating the challenges of life.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The expression (
Amos 3:5), "Shall one take up a snare from the earth?" etc. (Authorized Version), ought to be, as in the Revised Version, "Shall a snare spring up from the ground?" etc. (see
GIN.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin.
2. (n.) Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble.
3. (n.) The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum.
4. (n.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wire loop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.
5. (v. t.) To catch with a snare; to ensnare; to entangle; hence, to bring into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SNAREsnar (pach; pagis, but brochos, in1 Corinthians 7:35): Over half a dozen Hebrew words are used to indicate different methods of taking birds and animals, of which the snare (pach) is mentioned oftener than any other. It was a noose of hair for small birds, of wire for larger birds or smaller animals. The snares were set in a favorable location and grain scattered to attract the attention of feathered creatures. They accepted the bribe of good feeding and walked into the snare, not suspecting danger. For this reason the snare became particularly applicable in describing a tempting bribe offered by men to lead their fellows into trouble, and the list of references is a long one, all of the same nature. SeeExodus 10:71 Samuel 18:21;1 Samuel 28:9;Psalm 11:6;Psalm 18:5, "snares of death"; used symbolically of anything that may kill: 91:3; 124:07:00; 140:05:00; 141:09:00;Proverbs 7:23;Proverbs 13:14;Proverbs 18:7;Proverbs 20:25;Proverbs 22:25;Proverbs 29:25Ecclesiastes 9:12. But this is a people robbed and plundered; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison-houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore" (Isaiah 41:22). Here it is specified that the snare was in a hole so covered as to conceal it.Jeremiah 18:22 clearly indicates that the digging of a pit to take prey was customary, and also the hiding of the snare for the feet. North American Indians in setting a snare usually figure on catching the bird around the neck.Jeremiah 50:24, "I have laid a snare for thee";Hosea 9:8, "A fowler's snare is in all his ways";Amos 3:5 seems to indicate that the snare was set for the feet;Luke 21:34, "But take heed to yourselves, lest haply.... that day come on you suddenly as a snare";Romans 11:9, "Let their table be made a snare, and a trap";1 Corinthians 7:35, "not that I may cast a snare upon you";1 Timothy 3:7, "the snare of the devil"; also 6:9 "But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition."
SeeGIN;NET; TRAP.
Gene Stratton-Porter
SPIRIT, HOLY
SeeHOLY SPIRIT.
SPIRIT, UNCLEAN (OR EVIL)
SeeDEMON, DEMONIAC.
Greek
3803. pagis -- a trap,snare... a trap,
snare. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pagis Phonetic Spelling:
(pag-ece') Short Definition: a
snare, trap Definition: a
snare, trap
...4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally asnare...
... a stick for bait (of a trap), generally asnare, a stumbling block, an offense.
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skandalon Phonetic Spelling: (skan...
4624. skandalizo -- to put asnare (in the way), hence to cause to...
... to put asnare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense. Part of
Speech: Verb Transliteration: skandalizo Phonetic Spelling: (skan-dal-id'-zo...
1029. brochos -- a noose, halter
... a noose, halter. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: brochos Phonetic
Spelling: (brokh'-os) Short Definition: a noose orsnare Definition: a noose...
5604. odin -- a birth pang
... odin Phonetic Spelling: (o-deen') Short Definition: the pain of childbirth, severe
agony Definition: the pain of childbirth, acute pain, severe agony, asnare....
1388. dolos -- a bait, fig. craft, deceit
... 1388 ("deceit motivated by ") uses tosnare (deceive) people which implies to
exploit the naive (undiscerning) -- them through (with) their ....
1389. doloo -- to ensnare, fig. to adulterate
... Cognate: 1389 (from 1388 , "bait") -- properly, to lure (orsnare) -- holding out
the worm and concealing the hook!; ; "primarily, ; then to corrupt -- used of...
Strong's Hebrew
4170. moqesh -- a bait or lure, asnare... 4169, 4170. moqesh or moqesh. 4171 . a bait or lure, a
snare. Transliteration:
moqesh or moqesh Phonetic Spelling: (mo-kashe') Short Definition:
snare.
...4434. malkodeth -- a catching instrument, asnare, trap
... a catching instrument, asnare, trap. Transliteration: malkodeth Phonetic Spelling:
(mal-ko'-deth) Short Definition: trap.... trap. From lakad; asnare -- trap....
6782. tsammim -- perhaps asnare, trap
... 6781b, 6782. tsammim. 6783 . perhaps asnare, trap. Transliteration: tsammim
Phonetic Spelling: (tsam-meem') Short Definition: schemer....
4364b. mikmar -- a net,snare
... mikmar. 4365 . a net,snare. Transliteration: mikmar Short Definition: net. Word
Origin from the same as makmor Definition a net,snare NASB Word Usage net (1...
7078. qenets -- asnare, net
... 7077, 7078. qenets. 7079 . asnare, net. Transliteration: qenets Phonetic
Spelling: (keh'-nets) Short Definition: hunt. Word Origin...
4364a. makmor -- a net,snare
... makmor. 4364b . a net,snare. Transliteration: makmor Short Definition: nets.
Word Origin from an unused word Definition a net,snare NASB Word Usage nets (1)...
4364. makmar -- a net,snare
... 4363, 4364. makmar. 4364a . a net,snare. Transliteration: makmar Phonetic
Spelling: (mak-mawr') Short Definition: net. net Or mikmor...
3369. yaqosh -- to lay a bait or lure
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to lay a bait or lure NASB Word Usage ensnared
(1), set (1), set asnare (1), snared (4), trapper (1). fowler lay asnare....
5367. naqash -- to knock, strike, hit, strike or bring down
... root Definition to knock, strike, hit, strike or bring down NASB Word Usage ensnared
(1), lay snares (1), laying asnare (1), seize (1), snared (1)....
3353. yaqush -- a fowler, trapper
... fowler,snare. Passive participle of yaqosh; properly, entangled, ie By implication
(intransitively) asnare, or (transitive) a snarer -- fowler,snare....
Library
TheSnare of the Fowler
... TheSnare of the Fowler. A Sermon (No.124).... at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens.
"Surely he shall deliver thee from thesnare of the fowler.""Psalm 91:3....
Have a Care.
... The world has many gaudy wings" Have a care! She flits among the flow'rs and sings"
Many asnare.... She bids you take one little sup" Many asnare....
Psalm CXXIV.
... 9. "Our soul is escaped, even as a bird out of thesnare of the fowlers" (ver.7).
Because the Lord was in the soul itself, therefore hath that soul escaped...
The Same Care must be Taken that Our Speech Proceed not from Evil...
... Wherefore the prophet says not without cause, as we heard read to-day: "Surely He
hath delivered me from thesnare of the hunter and from the hard word." [52...
Heathen Plots
... measures. But Nehemiah was convinced that the letter was wholly false, written
to arouse his fears and draw him into asnare. This...
Psalm XCI.
... 3. He then who so imitates Christ as to endure all the troubles of this world, with
his hopes set upon God, that he falls into nosnare, is broken down by no...
The Second Epistle.
... again. Follow after him no more, for he is far off. For he has escaped like
a roe out of thesnare, because his soul is wounded. Thou...
Two Ancient Proverbs
... 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth asnare; but whoso puteth his trust
in the Lord shall be safe." "Proverbs 29:25. We have...
2 Timothy ii. 20, 21
... Ver.26. "And that they may recover themselves out of thesnare of the devil."....
For not to do the will of God is asnare of the devil....
Tenth Commandment
... A TEMPTATION AND ASNARE.... So riches never satisfy: the pursuit of them always turns
out asnare. Lot coveted the rich plains of Sodom, and what did he gain?...
Thesaurus
Snare (69 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary The expression (Amos 3:5), "Shall one take up a
snare from the earth?" etc.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SNARE.
...Gin (10 Occurrences)
... (1.) Psalm 140:5, 141:9, Amos 3:5, the Hebrew word used, mokesh, means a noose or
"snare," as it is elsewhere rendered (Psalm 18:5; Proverbs 13:14, etc.)....
Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... were used for food. Psalm 91:3: "For he will deliver thee from thesnare
of the fowler. And from the deadly pestilence." This is...
Trap (35 Occurrences)
... trap for foxes. 5. (n.) Fig.: Asnare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device
by which one may be caught unawares. 6. (n.) A wooden...
Fowler's (3 Occurrences)
... Psalms 91:3 That He will deliver thee from thesnare of the fowler, and from the
noisome pestilence. (See NIV).... Thesnare is broken, and we have escaped....
Ophrah (9 Occurrences)
... He then assumed the function of high priest, and sought to make Ophrah what Shiloh
should have been. This thing "became asnare" to Gideon and his house....
Bait (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish,
or other animals, by alluring them to a hook,snare, enclosure, or net....
Snared (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofSnare. Multi-Version Concordance
Snared (11 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 7:25 You shall burn...
Snares (24 Occurrences)
... Judges 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but
they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be asnare unto you...
Serve (407 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:43 And if thy hand serve as asnare to thee, cut it off: it is better for
thee to enter into life maimed, than having thy two hands to go away into hell...
Resources
How is the fear of man a snare (Proverbs 29:25)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the biblical punishment for adultery? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that fear is a liar? | GotQuestions.orgSnare: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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