Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of being "trapped" often carries both physical and spiritual connotations. It can refer to literal entrapment, such as being caught in a snare or a pit, as well as metaphorical entrapment, such as being ensnared by sin or deceit. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings related to the idea of being trapped, emphasizing the need for vigilance, wisdom, and reliance on God for deliverance.
Physical EntrapmentThe Bible frequently uses imagery of traps and snares to describe physical danger. In the Old Testament, hunters used snares to catch animals, and this imagery is often applied to human situations. For instance, 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 of the fowler" symbolizes any hidden danger or trap set by enemies, and the verse assures believers of God's protection.
Similarly,
Proverbs 22:5 warns, "Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them." This proverb highlights the dangers that lie in wait for those who stray from righteousness, suggesting that moral integrity serves as a safeguard against such traps.
Spiritual EntrapmentSpiritually, being trapped often refers to the entanglement in sin or deception. The New Testament addresses this theme, urging believers to remain vigilant against spiritual snares. In
2 Timothy 2:26, Paul speaks of those who have been ensnared by the devil: "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 reality of spiritual warfare and the need for divine intervention to break free from the enemy's grip.
The concept of spiritual entrapment is also evident in the teachings of Jesus. In
Matthew 16:23, Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Here, Jesus identifies Peter's misguided thinking as a potential trap that could divert Him from His divine mission.
Deliverance from TrapsThe Bible consistently teaches that deliverance from both physical and spiritual traps comes through faith in God.
Psalm 124:7 celebrates God's deliverance: "We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away." This verse poetically illustrates the freedom and relief that come from divine intervention.
Moreover, the Apostle Paul, in
1 Corinthians 10:13, offers reassurance to believers facing temptation: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it." This promise highlights God's faithfulness in providing a way out of spiritual entrapment.
Wisdom and VigilanceThe Bible encourages believers to exercise wisdom and vigilance to avoid being trapped.
Proverbs 1:17 states, "How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!" This proverb suggests that awareness and discernment can prevent one from falling into obvious traps.
Ephesians 6:11-12 further advises believers to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparedness in avoiding the snares of the enemy.
In summary, the Bible presents the concept of being trapped as a multifaceted issue, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. Through faith, wisdom, and vigilance, believers are called to rely on God's protection and deliverance from all forms of entrapment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Trap.
Strong's Hebrew
6351. pachach -- to ensnare... 6350, 6351. pachach. 6352 . to ensnare. Transliteration: pachach Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-khakh') Short Definition:
trapped. Word
...270. achaz -- to grasp, take hold, take possession
... 1), seized (10), seizes (3), take hold (6), take possession (1), taken (2), taken
hold (3), takes hold (2), took (1), took hold (3),trapped (1), wielders (1)....
Library
Book viii. On the Various Meanings of Words and Names
... And otherwise, to sleep is to betrapped in the sleep of sin; in the apostle:
Ye who sleep, arise! [Ps.40(41):9 Vulgate; Ephes.5:14]....
The Life of Mr. Robert Bruce.
... willing to bestow his labour thereon for a time), until by the joint advice of the
ministry of the city, and this stratagem, he was as it weretrapped into it...
A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... told that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, "God has given him into my power,
for by entering a town that has doors and bars he has let himself betrapped."....
The Second Word from the Cross
... It mattered not who or what was the object of attack; they were reduced to the
condition of tortured animals; and thetrapped brute bites at anything which...
Letter vi. --Fear Caused by Self-Love.
... In the one case, as in the other, he would deprive you of a great deal of your merit.
Do not, I beg of you, betrapped in such a palpable snare....
Sin the Mocker
... while we are in the stage of merely being tempted, but when we have done the evil,
they are unmasked, like a battery against a detachment that has beentrapped...
The First Sign --The Marriage in Cana.
... vulgar crowds; to be hated, and detested, and defamed, and blasphemed; to be regarded
as a public enemy; to be watched and spied upon andtrapped and taken as...
The Traitors
... "They laid a snare. And thou, O Prince, wast to betrapped therein.". Seti's
eyes were veiled and his face showed a heightening of color....
Meekness and Rest
... So they are never relaxed. Bright people are tense and alert in fear that
they may betrapped into saying something common or stupid....
Women's Bible Training School
... than ever. Having once tasted of the drug and experienced its effect, nothing
will induce them to betrapped a second time. Return...
Thesaurus
Trapped (10 Occurrences)... (imp. & pp) of Trap. Multi-Version Concordance
Trapped (10 Occurrences).
... (See
RSV). Proverbs 6:2 You are
trapped by the words of your mouth.
...Trap (35 Occurrences)
Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... God: as for the prophet, a fowler's snare is in all his ways, and enmity in the
house of his God." Wherever he goes, the prophet is in danger of beingtrapped....
Trapper (2 Occurrences)
Ensnared (10 Occurrences)
... Higgaion. Selah. (DBY NIV). Proverbs 6:2 You aretrapped by the words of your
mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. (WEB NIV)....
Snared (11 Occurrences)
... the net. (See NIV). Proverbs 6:2 You aretrapped by the words of your mouth.
You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. (Root...
Sinfulness (3 Occurrences)
... eyes. (See NIV). Proverbs 12:13 An evil man istrapped by sinfulness of
lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble. (WEB)....
Delivers (38 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver
them; but the faithless shall betrapped in their own crafty device....
Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... (DBY NIV). Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them,
but the unfaithful will betrapped by evil desires. (WEB NIV)....
Sinful (61 Occurrences)
... RSV). Proverbs 12:13 An evil man istrapped by sinfulness of lips, but the
righteous shall come out of trouble. (Root in WEB NIV)....
Resources
How can I help someone to leave a toxic cult? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the best way to evangelize someone who is in a cult or false religion? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is grave sucking / grave soaking / mantle grabbing? | GotQuestions.orgTrapped: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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