snares in the Bible

Hebrew: מוֹקֵשׁ —transliteration: moqesh —meaning: a bait or lure, a snare

Hebrew: רֶשֶׁת —transliteration: resheth —meaning: a net

Greek: παγίς —transliteration: pagis —meaning: a trap, a snare

Various types of traps were set in biblical times.

• Baited snare

  

  a baited snare

  

  One version of a fowler’s snare. Artist: Raymond Sheppard (image cropped and enhanced).

  The words of Amos, “Shall one take up a snare from the earth?” (Amos 3:5 KJV), ought to be, as in the Revised King James Version, “Shall a snare spring up from the ground?”

  The modern conservative Legacy Standard Bible translates this verse as…

  Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it?
  Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all? —Amos 3:5 LSB

• Fowler’s snare

  Nets and various snare traps were devised to ensnare birds.

  Fowlers in the Bible

  About birds in the Bible

• Nets

  Nets were spread to ensnare both birds and fish.

  Scripture also speaks of firgurative nets spread to catch the feet of men.

  The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made;
  In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught. —Psalm 9:15 LSB

  He lies in wait in a hiding place as a lion in his lair;
  He lies in wait to catch the afflicted;
  He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. —Psalm 10:9 LSB

  The Psalmist trusted God keep him safe.

  My eyes are continually toward Yahweh,
  For He will bring my feet out of the net. —Psalm 25:15 LSB

  You will bring me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
  For You are my strength. —Psalm 31:4 LSB

  For without cause they hid their net for me;
  Without cause they dug a pit for my soul. —Psalm 35:7

  Let destruction, which he does not know, come upon him,
  And let the net, which he hid, catch him;
  Let him fall into it in destruction. —Psalm 35:8 LSB

• Pits

  Pits were dug to catch unaware animals or people.

• Snares of Satan

  The Apostle Paul specifically warns of the danger of snares of the Devil. They are perilous and often sudden and unexpected. Most if not all his snares are related to sinfulness—lies, deception, false doctrine, pride, evil thoughts, love of money, lust, anger, accusations, sexual immorality, excessive drinking, various addictions, etc. In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul advises followers of Christ to…

  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. —Ephesians 6:11 LSB

  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. —1 Timothy 6:9 LSB

  And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. —1 Timothy 3:7 LSB

  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. —2 Timothy 2:26 LSB

  By transgression an evil man is ensnared,
  But the righteous sings with joy and is glad. —Proverbs 29:6 LSB

  • Who is SATAN, the enemy of God and all people? Answer
  • Is Satan A REAL PERSON that influences our world today? Is he affecting you? Answer
  • SATAN’S STRATEGY—What is one of Satan’s most successful strategies in dealing with followers of Christ? Answer
  • Temptation in the Bible
  • How can I deal with temptations?
  • The Snare of the Fowler sermon TEXT by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (March 29, 1857)
  
  
  Streaming video— 

  “The Snare of the Fowler by C.H. Spurgeon”

  The Prince of Preachers Broadcas

  Length: 42 minutes

• Man does not know his time

  Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish seized in an evil net and birds seized in a trap, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them. —Ecclesiastes 9:12 LSB

More information

• What is a gin in the Bible?
• Hunting in the Bible
• Nets in the Bible
• the art of fishing
• Hunting in the Bible