לֶכֶד
something to capture with, i.e. a noose
Definition
The Hebrew noun לֶכֶד (leked) refers to a device or means for capturing, specifically a noose or snare used to trap prey or enemies. It denotes something that ensnares or takes hold, functioning as an instrument of capture. The word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 3:26, where it is used metaphorically for a sudden disaster or trap that the Lord will guard the righteous against. There are no other biblical occurrences to suggest differing meanings.
Biblical Usage
לֶכֶד is used only in Proverbs 3:26, within the wisdom literature context. It appears in a poetic promise of divine protection: 'for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.' Here, it is employed figuratively, representing an unforeseen calamity or trap from which God delivers the wise. Its singular use limits observable patterns, but it aligns with the book's theme of trusting God for safety.
Etymology
לֶכֶד derives from the root verb לָכַד (lākad, H3920), meaning 'to capture, seize, or take.' This root is common in Hebrew, often used for capturing cities, people, or animals (e.g., Joshua 8:19). The noun form specifically denotes the instrument or means of capture, emphasizing the action's tool or result. Cognates in related Semitic languages also convey capturing or holding.
Semantic Range
Though a rare word, לֶכֶד carries theological weight in its sole context. It underscores God's role as protector in wisdom literature, assuring believers that divine wisdom guards against life's hidden dangers. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the metaphor of snares in biblical imagery for sin, judgment, or disaster (cf. Psalm 124:7), reinforcing trust in God's deliverance.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, nooses and snares were common hunting tools and military metaphors for ambush or entrapment. This reflects a society familiar with physical traps for survival and warfare. The metaphorical use in Proverbs would resonate with listeners aware of such dangers, emphasizing God's protection in a perilous world.
פַּח (pach, H6341) — a bird-trap or snare, often used metaphorically for sudden danger. מוֹקֵשׁ (mōqēsh, H4170) — a bait or lure for trapping, frequently figurative for sin or temptation. רֶשֶׁת (reshet, H7568) — a net for catching, used literally and metaphorically.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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