נָקַשׁ
to entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָקַשׁ (nâqash) means to set a trap or snare, often with the intent to capture or ensnare. It can be used literally, as in physically laying a snare for an animal (Psalm 38:12), or figuratively, describing the act of luring someone into a morally or spiritually dangerous situation (Deuteronomy 12:30). In a judicial context, it can imply setting a trap to catch someone in wrongdoing, as seen in the imprecatory prayer of Psalm 109:11 where the psalmist asks for creditors to 'lay a snare' for the wicked. The word consistently conveys a sense of deliberate, cunning entrapment.
Biblical Usage
נָקַשׁ is used five times in the Old Testament, primarily in poetic and legal contexts. It appears in Deuteronomy as a warning against being spiritually ensnared by foreign gods (Deuteronomy 12:30). In the historical narrative of 1 Samuel 28:9, it is used by the medium of Endor who fears Saul is setting a trap for her. The Psalms employ it to describe both physical traps set by enemies (Psalm 38:12) and the metaphorical snare of divine justice that catches the wicked (Psalm 9:16, 109:11).
Etymology
נָקַשׁ is a primitive root. It is related to the noun מוֹקֵשׁ (môqēsh, H4170), meaning 'snare' or 'trap,' which is derived from this verb. The core idea of the root involves the action of laying or springing a snare, emphasizing the mechanism of entrapment itself.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays the nature of sin, idolatry, and divine justice. It warns believers against being spiritually 'ensnared' by practices that lead away from God (Deuteronomy 12:30). Conversely, it also depicts God's justice as an active force that can 'ensnare' the wicked in the consequences of their own actions (Psalm 9:16). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of imprecatory psalms and legal warnings, highlighting the active, dangerous nature of moral and spiritual compromise.
In ancient Israel, trapping with snares was a common method for hunting. This tangible, everyday danger provided a powerful metaphor for spiritual and social perils. The 'snare' was a sudden, hidden mechanism of capture, which differs from a modern understanding of a trap that might be more mechanical. This cultural reality made the metaphor of נָקַשׁ immediately understandable as a description of unexpected and inescapable danger.
פָּח (pach, H6341) — A more general term for a bird-trap or snare, often used interchangeably but sometimes implying the actual device rather than the act of setting it. יָקוֹשׁ (yāqôsh, H3369) — Another verb meaning to lay a bait or lure, to lay snares, with a very similar meaning and usage.
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.
Full methodology & sources →