θήρα

hunting, entrapping

Definition

The Greek word θήρα (thēra) primarily means 'hunting' or 'the act of catching prey.' It can refer to the hunt itself, the game or prey that is caught, or the means of capture, such as a net or trap. In its single New Testament occurrence in Romans 11:9, it is used metaphorically. The Apostle Paul quotes Psalm 69:22 (LXX), where David speaks of his enemies, and Paul applies it to the spiritual condition of unbelieving Israel: 'Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.' Here, 'trap' translates θήρα, conveying the idea of being ensnared or caught unexpectedly by judgment due to persistent unbelief.

Biblical Usage

Θήρα is used only once in the New Testament, in Romans 11:9. It appears in a quotation from the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) of Psalm 69:22. In this context, its usage is entirely metaphorical and prophetic, describing a spiritual 'trap' or 'snare' that results from hardening one's heart against God. There is no literal usage of hunting or game in the New Testament for this word.

Etymology

The word θήρα is a native Greek noun derived from the verb θηράω (thēraō), meaning 'to hunt' or 'to catch.' It is related to θήρ (thēr), meaning 'wild beast' or 'game animal.' The root concept ties together the act of hunting, the animal hunted, and the instrument used for the hunt. This semantic range is fully carried into its biblical usage.

Semantic Range

Theologically, θήρα is significant in its sole use because it illustrates the serious consequences of rejecting God's revelation. In Romans 11:9, it is part of a scriptural warning about spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by highlighting the deliberate, judicial nature of the 'trap'—it is not mere misfortune but a divinely referenced consequence of unbelief, showing the continuity of God's warning through both the Psalms and Paul's teaching.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, hunting (θήρα) was a common activity for food, sport, and pest control. Traps and nets were standard tools. This cultural familiarity makes the metaphor in Romans 11:9 immediately powerful: a 'table'—a place of provision and fellowship—becoming a hunting trap is a shocking image of betrayal and unexpected danger, turning a source of life into a means of capture.

παγίς (pagis, G3803) — a snare or trap; often used more generally for any entrapment, including spiritual (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:7). βρόχος (brochos, G1029) — a noose or slip-knot; emphasizes the constricting nature of a snare (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7:35).

Word Details

Scripture References