θηρεύω
I hunt, seek to catch
Definition
The verb θηρεύω literally means 'to hunt' or 'to catch by hunting,' describing the pursuit of wild animals. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the act of seeking to entrap or catch someone in their words, with a hostile or malicious intent. This figurative sense is the only one that appears in the biblical text, specifically in Luke 11:54, where scribes and Pharisees are 'lying in wait' for Jesus, seeking to catch him in something he might say.
Biblical Usage
θηρεύω is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 11:54. In this context, it describes the intense, hostile scrutiny of the religious leaders toward Jesus. They are not merely listening but actively and cunningly seeking an opportunity to entrap him in a verbal misstep, aiming to find grounds for accusation. This single usage perfectly captures the word's metaphorical sense of a predatory, strategic pursuit.
Etymology
Derived from the noun θήρ (thēr, G2342), meaning 'a wild beast' or 'wild animal.' The verb θηρεύω thus fundamentally means 'to hunt wild game.' This root meaning naturally extended into the metaphorical realm, describing the pursuit of people with the same cunning and intent as a hunter tracking prey.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the theme of opposition to Jesus's ministry. Understanding that the religious leaders were 'hunting' for a charge against him underscores the deliberate and malicious nature of their conflict, contrasting sharply with Jesus's open teaching. It enriches our reading by painting a vivid picture of the dangerous political and religious tensions surrounding his final journey to Jerusalem.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, hunting was a common activity for both sustenance and sport. The metaphor of 'hunting' for someone's words would have been immediately understood as describing a deliberate, patient, and strategic effort to corner a target. This cultural understanding amplifies the sense of danger and calculation in the scene from Luke.
ζητέω (zēteō, G2212) — a broader term for 'seeking,' not inherently hostile; ἐνεδρεύω (enedreuo, G1748) — to lie in ambush, emphasizing the element of waiting and surprise.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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