יָקֹשׁ
to ensnare (literally or figuratively)
Definition
The Hebrew verb יָקֹשׁ (yâqôsh) means to ensnare, trap, or lay a snare. It describes the literal action of a hunter or fowler setting a trap for prey, as seen in Psalm 124:7, where the psalmist praises God for delivering the soul from the fowler's snare. Figuratively, it depicts being caught or entangled by the consequences of one's own words or actions, such as in Proverbs 6:2, where one is 'snared' by the words of their mouth. It also conveys the idea of divine judgment, where God allows people to be ensnared by their own disobedience or by the schemes of enemies, as in Isaiah 8:15 and Isaiah 28:13.
Biblical Usage
This verb appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in poetic and prophetic books like Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. It is used in both literal contexts of hunting (Psalm 124:7) and metaphorical contexts of entrapment. In wisdom literature, it describes the consequences of foolish speech or pledges (Proverbs 6:2, Ecclesiastes 9:12). In prophetic texts, it often illustrates divine judgment, where people stumble and are caught in a snare as a result of rejecting God's word (Isaiah 8:15, 28:13). The verb also appears in narratives of warfare, as in Jeremiah 50:24, where Babylon is caught in a snare.
Etymology
יָקֹשׁ is a primitive root verb in Hebrew, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is specifically associated with the act of laying a snare or trap. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Akkadian, show similar roots meaning 'to hunt' or 'to trap,' indicating a shared cultural understanding of hunting techniques in the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays human vulnerability to entrapment—both from external dangers and from the consequences of sin. It highlights God's role as deliverer from snares (Psalm 124:7, 141:9) and also as one who allows snares as instruments of judgment (Isaiah 8:15). Understanding יָקֹשׁ enriches the reading of passages about divine justice, human responsibility, and the need for wisdom to avoid spiritual and moral traps.
In ancient Israel, hunting with snares was a common practice for capturing birds and small game. The imagery of a fowler's snare would have been immediately familiar to the original audience, making it a powerful metaphor for sudden, inescapable danger. This cultural context adds depth to its figurative use, emphasizing how people can be unexpectedly caught by circumstances, enemies, or their own errors.
פַּח (pach, H6341) — a specific type of snare or trap, often a mechanical device. מוֹקֵשׁ (môqêsh, H4170) — a bait or lure used in a snare, frequently used metaphorically for temptation or enticement. לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to capture or seize, a broader term for taking prey or prisoners.
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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