Snare

Snare (usually the rendering in the A.V. of יִקִשׁ קוֹשׁ, or נָקִשׁ, all kindred roots signifying to catch by the foot in a spring noose; occasionally of פִּח, etc.; βρόχος, παγίς), a gin, net, or trap, especially of the fowler (Isa 8:14; Am 3; Am 5); also such a one as seizes and holds beasts or men by the foot (Job 18:9; Jer 18:22). They were set in the path or hidden in the ground (Pr 7:23; Pr 22:5; Ps 140:5; Ps 119:110; Jer 18:22). The form of this spring or trap net appears from the original word pach (Am 3:5; Ps 69:23). It was in two parts, which, when set, were spread out upon the ground and slightly fastened with a stick (trap stick), so that as soon as a bird or beast touched the stick, the parts flew up and enclosed the bird in the net or caught the foot of the animal.(Job 18:9). In Ps 69:23, "Let their table before them become a net," here the shulchan is the Oriental cloth or leather spread upon the ground like a net. The original term is figuratively put for any cause of destruction (Jos 23:13; Ho 5:1; Job 22:10). Thus is usually rendered Ps 11:6, "Upon the wicked God shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone." But the Hebrew word might here be rendered coals, burning coals, and then lightning. Still the significations nets, snares, may here well be retained as an emblem of destruction to the wicked. The "snares of death" (2Sa 22:6; Ps 18:5) are poetically put in apposition with the cords (A.V. improperly "sorrows") of Sheol. SEE NET.