In biblical terminology, the term "drags" is often associated with fishing and the use of nets, particularly in the context of capturing fish. The imagery of drags and nets is frequently employed in Scripture to convey spiritual truths, divine judgment, and the gathering of people.

Old Testament References

The concept of drags is notably present in the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic literature. In Habakkuk 1:14-17, the prophet uses the imagery of fishing with nets and drags to describe the actions of the Chaldeans, who are likened to fishermen catching nations and peoples as fish. The passage reads:

"You have made men like the fish of the sea, like sea creatures with no ruler. The Chaldeans pull them all up with a hook, catch them in their net, and gather them in their dragnet; so they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice to their net and burn incense to their dragnet, for by these things their portion is generous and their food is rich. Will they therefore empty their net and continue to slay nations without mercy?" (Habakkuk 1:14-17)

Here, the "dragnet" symbolizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the Chaldeans' conquest, as well as their idolatrous reliance on their own power and methods.

New Testament Parables

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of a dragnet in one of His parables to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus says:

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:47-50)

This parable emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's kingdom and the final judgment, where a separation will occur between the righteous and the wicked. The dragnet represents the inclusive call of the gospel, gathering all people, while the sorting process signifies the ultimate divine judgment.

Theological Implications

The use of drags and nets in Scripture often conveys themes of divine sovereignty, judgment, and the inclusivity of God's call. The imagery serves as a reminder of God's control over nations and individuals, as well as the ultimate accountability that all people have before Him. The parable of the dragnet underscores the reality of the final judgment and the importance of being found righteous in the sight of God.

Practical Application

For believers, the imagery of drags and nets can serve as a call to participate in the mission of the church, casting the net of the gospel wide to reach all people. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the coming judgment and the need for personal righteousness and faithfulness to God's commands.4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... Definition to draw, drag NASB Word Usage away (1), bore (1), continue (1), deferred
(1), delayed (2), deployed (1), drag (1), drag me away (1), drags (1), draw ...
/hebrew/4900.htm - 6k

5445. sabal -- to bear (a heavy load)
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bear (a heavy load) NASB Word Usage
bear (5), borne (1), carried (1), carry (1), drags (1). ...
/hebrew/5445.htm - 6k

"Bought with a Price"
... exposing sin, does not trifle with it, but like a mighty hunter before the Lord,
pursues it with all his might; his hatred to it is intense; he drags it forth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/bought with a price.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... overwhelmed my head. Now has the cloud put off its alluring face, wherefore
without scruple my life drags out its wearying delays. Why, O ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
... The professor must perform his duty. He drags painfully about it, and you will hear
him naturally sing backslider's hymns: Reason I hear, her counsels weigh,. ...
/.../finney/the backslider in heart/iii what are evidences of.htm

The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler
... Which long has followed, whispering through the dark. Strange terrors, drags it,
shrieking, into light: "What if God's will consign thee hence to Hell?". ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/title page.htm

Beasts Similarly Subject to the Law of Mutation.
... Dull and weary, he scarce raises from the ground, but drags, his footstep amazedly,
and moves forward,"he rather demonstrates, than takes, a step: ever ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iii beasts similarly subject to.htm

The Poets Also Bear Testimony to the Truth.
... declaring:". "If a man drags the Deity. Whither he will by the sound of
cymbals,. He that does this is greater than the Deity; But ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter vii the poets also bear.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... her punctilious observance of ceremonial propriety while she is trampling under
foot her holiest obligations; the fatal necessity which drags sin after sin ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

Relation viii. Addressed to F. Rodrigo Alvarez.
... senses it possesses; and thus the soul, withdrawing into itself, seeks to go away
from the tumult of its outward senses, and accordingly it drags them away ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/relation viii addressed to f.htm

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... But if thou indifferently admit the thought of lust, it strikes root in thee by
its suggestions, and enthrals thy mind, and drags thee down into a pit of evils ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

The Springing Fountain
... from without. Its 'silvery column' rises ever heavenward, though gravitation
is too strong for it, and drags it back again. So Christ ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the springing fountain.htm

Drags (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drags (5 Occurrences). Job 7:4 When I lie down,
I say,'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss ...
/d/drags.htm - 7k

Drain (11 Occurrences)

/d/drain.htm - 10k

Dragon-well (1 Occurrence)
Dragon-well. Dragon's, Dragon-well. Drags . Multi-Version Concordance
Dragon-well (1 Occurrence). ... (WBS). Dragon's, Dragon-well. Drags . Reference
/d/dragon-well.htm - 6k

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