In biblical literature, the concept of being "snared" often symbolizes the entrapment of individuals by sin, temptation, or the deceitful schemes of the enemy. The imagery of a snare, a device used by hunters to catch animals, is employed throughout Scripture to illustrate the spiritual dangers that can ensnare the unwary believer.

Old Testament Usage

The Old Testament frequently uses the metaphor of a snare to describe the spiritual and moral traps that can lead people away from God. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist prays for deliverance from such snares: "Keep me from the trap they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers" (Psalm 141:9). Here, the snare represents the malicious intentions and schemes of the wicked.

Proverbs also warns against the dangers of being ensnared by sin and folly. Proverbs 29:6 states, "An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices" . This verse highlights the self-destructive nature of sin, which acts as a snare for those who indulge in it.

The concept of a snare is further expanded in the context of idolatry and false worship. In Exodus 23:33, God warns the Israelites about the inhabitants of the Promised Land: "They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you" . Here, the snare is the temptation to adopt pagan practices, which would lead the Israelites away from their covenant relationship with God.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the theme of being snared is often associated with the spiritual warfare faced by believers. The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral epistles, cautions against the snares of the devil. In 1 Timothy 3:7, he advises that a church leader "must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil" . This warning underscores the importance of maintaining a godly character to avoid falling into spiritual traps.

Paul further elaborates on this theme in 2 Timothy 2:26, where he speaks of those who have been ensnared by the devil: "Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will" . This passage emphasizes the need for repentance and spiritual awakening to break free from the enemy's hold.

Theological Implications

The concept of being snared serves as a powerful reminder of the vigilance required in the Christian life. Believers are called to be watchful and discerning, aware of the various ways in which they can be led astray. The Bible encourages reliance on God's wisdom and strength to avoid the snares of sin and temptation.

The imagery of a snare also highlights the subtlety and deception often involved in spiritual entrapment. Just as a physical snare is designed to be hidden and unsuspecting, spiritual snares can appear harmless or even appealing. This calls for a deep commitment to biblical truth and a life of prayer to discern and resist these dangers.

In summary, the biblical concept of being snared serves as a sobering warning against the spiritual and moral pitfalls that can lead believers away from their faith. Through vigilance, prayer, and reliance on God's guidance, Christians are equipped to recognize and avoid these snares, remaining steadfast in their walk with the Lord.(imp. & p. p.) of Snare.6351. pachach -- to ensnare
... be snared. A primitive root; to batter out; but used only as denominative from pach,
to spread a net -- be snared. see HEBREW pach. 6350, 6351. pachach. 6352 ...
/hebrew/6351.htm - 6k

3369. yaqosh -- to lay a bait or lure
... 3368, 3369. yaqosh. 3370 . to lay a bait or lure. Transliteration: yaqosh Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-koshe') Short Definition: snared. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3369.htm - 6k

4170. moqesh -- a bait or lure, a snare
... 1), ensnared (2), snare (12), snares (8), trap (4). be ensnared, gin, is
snared, trap. Or moqesh {mo-kashe'}; from yaqosh; a noose ...
/hebrew/4170.htm - 6k

5367. naqash -- to knock, strike, hit, strike or bring down
... root Definition to knock, strike, hit, strike or bring down NASB Word Usage ensnared
(1), lay snares (1), laying a snare (1), seize (1), snared (1). ...
/hebrew/5367.htm - 6k

How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
... other is terribly admonished, when it is said, My son, if thou be surety for thy
friend, thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, and art snared with the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iv how subjects and.htm

Concerning the Divine Oeconomy and God's Care Over Us, And
... Man, then, was thus snared by the assault of the arch-fiend, and broke his Creator's
command, and was stripped of grace and put off his confidence with God ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter i concerning the divine oeconomy.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little;
that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv isaiahs discourse.htm

Little Sins
... in themselves. Many souls, I doubt not, have been caught in this trap,
and being snared thereby, have been destroyed. They have ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/little sins.htm

A Lament
... Now the hare is snared and dead beside the snow-yard, And the lark beside the dreary
winter sea; And the baby in his cradle in the churchyard Sleeps sound till ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/a lament.htm

Ep. xxviii. In visiting the Mountain Cities which Border on ...
... cities which border on Pamphylia I fished up in the Mountains a sea Glaucus; I did
not drag the fish out of the depths with a net of flax, but I snared my game ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xxviii in visiting the.htm

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... yieldeth fruit.13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips:
but the just shall come out of trouble.14. A man shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

The Cords of Sin
... not now sustaining and attracting, but hampering and fettering, twine themselves
round the rebellious life, and the man is like a wild creature snared in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the cords of sin.htm

The Judgment of Drunkards and Mockers
... upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little;
that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the judgment of drunkards and.htm

Self-Knowledge.
... How long, how far on pilgrimage. To Zion have I feign'd to go,. Yet went astray
at every stage,. Snared or smit down by every foe! Now, a poor way-worn traveller ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn clxix self-knowledge.htm

Snared (11 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Snare. Multi-Version Concordance Snared (11 Occurrences). ... He has executed
judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. ...
/s/snared.htm - 10k

Snare (69 Occurrences)
... But this is a people robbed and plundered; they are all of them snared in holes,
and they are hid in prison-houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth ...
/s/snare.htm - 31k

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)
... glory. (YLT NAS RSV). Isaiah 8:15 And many among them have stumbled and
fallen, And been broken, and snared, and captured. (YLT). ...
/s/stumbled.htm - 19k

Snares (24 Occurrences)

/s/snares.htm - 12k

Stumble (89 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Isaiah 8:15 Many will stumble over it, fall, be broken, be snared,
and be captured." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/stumble.htm - 34k

Caught (110 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, Thou
art taken with the words of thy mouth. (See JPS NAS RSV). ...
/c/caught.htm - 35k

Graven (61 Occurrences)
... images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or
gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for ...
/g/graven.htm - 27k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... instance where a trap alone is referred to can be found in Jeremiah 5:26: "They
set a trap, they catch men." Isaiah 42:22 uses this expression, "snared in holes ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Trapped (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 42:22 And this 'is' a people seized and spoiled, Snared in holes -- all of
them, And in houses of restraint they were hidden, They have been for a prey ...
/t/trapped.htm - 9k

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)
... rather, "a noose" in such a rope; its application would then by figure suggest the
beauty (?) of her that bears it, by means of which men are snared or bound ...
/r/rebekah.htm - 21k

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