Snare

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Παγίς (Strong'S #3803 — Noun Feminine — pagis — pag-ece' )

"a trap, a snare" (akin to pegnumi, "to fix," and pagideuo, "to ensnare," which see), is used metaphorically of (a) the allurements to evil by which the Devil "ensnares" one,  1—Timothy 3:7;  2—Timothy 2:26; (b) seductions to evil, which "ensnare" those who "desire to be rich,"  1—Timothy 6:9; (c) the evil brought by Israel upon themselves by which the special privileges Divinely granted them and centering in Christ, became a "snare" to them, their rejection of Christ and the Gospel being the retributive effect of their apostasy,  Romans 11:9; (d) of the sudden judgments of God to come upon those whose hearts are "overcharged with sufeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,"  Luke 21:35 (ver. 34 in RV).

2: Βρόχος (Strong'S #1029 — Noun Masculine — brochos — brokh'-os )

"a noose, slipknot, halter," is used metaphorically in  1—Corinthians 7:35 , "a snare" (RV, marg., "constraint," "noose"). In the Sept.,  Proverbs 6:5;  7:21;  22:25 .

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

Usually this word is used instead of trap. It refers to a device for catching, holding and securing another.

 Exodus 34:12 (a) The nations of Canaan had ways of pleasure and sin that would attract the Israelites and soon Israel would be caught in that trap and begin to live as the natives live. The Lord warned them against this path. (See also this same truth in1Sa  18:21;  Psalm 91:3;  Psalm 119:110;  Proverbs 7:23).

 Judges 8:27 (a) This is symbolical of the evil effect of idolatrous worship on the people of Israel. The ephod was a monument to their victory, but they changed it into an idol.

 1 Samuel 28:9 (a) The witch thought that these strange men were trying to catch her in a trap so they could have her killed by Saul. She did not know that Saul himself was seeking her help.

 2 Samuel 22:6 (b) The plans and schemes of evil men to destroy David are called a snare.

 Psalm 69:22 (a) The Lord Jesus is speaking here and asking His Father to change the plans of the enemies in such a way that their evil deeds against Him would be the very evidence that would curse them. The enemies of Christ were planning with great delight to get rid of Him, and their pleasure is compared to a banquet. Certainly their evil plans of that day and night turned to their curse and damnation. They were caught in their own Satanic devices.

 Proverbs 13:14 (b) Satan has many tricks by which men are deceived and led into paths that end in hell.

 1 Corinthians 7:35 (a) Paul was not using deceitful words to mislead GOD's people into a path which he knew would bring sorrow to their hearts. He was open and above board with his statement, for he had only the blessing of GOD's people in mind.

 1 Timothy 3:7 (a) Satan is always making plans and schemes to destroy GOD's people and especially the leaders of GOD's people. These devices of the Devil are compared to snares and traps of Satan. (See2Ti  2:26).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Several words are employed to point out the snares or pits by which animals are caught. They are also used symbolically for the snares men lay for one another, and especially for those that Satan lays to entrap man into his power. Snares to be effectual must be hidden. It is in vain to set a net in the sight of any bird,  Proverbs 1:17; in like manner the hook in fishing is always concealed. The baits that Satan uses are things that men like, and which may not always be moral evils in themselves, as riches, honour, etc., but which may end in the loss of the soul.  1 Timothy 3:7;  1 Timothy 6:9;  2 Timothy 2:26 . "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."  Proverbs 14:27 . Nehemiah, led of God, wisely avoided all the snares that were laid for him by the enemy.  Nehemiah 6 . So the Christian, taught of God, and led by the Holy Spirit, will not be ignorant of Satan's devices, and will not fall thereby.

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Snare ( παγίς, βρόχος).—παγίς ( Luke 21:31,  Romans 11:9, etc.) is primarily a trap, then a trick or snare. βρόχος ( 1 Corinthians 7:35) is a noose or slip-knot for hanging or strangling, then a snare for birds, or the mesh of a net. We can hardly take παγίς in  Luke 21:35, with Godet (Com. in loc ), as a net enclosing a flock of unsuspecting birds. The idea in both words is simply that of taking unawares, as the bird in the fowler’s trap—the fakhkh , in the use of which Arab boys are so expert—or the hare in the noose cunningly spread in its path.

W. Ewing.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin.

(2): ( v. t.) To catch with a snare; to insnare; to entangle; hence, to bring into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger.

(3): ( n.) The gut or string stretched across the lower head of a drum.

(4): ( n.) Hence, anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble.

(5): ( n.) An instrument, consisting usually of a wireloop or noose, for removing tumors, etc., by avulsion.

King James Dictionary

SNARE, n.

1. An instrument for catching animals, particularly fowls, by the leg. It consists of a cord or string with slip-knots, in which the leg is entangled. A snare is not a net. 2. Any thing by which one is entangled and brought into troble.  1 Corinthians 7 . A fool's lip are the snare of his soul.  Proverbs 18 .

SNARE, To catch with a snare to ensnare to entangle to bring into unexpected evil, perplexity or danger. The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.  Psalms 9 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Job 22:10 Psalm 18:5 1 Samuel 28:9Fowler

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Amos 3:5Gin

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

snâr ( פּח , paḥ  ; παγίς , pagı́s , but βρόχος , bróchos , in   1 Corinthians 7:35 ): Over half a dozen Hebrew words are used to indicate different methods of taking birds and animals, of which the snare (פּח , paḥ ) is mentioned oftener than any other. It was a noose of hair for small birds, of wire for larger birds or smaller animals. The snares were set in a favorable location and grain scattered to attract the attention of feathered creatures. They accepted the bribe of good feeding and walked into the snare, not suspecting danger. For this reason the snare became particularly applicable in describing a tempting bribe offered by men to lead their fellows into trouble, and the list of references is a long one, all of the same nature. See  Exodus 10:7;  1 Samuel 18:21;  1 Samuel 28:9;  Psalm 11:6;  Psalm 18:5 , "snares of death"; used symbolically of anything that may kill:  Psalm 91:3;  Psalm 124:7;  Psalm 140:5;  Psalm 141:9;  Proverbs 7:23;  Proverbs 13:14;  Proverbs 18:7;  Proverbs 20:25;  Proverbs 22:25;  Proverbs 29:25;  Ecclesiastes 9:12 . 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; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore" ( Isaiah 41:22 ). Here it is specified that the snare was in a hole so covered as to conceal it.  Jeremiah 18:22 clearly indicates that the digging of a pit to take prey was customary, and also the hiding of the snare for the feet. North American Indians in setting a snare usually figure on catching the bird around the neck.   Jeremiah 50:24 , "I have laid a snare for thee";  Hosea 9:8 , "A fowler's snare is in all his ways";  Amos 3:5 seems to indicate that the snare was set for the feet;   Luke 21:34 , "But take heed to yourselves, lest haply ... that day come on you suddenly as a snare";  Romans 11:9 , "Let their table be made a snare, and a trap";  1 Corinthians 7:35 , "not that I may cast a snare upon you";  1 Timothy 3:7 , "the snare of the devil"; also  1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition." See Gin; Net; Trap .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(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 ( Isaiah 8:14; Amos 3, 5); also such a one as seizes and holds beasts or men by the foot ( Job 18:9;  Jeremiah 18:22). They were set in the path or hidden in the ground ( Proverbs 7:23;  Proverbs 22:5;  Psalms 140:5;  Psalms 119:110;  Jeremiah 18:22). The form of this spring or trap net appears from the original word Pach ( Amos 3:5;  Psalms 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  Psalms 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 ( Joshua 23:13;  Hosea 5:1;  Job 22:10). Thus is usually rendered  Psalms 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" ( 2 Samuel 22:6;  Psalms 18:5) are poetically put in apposition with the Cords (A.V. improperly "sorrows") of Sheol. SEE NET.