Snare

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, Pro 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. 1Ti 3:7; 1Ti 6:9; 2Ti 2:26. "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Pro 14:27. Nehemiah, led of God, wisely avoided all the snares that were laid for him by the enemy. Neh. 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.

SNARE (παγίς, βρόχος).—παγίς (Luk 21:31, Rom 11:9, etc.) is primarily a trap, then a trick or snare. βρόχος (1Co 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 Luk 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.

snâr (פּח, paḥ; παγίς, pagı́s, but βρόχος, bróchos, in 1Co 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 Exo 10:7; 1Sa 18:21; 1Sa 28:9; Psa 11:6; Psa 18:5, “snares of death”; used symbolically of anything that may kill: Psa 91:3; Psa 124:7; Psa 140:5; Psa 141:9; Pro 7:23; Pro 13:14; Pro 18:7; Pro 20:25; Pro 22:25; Pro 29:25; Ecc 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” (Isa 41:22). Here it is specified that the snare was in a hole so covered as to conceal it. Jer 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. Jer 50:24, “I have laid a snare for thee”; Hos 9:8, “A fowler’s snare is in all his ways”; Amo 3:5 seems to indicate that the snare was set for the feet; Luk 21:34, “But take heed to yourselves, lest haply ... that day come on you suddenly as a snare”; Rom 11:9, “Let their table be made a snare, and a trap”; 1Co 7:35, “not that I may cast a snare upon you”; 1Ti 3:7, “the snare of the devil”; also 1Ti 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.

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

Exo 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 in 1Sa 18:21; Psa 91:3; Psa 119:110; Pro 7:23).

Jdg 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.

1Sa 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.

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

Psa 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.

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

1Co 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.

1Ti 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. (See 2Ti 2:26).