### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **châṭaph**, represented by `{{H2414}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to clutch; hence, to seize as a prisoner; catch**. It is a rare term, appearing only **3 times** across **2 unique verses**, yet it conveys a specific and forceful action of sudden capture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The biblical usage of `{{H2414}}` appears in two distinct and dramatic contexts. In Psalms, it describes the predatory actions of the wicked, who lie in wait "to **catch** the poor" and succeed when "he doth **catch** the poor" by drawing them into a net [[Psalms 10:9]]. In the book of Judges, it is used as a command to the men of Benjamin, who are instructed to hide and then "**catch** you every man his wife" from among the dancing daughters of Shiloh [[Judges 21:21]]. In both instances, the word signifies a swift, forceful seizure of a person.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help frame the context in which this act of seizing occurs:
* `{{H693}}` **ʼârab** (to lurk): This word describes the hidden, predatory preparation before the act of catching. In [[Psalms 10:9]], the wicked man "lieth in wait" (`{{H693}}`) before he can catch (`{{H2414}}`) his victim, highlighting the malicious intent.
* `{{H4900}}` **mâshak** (to draw): This term often describes the action that completes the capture. After the poor is caught in [[Psalms 10:9]], he is then drawn (`{{H4900}}`) into a net. It can also be used in a positive sense, as when God says, "with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" [[Jeremiah 31:3]].
* `{{H3318}}` **yâtsâʼ** (to go out): This word sets the stage for the seizure in [[Judges 21:21]], where the daughters of Shiloh "come out" (`{{H3318}}`) to dance, making themselves visible and vulnerable to being caught.
* `{{H7200}}` **râʼâh** (to see): Perception is crucial to the act of catching. The men of Benjamin are told to "**see**, and, behold," before they emerge to catch their wives [[Judges 21:21]], and the psalmist notes how the wicked look upon the poor before acting.
### Theological Significance
The meaning of `{{H2414}}` is concentrated on the nature of forceful acquisition and predation.
* **Predatory Oppression:** The word is used metaphorically in [[Psalms 10:9]] to characterize the wicked's treatment of the helpless. The act of "catching" is not merely a crime but a depiction of a hunter-prey dynamic, emphasizing the vulnerability of the poor and the deliberate cruelty of the powerful.
* **Sudden Seizure:** In both of its contexts, `{{H2414}}` denotes an abrupt, non-consensual act. It is an ambush, whether against the poor man in the psalm or the daughters of Shiloh. The word leaves no room for negotiation or process, describing a raw act of taking by force.
* **Desperate Measures:** The context of [[Judges 21:21]] shows the word being used to execute a desperate plan. The command to "catch" wives is an extreme solution to ensure the survival of a tribe, illustrating how the term is associated with extraordinary and socially disruptive actions.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2414}}` is a highly specific term for a forceful and sudden capture. While appearing infrequently, it vividly portrays acts of predation and seizure. Whether describing the wicked entrapping the poor or a tribe seizing wives out of desperation, **châṭaph** consistently communicates an aggressive and sudden act of clutching a person against their will, making it a powerful word for illustrating oppression and forceful acquisition.
TRV