from יָקֹשׁ; properly, entangling; hence, a snarer; fowler.
Transliteration:yâqôwsh
Pronunciation:yaw-koshe'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh, `{{H3352}}`) functions as a noun derived from the verb יָקֹשׁ (yaqosh, `{{H3369}}`), which fundamentally means "to lay a snare," "to bait a trap," or "to catch in a net." Consequently, יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) describes the agent of this action: a "snarer," "trapper," or, most commonly, a "fowler." The core meaning revolves around the act of deception and entrapment, implying a hidden, carefully laid plan designed to capture or harm. Its semantic range extends from the literal practice of hunting birds or animals with traps to powerful metaphorical applications concerning spiritual, moral, or existential dangers. The word evokes a sense of cunning, stealth, and predatory intent, highlighting the vulnerability of the unsuspecting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) appears in significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Psalms and Jeremiah, where it functions both literally and metaphorically to convey profound theological truths.
* **[[Psalm 91:3]]**: "For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence." Here, יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) is presented as a direct threat, an agent of peril from whom God's protective hand delivers the righteous. The "snare of the fowler" (מִפַּח יָקוֹשׁ) is a vivid image of a hidden, life-threatening trap, symbolizing any unforeseen danger, malicious plot, or enemy design. The context emphasizes divine care and the security found in trusting Yahweh. The fowler's intent is capture and destruction, but God's deliverance is absolute.
* **[[Jeremiah 5:26]]**: "For among my people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men." In this powerful indictment of Judah's moral corruption, the plural form of יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh, *y'qushim*) is used metaphorically. The prophet condemns the wicked within Israel who act like fowlers, but their prey is human. These individuals are characterized by their cunning and predatory behavior, exploiting and ensnaring their fellow citizens for personal gain. This usage highlights the social injustice and moral decay prevalent in society, where people become instruments of harm against their own kind, mirroring the stealth and malice of a literal fowler.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) is enhanced by examining its relationship with other Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **Root Verb:** The direct verbal root is יָקֹשׁ (yaqosh, `{{H3369}}`), meaning "to lay a snare" or "to bait a trap." This verb describes the *action* performed by the יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh), emphasizing the deliberate and often deceptive nature of the act.
* **Snare/Trap:** The instrument of the fowler is often denoted by terms such as פַּח (pach, `{{H6341}}`), meaning "snare" or "trap," as seen in "snare of the fowler" in [[Psalm 91:3]]. Other related terms include מוֹקֵשׁ (moqesh, `{{H4170}}`), also meaning "snare" or "trap," and רֶשֶׁת (reshet, `{{H7568}}`), a "net." These terms collectively describe the various means by which the יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) achieves capture.
* **Hunter:** While יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) specifies a method of hunting (trapping), the broader concept of a hunter is conveyed by terms like צַיִד (tsayid, `{{H6718}}`) or the verb צוּד (tsud, `{{H6679}}`).
* **Enemies/Adversaries:** In its metaphorical applications, the "fowler" often represents human enemies, wicked individuals, or even, by extension, spiritual adversaries who seek to entrap or destroy the righteous.
* **Deception and Treachery:** The very act of snaring implies cunning, hidden malice, and a lack of straightforwardness. Concepts of deceit (מִרְמָה, mirmah, `{{H4820}}`) and treachery are intrinsically linked to the actions of a יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) is multifaceted, revealing insights into divine protection, human depravity, and the nature of spiritual struggle.
* **Divine Deliverance and Protection:** In [[Psalm 91:3]], the "fowler" serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers from which God delivers His faithful. It underscores God's omnipotence and His unwavering protective care over those who dwell in His shelter. The image of the snare, representing overwhelming and hidden peril, highlights that God's power transcends all human or adversarial machinations, providing ultimate security. This passage offers profound comfort and assurance in the face of unseen threats.
* **Condemnation of Human Wickedness:** The application of the "fowler" imagery to wicked individuals in [[Jeremiah 5:26]] is a stark indictment of moral depravity. It reveals how sin can manifest as predatory behavior, where individuals exploit and ensnare others for selfish gain, leading to social breakdown and divine judgment. This usage underscores God's profound concern for justice and His condemnation of those who prey on the vulnerable, emphasizing that such actions are an affront to His righteous character.
* **Spiritual Vigilance:** While not explicitly demonic in the Old Testament usage of `{{H3352}}`, the concept of a "snarer" resonates deeply with the New Testament understanding of spiritual warfare. The imagery of being caught in a trap serves as a potent reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance against the "snares of the devil" (cf. [[2 Timothy 2:26]]), who seeks to deceive and entrap believers in sin or error. The יָקוֹשׁ thus prefigures the spiritual adversaries that seek to undermine faith and integrity.
* **Divine Justice:** Implicitly, the concept of the "fowler" also points to divine justice. Just as the wicked ensnare others, God, in His sovereignty, can "lay a snare" for the wicked, catching them in their own devices or bringing judgment upon them, ensuring that justice ultimately prevails.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh, `{{H3352}}`) fundamentally denotes a "fowler" or "snarer," an agent who lays traps with cunning and deceptive intent. Derived from the verb יָקֹשׁ (yaqosh, `{{H3369}}`), it vividly encapsulates the act of entangling and capturing. Biblically, it functions as both a literal image of a hunter and, more significantly, as a potent metaphor. In [[Psalm 91:3]], it represents the hidden dangers and malicious plots from which God delivers His people, underscoring divine protection and faithfulness. Conversely, in [[Jeremiah 5:26]], it indicts the wicked within Israel who operate like fowlers, preying on their own countrymen through deceit and injustice, highlighting the severity of moral corruption and social injustice. Theologically, יָקוֹשׁ (yâqôwsh) speaks to God's deliverer nature, His condemnation of human depravity, and the broader call for spiritual vigilance against entrapment. The יָקוֹשׁ thus stands as a powerful biblical emblem of both peril and the divine power that ultimately overcomes it.
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