passive participle of יָקֹשׁ; properly, entangled, i.e. by implication (intransitively) a snare, or (transitive) a snarer; fowler, snare.
Transliteration:yâqûwsh
Pronunciation:yaw-koosh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) is a passive participle derived from the verb יָקֹשׁ (yāqōš, `{{H3369}}`), meaning "to lay a snare, to bait a trap, to catch in a net." As a passive participle, yâqûwsh encompasses a nuanced semantic range, signifying both the *agent* of entrapment and the *instrument* of entrapment. Properly, it denotes "one who is entangled" or "that which entangles."
Specifically, its primary meanings include:
1. **Fowler/Snarer:** Referring to the one who sets traps, a hunter of birds or animals. This highlights the deliberate and often cunning nature of entrapment.
2. **Snare/Trap:** Referring to the device itself—the net, noose, or pit designed to capture. This emphasizes the sudden, often unseen danger that leads to capture.
This dual meaning allows for rich metaphorical application in the biblical text, extending beyond literal hunting to describe spiritual, moral, and adversarial forms of entrapment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) appears in several significant contexts, often metaphorically, to describe danger, deception, and divine protection.
* **As "Fowler" (the agent):**
* In [[Psalm 91:3]], the psalmist declares, "Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence." Here, the "fowler" represents an unseen enemy or a source of insidious danger, perhaps spiritual adversaries or human conspirators, who cunningly devise means to entrap the righteous. God is presented as the ultimate deliverer from such hidden threats.
* [[Jeremiah 5:26]] states, "Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait like fowlers setting their snares; they set a trap to catch people." This passage vividly portrays the corrupt leaders and wealthy individuals in Judah as predatory "fowlers," using deceit and oppression to exploit the vulnerable, particularly the poor. Their actions are deliberate, calculated, and destructive.
* [[Hosea 9:8]] speaks of "the prophet, a fowler's snare on all his ways," indicating that even those meant to guide the people have become a source of spiritual entrapment, leading Israel astray through false prophecy and idolatry. The prophet, instead of being a watchman, is himself a snare.
* **As "Snare" (the instrument):**
* Though less frequently used directly as the *instrument* "snare" (as opposed to the agent "fowler" setting the snare), the concept is intrinsically linked. The "fowler's snare" in [[Psalm 91:3]] inherently refers to the trap itself. This highlights the unexpected and often inescapable nature of the danger once one is caught.
Across these contexts, יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) consistently evokes a sense of hidden danger, cunning malice, and the dire consequences of falling prey to such traps. The imagery is potent, conveying vulnerability and the need for divine intervention or discernment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) is rich with terms related to trapping and danger, often used interchangeably or in parallel to amplify the imagery of entrapment.
* **Root Verb:** The foundational verb יָקֹשׁ (yāqōš, `{{H3369}}`), meaning "to lay a snare, to trap," provides the active sense from which yâqûwsh derives its meaning.
* **Other Words for "Snare/Trap":**
* מֹקֵשׁ (môqēš, `{{H4170}}`): A common word for "snare" or "trap," often used for a literal trap or a moral/spiritual pitfall (e.g., [[Proverbs 29:6]]).
* פַּח (pakh, `{{H6341}}`): "Bird-trap," "snare," often implying a sudden, unseen trap (e.g., [[Psalm 141:9]]).
* רֶשֶׁת (rešet, `{{H7568}}`): "Net," specifically a hunting or fishing net (e.g., [[Hosea 7:12]]).
* חֶבֶל (ḥebel, `{{H2256}}`): "Rope" or "cord," sometimes used metaphorically for snares or entanglements (e.g., [[Psalm 119:61]]).
* **Concepts:**
* **Deception:** The act of misleading or tricking someone into a trap.
* **Vulnerability:** The state of being susceptible to harm or entrapment.
* **Cunning/Malice:** The deliberate and often evil intent behind setting a snare.
* **Deliverance/Salvation:** The act of being freed from a trap, often by divine intervention.
These related terms and concepts collectively paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced by humanity, both from external adversaries and from internal moral failings.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) lies primarily in its portrayal of the spiritual battle and God's sovereign protection.
1. **Divine Protection:** The most prominent theological use is found in [[Psalm 91:3]], where God is depicted as the ultimate deliverer "from the fowler's snare." This verse assures the believer of God's vigilant care, His ability to discern and dismantle the hidden plots of the enemy, and His faithfulness in preserving the lives of His devoted followers. It underscores a theology of divine providence and security in the face of unseen dangers.
2. **The Nature of Evil:** The "fowler" imagery in passages like [[Jeremiah 5:26]] reveals the insidious and predatory nature of human evil and sin. It highlights how the wicked, driven by greed or malice, deliberately scheme to exploit and destroy others. This serves as a warning against both becoming a "fowler" and falling prey to one.
3. **Sin as a Snare:** While יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) itself doesn't directly describe sin as a snare, the broader concept of "snare" (môqēš, `{{H4170}}`) frequently does (e.g., [[Proverbs 29:6]]). The "fowler" can be seen as representing temptation or the devil, who seeks to ensnare individuals through sin, leading to spiritual death or separation from God.
4. **Consequences of Apostasy:** In [[Hosea 9:8]], the prophet as a "fowler's snare" illustrates the tragic consequence of spiritual leadership gone astray. When those meant to guide become agents of deception, the entire community is endangered, falling into the trap of idolatry and unfaithfulness. This emphasizes the gravity of spiritual responsibility and the dangers of false teaching.
5. **Justice and Retribution:** Implicit in the "snare" motif is the principle of divine justice, where the wicked often fall into the very traps they set for others (e.g., [[Psalm 7:15]]). God's justice ensures that those who act as "fowlers" will ultimately face the consequences of their malicious schemes.
### Summary
The Hebrew term יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`), derived from the verb יָקֹשׁ (yāqōš, `{{H3369}}`), is a potent word carrying the dual meaning of "fowler" (the one who sets a trap) and "snare" (the trap itself). This duality allows for rich metaphorical application in the biblical text, extending beyond literal hunting to encompass spiritual, moral, and adversarial forms of entrapment.
Contextual analysis reveals its use in depicting cunning enemies, both human and spiritual, who seek to ensnare the righteous through deceit and malice, as seen in [[Psalm 91:3]] and [[Jeremiah 5:26]]. The imagery of the "fowler's snare" vividly portrays hidden dangers and the vulnerability of humanity. Theologically, יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, `{{H3353}}`) underscores God's steadfast protection and deliverance from the plots of adversaries, serving as a cornerstone for trust in divine providence. It also highlights the insidious nature of evil and sin, which act as spiritual snares, and implicitly warns against both becoming a purveyor of deceit and succumbing to its entanglements.
TRV