English · KJV
H5367

נָקַשׁ

nâqash /naw-kash'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively
KJV usagecatch (lay a) snare.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâqash — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâqash, represented by H5367, is a primitive root meaning to entrap (with a noose), either literally or figuratively. It is defined as to catch or lay a snare. This term appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible, consistently illustrating the concept of being caught in a trap.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5367 is used to describe various forms of entrapment. It portrays a principle of divine justice, where the wicked H7563 is snared in the work of his own hands Psalms 9:16. It is also used to depict the malicious actions of enemies, who lay snares for the psalmist's very life H5315 Psalms 38:12. The term serves as a spiritual warning to Israel to "Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following" the ways of other nations after they are destroyed Deuteronomy 12:30. In a direct confrontation, the woman of Endor accuses Saul of laying a snare for her life 1 Samuel 28:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to clarify the context and intent behind the act of snaring:

  • H1245 bâqash (to seek for): This word highlights the active pursuit of those who set traps. It is used for those who seek after the psalmist's life to lay snares for him Psalms 38:12.
  • H1942 havvâh (mischievous thing): This term describes the destructive nature of the plots. Those who lay snares speak H1696 these mischievous things, revealing the ruin and calamity they intend Psalms 38:12.
  • H4820 mirmâh (deceit): This word defines the method used in snaring. Those setting a trap imagine H1897 deceits all day long, indicating that the snare is based on fraud and guile Psalms 38:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5367 is significant, illustrating key principles of justice and spiritual danger.

  • Retributive Justice: The concept is used to show that wickedness is self-destructive. In God's judgment H4941, the wicked are ultimately snared by the consequences of their own actions Psalms 9:16.
  • Spiritual Entrapment: The warning not to be snared by the customs of foreign peoples and their gods H430 extends the meaning from a physical trap to a spiritual one that leads to destruction Deuteronomy 12:30.
  • Human Malice: The act of laying a snare is frequently tied to the deliberate intent of one person to bring ruin upon another, whether through a direct plot against their life H5315 or by an extortioner H5383 seeking to catch all that they have (1 Samuel 28:9, Psalms 109:11).

Summary

In summary, H5367 is a potent term for entrapment that functions on both a literal and a figurative level. It is used to describe the malicious plots of enemies, the spiritual dangers of idolatry, and the inevitable outcome of divine justice where the wicked are caught in their own devices. The word nâqash serves as a vivid illustration of the snares that can be set by humans and the ultimate snare that awaits those who oppose God's righteous judgment.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מִתְנַקֵּשׁ
  • תִּנָּקֵשׁ
  • יְנַקְשׁוּ
  • יְנַקֵּשׁ
  • נוֹקֵשׁ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H7563 רָשָׁע from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), tha H5315 נֶפֶשׁ from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accomm H1245 בָּקַשׁ a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask H1942 הַוָּה from הָוָא (in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon; by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin; calamity, H1696 דָבַר a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sen H4820 מִרְמָה from רָמָה in the sense of deceiving; fraud; craft, deceit(-ful, -fully), false, feigned, guile, subtilly, treachery.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (3 verses); never once in the other 36.

1
Deuteronomy
1
1 Samuel
3
Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.