English · KJV
H6983

קוֹשׁ

qôwsh /koshe/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto bend; used only as denominative for יָקֹשׁ,; to set a trap
KJV usagelay a snare.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of qôwsh — 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 qôwsh, represented by H6983, is a primitive root meaning to bend, but is used in Scripture specifically in the sense of setting a trap or laying a snare. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, making its single usage particularly significant.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H6983 is in the book of Isaiah, where it describes those who "lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate" Isaiah 29:21. This context portrays a deliberate and malicious act of entrapment, targeting an individual who is delivering a rebuke or judgment in a public and official space. The action is part of a larger indictment against those who twist justice and persecute the righteous.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in its only context clarify the meaning of laying a snare:

  • H3198 yâkach (to reprove): This word identifies the target of the snare—the one who argues, convicts, or reproves. The snare is set specifically for the person attempting to correct wrongdoing Isaiah 29:21.
  • H8179 shaʻar (gate): The action takes place in the gate, which was the center for legal and civic judgments. This shows the snare is a perversion of a public, official process Isaiah 29:21.
  • H6662 tsaddîyq (just): The ultimate victim of this scheming is the just or righteous man. The verse links the act of laying a snare to the broader goal of turning aside the righteous from their standing Isaiah 29:21.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6983 is concentrated in its singular, vivid depiction of injustice.

  • Perversion of Justice: To lay a snare H6983 in the gate H8179 is to corrupt the very place where justice should be administered. It represents a deliberate scheme to subvert righteous judgment.
  • Hostility Towards Rebuke: The trap is set for the one who reproveth H3198. This highlights a theological principle of humanity's opposition to divine correction and those who speak truth, as seen when the LORD reasons with His people Isaiah 1:18.
  • Targeting the Righteous: The verse culminates by stating the objective is to "turn aside the just" H6662. The act of laying a snare is a tool used by the wicked to undermine and harm those who are righteous, a recurring theme where the wicked flee but the righteous are bold Proverbs 28:1.

Summary

In summary, H6983 is a highly specific term that, despite its rarity, provides a powerful illustration of calculated evil. It moves beyond a simple physical trap to symbolize the act of maliciously plotting against those who uphold truth and justice. Its use in Isaiah 29:21 encapsulates the perversion of legal and social order to ensnare the innocent and turn aside the righteous for worthless reasons.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • יְקֹשׁוּ

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.

H3198 יָכַח a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict; appoint, H8179 שַׁעַר from שָׁעַר in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate; city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). H6662 צַדִּיק from צָדַק; just; just, lawful, righteous (man).

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

1 verse, all in Isaiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.