יָקֹשׁ
𐤉𐤒𐤔
yâqôsh
H3369 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lay a snare, entrap, or ensnare; primarily used in the sense of setting traps for birds or animals, but also extended metaphorically to describe causing someone to fall into danger, temptation, or ruin through cunning or deceit. This verb is frequently found in texts describing hostile actions, especially the secret entrapment of adversaries, whether human or animal.
Semantic Range
to set a snare, to entrap or catch animals (fowler's work), to ensnare or trap a person through stratagem, to cause someone to fall into danger or trouble, to set or lay figurative snares (plots or temptations)
Root / Etymology
From the root יקש, which denotes the act of setting or laying a snare or trap. The root conveys the core idea of catching, ensnaring, or bringing into danger, typically by means of deception or concealment. From this root derive various noun forms for snare (מִקּוֹשׁ), ensnarer (יָקוּשׁ), and other derivatives with related meanings.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָקֹשׁ is predominantly found in poetic and wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Proverbs), often referring to the schemes of the wicked who set figurative traps for the righteous. In earlier Israelite contexts, the term would have carried literal significance for hunting and survival, but over time took on pronounced metaphorical use to describe interpersonal danger or entrapment, spiritual snares, or dangers presented by hostile groups. It is often paralleled or contrasted with other terms for traps (e.g., פַּח, רֶשֶׁת), each with slightly different connotations (net, pit, snare). Standard English translations such as "ensnare" and "trap" generally capture the main semantic field, but may flatten distinctions between the Hebrew terms for types of traps. The root is not limited to physical hunting but includes psychological and ethical dimensions in many biblical usages. In post-exilic and Wisdom literature, metaphorical use dominates.
Translation Consistency
"Trap" is a simple, natural English verb that covers both the literal sense (setting snares or catching animals) and the common figurative sense (ensnaring or entrapping a person by stratagem). It is more idiomatic and widely used than formal alternatives like "ensnare" or "entrap," making it the best consistent base verb for the range of uses in the SILEX definition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to ensnare (literally or figuratively); fowler (lay a) snare.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יקש (y-q-sh) — to ensnare, to trap, to lay a snare
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3369-03 |
וְ/נוֹקְשׁ֖וּ | venoqeshu | HC/VNq3cp |
and snared | and they were ensnared | and they were trapped | 2 |
H3369-04 |
יָ֣קְשׁוּ | yaqeshu | HVqp3cp |
they have set | they ensnared | they have set | 1 |
H3369-05 |
יָקֹ֨שְׁתִּי | yaqosheti | HVqp1cs |
I laid a snare | I laid a snare | I laid a snare | 1 |
H3369-01 |
נוֹקַ֥שְׁתָּ | noqasheta | HVNp2ms |
you have been snared | you were ensnared | you have been snared | 1 |
H3369-06 |
י֫וֹקְשִׁ֥ים | yoqeshim | HVqrmpa |
of the fowlers | snare-layers | of the fowlers | 1 |
H3369-02 |
תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ | tivaqesh | HVNi2ms |
you be snared | you will be ensnared | you be snared | 1 |
H3369-07 |
יֽוּקָשִׁים֙ | yuqashim | HVPsmpa |
are snared | ensnared ones | are snared | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3369-02 |
Deuteronomy 7:25 | תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ | tivaqesh | HVNi2ms |
you be snared | you will be ensnared | you be snared |
H3369-03 |
Isaiah 8:15 | וְ/נוֹקְשׁ֖וּ | venoqeshu | HC/VNq3cp |
and they were snared | and they were ensnared | and they were trapped |
H3369-03 |
Isaiah 28:13 | וְ/נוֹקְשׁ֖וּ | venoqeshu | HC/VNq3cp |
and snared | and they were ensnared | and they will be ensnared |
H3369-05 |
Jeremiah 50:24 | יָקֹ֨שְׁתִּי | yaqosheti | HVqp1cs |
I laid a snare | I laid a snare | I laid a snare |
H3369-06 |
Psalms 124:7 | י֫וֹקְשִׁ֥ים | yoqeshim | HVqrmpa |
of the fowlers | snare-layers | of the fowlers |
H3369-04 |
Psalms 141:9 | יָ֣קְשׁוּ | yaqeshu | HVqp3cp |
they have set | they ensnared | they have set |
H3369-01 |
Proverbs 6:2 | נוֹקַ֥שְׁתָּ | noqasheta | HVNp2ms |
you have been snared | you were ensnared | you have been snared |
H3369-07 |
Ecclesiastes 9:12 | יֽוּקָשִׁים֙ | yuqashim | HVPsmpa |
are snared | ensnared ones | are snared |