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מוֹקֵשׁ

𐤌𐤅𐤒𐤔

môwqêsh

H4170 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יקשׁ to trap, to ensnare, to lay a snare

Definition

A device or means for catching, trapping, or ensnaring, usually applied literally to animal traps such as snares or nooses, but also frequently used figuratively for anything that ensnares, entraps, or imperils (e.g. a cause of downfall, a source of danger, or a means of deception). In figurative contexts, refers to circumstances, people, or objects that entrap or cause one to stumble.

Semantic Range

snare, trap, noose, gin, hook (for the nose), means of entrapment, cause of downfall, source of danger, figurative pitfall

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root יקש (y-q-sh), meaning 'to trap, ensnare, lay a snare.' The noun מוֹקֵשׁ is a formation from this root, denoting that which ensnares. The root itself is associated with the act of setting traps, both for hunting and metaphorically for laying ambush.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מוֹקֵשׁ occurs in both literal and figurative senses throughout the Hebrew Bible. In literal contexts, it refers to physical devices used in hunting or capturing animals (e.g., Deut 7:16, Isa 8:14-15). However, its most frequent usage is metaphorical—depicting sources of danger, moral pitfalls, or enemy plots (Psalm 106:36; Proverbs 29:6). It is sometimes paralleled with other trap terms such as פַּח (pach, 'snare') but can imply a subtler or less obvious danger. The term can describe objects (idols, persons) or situations (alliances, temptations) that threaten to entangle the unwary. Later Jewish and English translations sometimes render the word as 'trap' or 'snare,' but these may miss nuances of enticement, hidden threat, or personal agency. The sense of 'hook (for the nose)' occurs in contexts of subjugation or humiliation (e.g., 2 Kings 19:28), likely formed by extension from the idea of leading animals with a snare. Over time, the word maintained its dangerous or threatening connotations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מֹקֵשׁ; from יָקֹשׁ; a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose); be ensnared, gin, (is) snare(-d), trap.

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Root Family

יקשׁ (y-q-sh) — to trap, ensnare, lay a snare

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4170-02 לְ/מוֹקֵ֔שׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa a snare to a snare 8
H4170-04 מוֹקֵ֥שׁ moqesh HNcmsa a snare snare 7
H4170-03 מִ/מֹּ֥קְשֵׁי mimoqeshey HR/Ncmpc from the snares from snares of 3
H4170-07 וּ/לְ/מוֹקֵ֗שׁ ulemoqesh HC/R/Ncmsa and-for-a-snare and for a snare 2
H4170-05 מֹֽקְשֵׁי moqeshey HNcmpc snares of snares of 2
H4170-06 מוֹקְשִׁ֑ים moqeshim HNcmpa snares snares 2
H4170-09 וּ֝/מֹקְשׁ֗וֹת umoqeshot HC/Ncmpc and the snares and snares of 1
H4170-01 בְּ֝/מֽוֹקְשִׁ֗ים bemoqeshim HR/Ncmpa with snares in snares 1
H4170-08 וּ/מוֹקֵ֖שׁ umoqesh HC/Ncmsa or bait and a snare 1

Occurrences in Scripture

27 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4170-02 Exodus 10:7 לְ/מוֹקֵ֔שׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa a snare to a snare
H4170-02 Exodus 23:33 לְ/מוֹקֵֽשׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa a-snare to a snare
H4170-02 Exodus 34:12 לְ/מוֹקֵ֖שׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa a snare to a snare
H4170-04 Deuteronomy 7:16 מוֹקֵ֥שׁ moqesh HNcmsa a snare snare
H4170-07 Joshua 23:13 וּ/לְ/מוֹקֵ֗שׁ ulemoqesh HC/R/Ncmsa and-for-traps and for a snare
H4170-02 Judges 2:3 לְ/מוֹקֵֽשׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa for a snare to a snare
H4170-02 Judges 8:27 לְ/מוֹקֵֽשׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa a snare to a snare
H4170-02 1 Samuel 18:21 לְ/מוֹקֵ֔שׁ lemoqesh HR/Ncmsa a snare to a snare
H4170-05 2 Samuel 22:6 מֹֽקְשֵׁי moqeshey HNcmpc snares of snares of
H4170-07 Isaiah 8:14 וּ/לְ/מוֹקֵ֔שׁ ulemoqesh HC/R/Ncmsa and-for-a-snare and for a snare
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