נָקַשׁ
𐤍𐤒𐤔
nâqash
H5367 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lay or set a snare, to ensnare, or to entrap, primarily by means of a physical noose or trap, but also in a figurative sense to lure or entrap someone into danger or calamity. The word conveys intentionality, often with the implication of craftiness or hidden danger in the action. In figurative contexts, it can refer to leading someone into a moral or existential trap.
Semantic Range
to lay a snare, to entrap, to ensnare with a noose, to plot harm, to catch or lure by deception (fig.), to set a trap
Root / Etymology
Root: נקש (n-q-sh). The root's core meaning is 'to tie, bind, ensnare,' and the verb נָקַשׁ is a specialized development indicating the act of laying a noose or snare for catching an animal or enemy. This root is distinct from similar roots such as נקשׁ (n-q-sh, 'to strike a musical instrument'), which is unrelated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, נָקַשׁ most commonly refers to the setting of literal snares for animals (e.g., traps or cords), but also appears in metaphorical uses, such as setting a figurative trap for another person or nation (e.g., Psalms 141:9; Jeremiah 18:22). The verb is used almost exclusively with clear contextual cues indicating either physical trapping/hunting or the scheming and plotting of harm. In these metaphorical scenes, the word communicates not merely danger but the premeditated, often deceitful, actions of one party against another. The concept is distinct from other Hebrew terms for 'trap' (e.g., פַּח pach, 'bird trap'), which may have a broader range of uses. English translations like 'snare' or 'trap' capture the primary sense but do not always convey the active, agentive aspect inherent in the Hebrew verb. The word does not serve as a general term for any kind of danger or temptation but always indicates an intentional act to catch or harm. It is rare and does not shift significantly in meaning across biblical periods, but is more often found in poetic and prophetic literature.
Translation Consistency
"Trap" is a natural, versatile verb that covers the primary literal sense (laying a snare or noose) and the common figurative senses (ensnare, entrap, lure into danger). It is concise and idiomatic English, matching the typical usage and intentional/crafty nuance of the Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively; catch (lay a) snare.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
נקש (nâqash) — to tie, bind, ensnare
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5368 | נְקַשׁ | the striking ones |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5367-01 |
מִתְנַקֵּ֥שׁ | mitenaqesh | HVtrmsa |
are laying a snare | self-ensnaring one | are laying a snare | 1 |
H5367-02 |
נוֹקֵ֣שׁ | noqesh | HVqrmsa |
stumbles | one who ensnares | the one who ensnares | 1 |
H5367-03 |
תִּנָּקֵשׁ֙ | tinaqesh | HVNi2ms |
you be ensnared | you will be ensnared | you be ensnared | 1 |
H5367-04 |
וַ/יְנַקְשׁ֤וּ | vayenaqeshu | HC/Vpw3mp |
laid snares | and they ensnared | and they laid snares | 1 |
H5367-05 |
יְנַקֵּ֣שׁ | yenaqesh | HVpi3ms |
May the creditor seize | he will ensnare | may he ensnare | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5367-03 |
Deuteronomy 12:30 | תִּנָּקֵשׁ֙ | tinaqesh | HVNi2ms |
you be ensnared | you will be ensnared | you be ensnared |
H5367-01 |
1 Samuel 28:9 | מִתְנַקֵּ֥שׁ | mitenaqesh | HVtrmsa |
are laying a snare | self-ensnaring one | are laying a snare |
H5367-02 |
Psalms 9:17 | נוֹקֵ֣שׁ | noqesh | HVqrmsa |
stumbles | one who ensnares | the one who ensnares |
H5367-04 |
Psalms 38:13 | וַ/יְנַקְשׁ֤וּ | vayenaqeshu | HC/Vpw3mp |
laid snares | and they ensnared | and they laid snares |
H5367-05 |
Psalms 109:11 | יְנַקֵּ֣שׁ | yenaqesh | HVpi3ms |
May the creditor seize | he will ensnare | may he ensnare |