2340. théreuó
Lexical Summary
théreuó: To hunt, to catch, to pursue

Original Word: θηρεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: théreuó
Pronunciation: thay-ryoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (thay-ryoo'-o)
KJV: catch
NASB: catch
Word Origin: [from G2339 (θήρα - trap)]

1. to hunt (an animal)
2. (figuratively) to carp at

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
catch.

From thera; to hunt (an animal), i.e. (figuratively) to carp at -- catch.

see GREEK thera

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from théra
Definition
to hunt
NASB Translation
catch (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2340: θηρεύω

θηρεύω: 1 aorist infinitive θηρεῦσαί; (from θήρα, as ἀγρεύω from ἄγρα (cf. Schmidt, chapter 72, 3)); from Homer down; to go a hunting, to hunt, to catch in hunting; metaphorically, to lay wait for, strive to ensnare; to catch artfully: τί ἐκ στόματος τίνος, Luke 11:54.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 2340 (θηρεύω) conveys the act of hunting, stalking, or lying in wait in order to seize a quarry. The single New Testament occurrence (Luke 11:54) uses the verb figuratively to depict malicious scheming against Jesus Christ. Throughout Scripture, hunting imagery often reflects either predatory wickedness or purposeful pursuit; Luke’s usage belongs firmly to the former, exposing hardened opposition to the truth.

Biblical Usage

Luke 11:54 records the scribes and Pharisees “waiting to catch Him in something He might say”. The participle “waiting to catch” renders θηρεῦσαι, presenting the religious leaders as hunters who have chosen their prey and now conceal themselves until the decisive moment. The context follows Jesus’ denunciation of their hypocrisy (Luke 11:37-52); the leaders respond not with repentance but with calculated hostility, determined to ensnare Him through verbal traps.

Old Testament Background to Hunting as Metaphor

1 Samuel 26:20 portrays Saul’s relentless pursuit of David “as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.” Psalm 10:9 compares the wicked to a lion “in hiding,” while Psalm 140:5 and Psalm 142:3 speak of snares set for the righteous. Jeremiah 16:16 envisions future divine judgment executed by “many hunters.” Such passages form a backdrop for Luke’s metaphor, demonstrating a well-known biblical association between hunting and treacherous opposition.

Theological Reflection on Sinful Entrapment

1. Rejection of Revelation: Having heard unmistakable truth from Jesus, the leaders weaponize His words against Him. Their hunting posture epitomizes Romans 1:18—suppressing the truth in unrighteousness.
2. Perversion of Authority: Those tasked with guarding the Law now use legal technicalities to entrap its Author (cf. Matthew 22:15; Mark 12:13).
3. Moral Bankruptcy of Hypocrisy: Outward religiosity masks hearts willing to violate commandments against false witness and murder (Exodus 20:13-16) to preserve position and prestige.

Christological Significance

Hunted yet unassailable, Jesus continues His mission undeterred. Luke’s sentence foreshadows the mounting hostility that will culminate at the cross, where the “hunters” imagine victory even as God’s redemptive plan is fulfilled (Acts 2:23). The narrative turns the hunting image on its head: the Lamb who is hunted becomes the victorious Lion, triumphing over every scheme (Colossians 2:15).

Contrast with Righteous Pursuit

While θηρεύω depicts malicious capture, Jesus commissions disciples to “fish for people” (Matthew 4:19), a gracious pursuit motivated by love. The juxtaposition underscores the moral nature of pursuit: predatory exploitation versus redemptive rescue.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Expect Schemes: Faithful proclamation may provoke calculated opposition (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Guard Speech: Jesus’ hunters hoped to twist His words; believers must speak with grace and precision (Colossians 4:6).
• Maintain Integrity: Like Daniel, who was likewise “hunted” (Daniel 6), the righteous must offer no legitimate cause for accusation.
• Trust Divine Vindication: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17) assures ultimate deliverance even when adversaries lie in wait.

Warnings Against Participating in Predatory Schemes

Proverbs 1:11-19 warns against setting ambushes for the innocent; such paths “take away the life of their possessors.” Churches must guard against factional plotting, remembering that to persecute Christ’s body is to hunt the Lord Himself (Acts 9:4-5).

Eschatological Glimpse

Revelation 12:13 describes the dragon persecuting the woman, a cosmic amplification of the same hunting impulse. Luke 11:54 thus prefigures the broader conflict between the seed of the serpent and the Seed of the woman—a conflict resolved in the Lamb’s ultimate victory.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2340 portrays a determined effort to trap. Luke employs the verb to unveil the heart of Jesus’ opponents—men outwardly zealous for God yet inwardly intent on destruction. The passage challenges readers to reject hostile scheming, rest in Christ when hunted, and pursue others not as predators but as ambassadors of reconciling grace.

Forms and Transliterations
εθηρεύθη εθήρευσαν εθήρευσάν εθηρεύσαντο θηρευόμενα θηρευόμενοι θηρεύοντες θηρευόντων θηρευσαι θηρεύσαι θηρεύσαί θηρεῦσαί θηρεύσαισαν θηρεύσας θηρεύσει θηρεύσεις θήρευσόν θηρεύσονται θηρεύσουσιν θηριάλωτον θηρίαλωτον θηριαλώτου θηριαλώτων θηριόβρωτος thereusai thereûsaí thēreusai thēreûsaí
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Englishman's Concordance
Luke 11:54 V-ANA
GRK: ἐνεδρεύοντες αὐτὸν θηρεῦσαί τι ἐκ
NAS: plotting against Him to catch [Him] in something
KJV: and seeking to catch something out of
INT: watching him to catch in something out of

Strong's Greek 2340
1 Occurrence


θηρεῦσαί — 1 Occ.

2339
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