Ensnare
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "ensnare" in the biblical context often refers to the act of trapping or capturing someone or something, typically in a metaphorical sense. It is used to describe situations where individuals are caught in sin, deceit, or the consequences of their actions. The concept of ensnarement is frequently associated with the dangers of temptation, false teachings, and the deceitfulness of sin.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the idea of being ensnared is often linked to idolatry and the worship of false gods. For instance, in Exodus 23:33, God warns the Israelites about the inhabitants of the Promised Land: "They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." Here, the snare is the temptation to adopt the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, which would lead the Israelites away from their covenant with God.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 7:16, the Israelites are instructed to destroy the nations in the land so that they will not be ensnared by their gods: "You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God gives over to you. Do not look on them with pity, and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you."

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the concept of ensnarement in the context of moral and ethical living. Proverbs 29:6 states, "An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices." This verse highlights the self-destructive nature of sin, which acts as a snare for the wicked.

Proverbs 22:25 warns against associating with a hot-tempered person, "or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare." This reflects the biblical principle that bad company corrupts good character, leading one into moral traps.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, ensnarement is often associated with spiritual deception and the dangers of false teachings. In 2 Timothy 2:26, Paul speaks of those who have been ensnared by the devil: "Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." This passage underscores the spiritual battle believers face and the need for vigilance against the devil's schemes.

The Apostle Paul also warns against the love of money as a potential snare in 1 Timothy 6:9: "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction." Here, the pursuit of wealth is depicted as a trap that can lead to spiritual downfall.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of ensnarement serves as a warning to believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith. It emphasizes the importance of discernment, obedience to God's commandments, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to avoid the traps set by sin and the enemy. The Bible consistently calls believers to be aware of the snares of the world and to seek refuge in God's truth and righteousness.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to guard their hearts and minds against the influences that can lead them away from God. This includes being cautious about the company they keep, the teachings they accept, and the desires they pursue. By staying rooted in Scripture and maintaining a close relationship with God, believers can avoid the snares that threaten their spiritual well-being.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(v. t.) To catch in a snare; to entrap.
Greek
1389. doloo -- to ensnare, fig. to adulterate
... 1388, 1389. doloo. 1390 . to ensnare, fig. ... See 1388 (). Word Origin from dolos
Definition to ensnare, fig. to adulterate NASB Word Usage adulterating (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1389.htm - 7k

1758. enecho -- to hold in or upon, ie to ensnare, by impl. to ...
... 1757, 1758. enecho. 1759 . to hold in or upon, ie to ensnare, by impl. ... Word
Origin from en and echo Definition to hold in or upon, ie to ensnare, by impl. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1758.htm - 6k

3802. pagideuo -- to set a trap
... to set a trap. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pagideuo Phonetic Spelling:
(pag-id-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I ensnare, entrap Definition: I ensnare ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3802.htm - 6k

163. aichmalotizo -- to take or lead captive
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aichmalotizo Phonetic Spelling: (aheekh-mal-
o-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I take captive, subdue, ensnare Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/163.htm - 6k

2221. zogreo -- to catch alive
... take captive, catch. From the same as zoon and agreuo; to take alive (make a prisoner
of war), ie (figuratively) to capture or ensnare -- take captive, catch. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2221.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
6351. pachach -- to ensnare
... 6350, 6351. pachach. 6352 . to ensnare. Transliteration: pachach Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-khakh') Short Definition: trapped. Word ...
/hebrew/6351.htm - 6k

6983. qush -- to lay bait or lure
... to lay bait or lure. Transliteration: qush Phonetic Spelling: (koshe) Short Definition:
ensnare. ... root Definition to lay bait or lure NASB Word Usage ensnare (1). ...
/hebrew/6983.htm - 6k

3369. yaqosh -- to lay a bait or lure
... fowler lay a snare. A primitive root; to ensnare (literally or figuratively) --
fowler (lay a) snare. 3368, 3369. yaqosh. 3370 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3369.htm - 6k

Library

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. (Court of the Temple. ... a 15 Then went the
Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to.htm

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... Part Seventh. Last Week of Our Lord's Ministry, the Fourth Passover, the Crucifixion.
CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. (Court of the Temple. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to 3.htm

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... Part Seventh. Last Week of Our Lord's Ministry, the Fourth Passover, the Crucifixion.
CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. (Court of the Temple. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to 4.htm

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... Part Seventh. Last Week of Our Lord's Ministry, the Fourth Passover, the Crucifixion.
CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. (Court of the Temple. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to 2.htm

Then Went the Pharisees and Considered How they Might Ensnare Him ...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section XXXIV. Then went the Pharisees and
considered how they might ensnare him in a word? [1] [2315 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxiv then went the.htm

The Four-Fold Gospel
... CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare
Jesus. CIX. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. CIX. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/

Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus.
... If there was to be not unprejudiced, but even fair inquiry, let Caiaphas not try
to extort confessions to which he had no legal right, nor to ensnare Him when ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii thursday night -.htm

The Diatessaron of Tatian
... of the city? Section XXXIV. Then went the Pharisees and considered how
they might ensnare him in a word? Section XXXV. And on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/

The Self-Evidencing Power of Truth.
... But since the adversary does not cease to resist many, and uses many and divers
arts to ensnare them, that he may seduce the faithful from their faith, and ...
/.../chapter i the self-evidencing power of.htm

Profession of Soeur Therese
... But it was my turn now to ensnare him, for, to make my humiliation more complete,
I also told you everything, dear Mother, and your consoling words dispelled ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter viii profession of soeur.htm

Thesaurus
Ensnare (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ensnare (15 Occurrences). Matthew 22:15 Then went the
Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in 'his' talk. ...
/e/ensnare.htm - 10k

Entangle (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To involve in such complications as to render extrication a bewildering
difficulty; hence, metaphorically, to ensnare; to perplex; to bewilder; to ...
/e/entangle.htm - 11k

Snare (69 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To catch with a snare; to ensnare; to entangle; hence, to bring into unexpected
evil, perplexity, or danger. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SNARE. ...
/s/snare.htm - 31k

Ensnared (10 Occurrences)

/e/ensnared.htm - 9k

Noose (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A running knot, or loop, which binds the closer the more it is drawn. 2.
(vt) To tie in a noose; to catch in a noose; to entrap; to ensnare. ...
/n/noose.htm - 7k

Lime (4 Occurrences)
... plastering, mortar, etc. 6. (vt) To smear with a viscous substance, as birdlime.
7. (vt) To entangle; to ensnare. 8. (vt) To treat ...
/l/lime.htm - 11k

Try (84 Occurrences)
... Try (84 Occurrences). Mark 12:15 Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?" But
He, knowing their hypocrisy, replied, "Why try to ensnare me? ...
/t/try.htm - 31k

Trying (68 Occurrences)
... cause? (ASV). Matthew 22:18 Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why
are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? (WEY NIV). Matthew ...
/t/trying.htm - 24k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) A kind of movable stepladder. 12. (vt) To catch in a trap or traps; as,
to trap foxes. 13. (vt) Fig.: To ensnare; to take by stratagem; to entrap. 14. ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Refuse (103 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Mark 12:15 Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?" But He,
knowing their hypocrisy, replied, "Why try to ensnare me? ...
/r/refuse.htm - 36k

Resources
What are the wiles of the devil in Ephesians 6:11? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Michal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to have a holier-than-thou attitude? | GotQuestions.org

Ensnare: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ensnare (15 Occurrences)

Matthew 22:15
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in 'his' talk.
(ASV DBY YLT)

Matthew 22:18
Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me?
(WEY)

Mark 12:13
and they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they may ensnare him in discourse,
(YLT)

Mark 12:15
Shall we pay, or shall we refuse to pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, replied, "Why try to ensnare me? Bring me a shilling for me to look at."
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 7:35
This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.
(WEB)

Job 34:30
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Psalms 35:8
Let destruction come on him unawares. Let his net that he has hidden catch himself. Let him fall into that destruction.
(See RSV)

Psalms 119:61
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 5:22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
(WEB JPS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 22:25
lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 29:8
Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.
(YLT)

Ecclesiastes 7:26
I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
(Root in WEB NIV)

Isaiah 29:21
Who give help to a man in a wrong cause, and who put a net for the feet of him who gives decisions in the public place, taking away a man's right without cause.
(See NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 13:18
and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 13:20
Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against your pillows, with which you there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let the souls go, even the souls whom you hunt to make them fly.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Ensnare

Related Terms

Ensnare (15 Occurrences)

Snared (11 Occurrences)

Inquiring (23 Occurrences)

Traps (8 Occurrences)

Trapped (10 Occurrences)

Ensue (1 Occurrence)

Captivate (2 Occurrences)

Snares (24 Occurrences)

Hypocrite (10 Occurrences)

Fall (522 Occurrences)

Ungodly (41 Occurrences)

Beware (51 Occurrences)

Inquire (95 Occurrences)

Trap (35 Occurrences)

Pleases (51 Occurrences)

Snare (69 Occurrences)

Sinner (88 Occurrences)

Likewise (149 Occurrences)

Chains (100 Occurrences)

Destroyed (377 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Escape (142 Occurrences)

Gods (310 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Enslaving
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