In biblical times, a "fowler" was a person who trapped or hunted birds, often using nets or snares. The term is used metaphorically in the Bible to describe the dangers and traps that can ensnare individuals, particularly in a spiritual or moral sense. The imagery of a fowler and his snares is employed to convey the subtlety and hidden nature of certain threats.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 91:3 · "Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly plague." In this verse, the psalmist speaks of God's protection over His people, assuring them that He will rescue them from hidden dangers and deadly threats. The "snare of the fowler" symbolizes the unseen traps set by enemies or evil forces.

2. Proverbs 6:5 · "Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler." Here, the fowler's snare is used as a metaphor for the entrapments of debt or foolish commitments. The verse encourages individuals to escape from such entanglements with urgency and determination.

3. Jeremiah 5:26 · "For My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait like fowlers lying in ambush; they set a trap, they catch men." In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah condemns the deceitful practices of the wicked among God's people. The fowler's tactics are likened to those who exploit and ensnare others through deceit and treachery.

4. Hosea 9:8 · "The prophet is the watchman of Ephraim with my God; yet the fowler’s snare is on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God." This verse highlights the challenges faced by the prophet, who, despite being a watchman for the people, encounters constant threats and opposition, symbolized by the fowler's snare.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The fowler's snare is a powerful symbol in Scripture, representing the hidden and often unexpected dangers that can lead individuals away from righteousness. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and reliance on God's protection. The imagery underscores the cunning and deceptive nature of sin and temptation, which can entrap the unwary.

In a broader spiritual context, the fowler's snare can be seen as a representation of Satan's attempts to lead believers astray. The Bible encourages believers to be aware of these spiritual dangers and to seek refuge in God's guidance and deliverance.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of the fowler and his snares serves as a call to spiritual alertness and moral integrity. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and the need to avoid situations or influences that could lead to spiritual compromise. Trusting in God's protection and wisdom is essential in navigating the challenges and temptations of life.

The metaphor of the fowler also encourages believers to examine their own lives for any hidden sins or harmful patterns that may be ensnaring them. Through prayer, repentance, and reliance on God's strength, they can find freedom and deliverance from these spiritual traps.3353. yaqush -- a fowler, trapper
... Word Origin pass. part. of yaqosh Definition a fowler, trapper NASB Word
Usage fowler (1), fowlers (1), trapper (1). fowler, snare. ...
/hebrew/3353.htm - 6k

Psalm CXXIV.
... 9. "Our soul is escaped, even as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers" (ver.7).
Because the Lord was in the soul itself, therefore hath that soul escaped ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxiv.htm

It is Then My Purpose to Prove to You...
... So they did in our case what crafty fowlers are wont to do, who set branches
smeared with bird-lime beside water to deceive thirsty birds. ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 2 it is then.htm

The Plagues
... In a little space the marshes, which had been, for eight months, favorite haunts
of fowlers, would be submerged, for the inundation was not far away. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxix the plagues.htm

My Children have Been Slain
... 2. The fowlers have taken, my doves out of my strongholds,"which quitted their
nests, and fled to the caves;"in the net have they taken them. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn x my children have.htm

Zain.
... of the Martyrs might not faint; and who by the presence of His Spirit gave strength
to them in their toils, that they might escape from the snare of the fowlers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/zain.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... chariot like Elijah's waiting to carry you to heaven, [354] and shall joyfully sing:
"Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... called his answer 'The Gospel of Peace contended for in the spirit of meekness and
of love.' He meekly commences with"'How long, ye crafty fowlers, will ye ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Letter Xlii. To Chilo, his Disciple.
... "I am escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers." [2080] I am living,
O evil thought, in the desert in which the Lord lived. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xlii to chilo his.htm

Tee Advice of Hotep
... foot. The place should have been a favorite haunt of fowlers, but it was
lonely and overshadowed with a sense of absolute desertion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvi tee advice of.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... shielded warrior, remain quiet, fear no ill; but, like the eagle in its lofty eyrie,
look thou down upon the fowlers in the plain, turn thy bold eye upon them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

Fowlers (2 Occurrences)
...Fowlers (2 Occurrences). Psalms 124:7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the
snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. ...
/f/fowlers.htm - 6k

Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... The fowlers supplied the demand for doves and other birds used for caged pets, and
furnished the market with wild pigeons and doves for sacrifice and such ...
/f/fowler.htm - 11k

Fowler's (3 Occurrences)

/f/fowler's.htm - 7k

Traps (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Jeremiah 5:26 For among My people are found wicked men; they pry, as fowlers
lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men. (See NIV). ...
/t/traps.htm - 8k

Pry (1 Occurrence)
... Pry (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they
watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men. (See JPS). ...
/p/pry.htm - 7k

Stoop (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as
fowlers stoop down; they set a trap, they catch men. (DBY). ...
/s/stoop.htm - 10k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they watch,
as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men. ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Catch (46 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they watch,
as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men. ...
/c/catch.htm - 22k

Hunting (9 Occurrences)
... 4. Fowlers and Their Snares: The hunting of birds or fowling is so often referred
or alluded to that it must have been very widely practiced (compare Psalm 91:3 ...
/h/hunting.htm - 22k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus