In biblical literature, the term "hooks" is often used metaphorically and literally, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. The concept of hooks is primarily associated with capturing, securing, or drawing something or someone, and it is used in both practical and symbolic senses.

Old Testament References

1. Fishing and Capturing: In the Old Testament, hooks are frequently mentioned in the context of fishing, a common occupation in ancient Israel. For instance, in Job 41:1-2, God challenges Job with the question, "Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?" . This passage uses the imagery of a hook to illustrate the futility of human efforts to control the mighty Leviathan, symbolizing God's supreme power over creation.

2. Temple Implements: Hooks were also part of the temple furnishings. In Exodus 27:3, God instructs Moses regarding the construction of the altar, specifying, "Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans" . The "meat forks" mentioned here are often understood as hooks used in the sacrificial process, highlighting their role in the religious practices of the Israelites.

3. Symbol of Judgment: The prophets occasionally used hooks as symbols of judgment and captivity. In Ezekiel 29:4, God declares His judgment against Pharaoh, saying, "But I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams cling to your scales. I will pull you out from among your streams, with all the fish clinging to your scales" . This vivid imagery portrays the inescapable nature of divine judgment.

4. Metaphor for Control: Similarly, in Ezekiel 38:4, God speaks of Gog, saying, "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all brandishing their swords" . Here, hooks symbolize God's control over the nations, directing them according to His sovereign will.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently mention hooks, the concept of fishing, which inherently involves hooks, is significant in the ministry of Jesus. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls His first disciples, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" . This metaphorical use of fishing implies the use of hooks, symbolizing the disciples' future role in drawing people to the Kingdom of God.

Theological Implications

The use of hooks in the Bible often conveys themes of divine sovereignty, judgment, and the inescapable nature of God's will. Whether in the context of capturing a mighty creature like Leviathan or symbolizing the control over nations, hooks serve as a powerful reminder of God's authority and the futility of resisting His plans. Additionally, the metaphor of fishing for men underscores the transformative mission of the Gospel, where believers are called to draw others into a relationship with Christ.

In summary, hooks in the biblical narrative serve as multifaceted symbols, representing both practical tools and profound spiritual truths. They illustrate the themes of divine power, judgment, and the call to evangelism, woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture.Hooks Hook

Various kinds of hooks are noticed in the Bible, of which the following are the most important:

1. Fishing hooks. (Job 41:2; Isaiah 19:8); Habb 1:15
2. A ring, such as in our country is placed through the nose of a bull, and similarly used in the East for leading about lions -- (Ezekiel 19:4) where the Authorized Version has "with chains --camels and other animals. Called "thorn" in (Job 41:2) A similar method was adopted for leading prisoners. (2 Chronicles 33:11)
3. The hooks of the pillars of the tabernacle. (Exodus 26:32,37; 27:10) ff.; Exod 38:13 ff.
4. A vinedressers pruning-hook. (Isaiah 2:4; 18:5; Micah 4:3; Joel 3:10)
5. A flesh-hook for getting up the joints of meat out of the boiling-pot. (Exodus 27:3; 1 Samuel 2:13,14)
6. Probably "hooks" used for the purpose of hanging up animals to flay them. (Ezekiel 40:43)

8240b. shephathayim -- probably hook-shaped pegs, hooks
... 8240a, 8240b. shephathayim. 8241 . probably hook-shaped pegs, hooks.
Transliteration: shephathayim Short Definition: hooks. Word ...
/hebrew/8240b.htm - 5k

2053. vav -- a hook, pin, peg
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a hook, pin, peg NASB Word Usage
hooks (13). hook. Probably a hook (the name of the sixth Heb. Letter) -- hook. ...
/hebrew/2053.htm - 5k

2397. chach -- hook, ring, fetter
... Word Origin from the same as choach Definition hook, ring, fetter NASB Word Usage
brooches (1), hook (2), hooks (4). bracelet, chain, hook. Once (Ezek. ...
/hebrew/2397.htm - 6k

6793a. tsinnah -- probably a hook, barb
... Word Origin from the same as tsen Definition probably a hook, barb NASB Word Usage
meat hooks (1). 6793, 6793a. tsinnah. 6793b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6793a.htm - 5k

2336. choach -- briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter
... briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter NASB Word Usage briars (1), hook (1), hooks
(1), thickets (1), thistles (1), thorn (1), thorn bush (4), thorns (2). ...
/hebrew/2336.htm - 6k

5518b. sir -- a thorn, hook
... Word Origin from the same as sir Definition a thorn, hook NASB Word Usage hooks
(1), thorn bushes (1), thorns (3). 5518a, 5518b. sir. 5519 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5518b.htm - 5k

7165. qeres -- a hook
... Word Origin from qaras Definition a hook NASB Word Usage clasps (9), hooks (1).
tache. From qarac; a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form) -- tache. ...
/hebrew/7165.htm - 6k

4211. mazmerah -- a pruning knife
... hooks. Word Origin from zamar Definition a pruning knife NASB Word Usage
pruning hooks (3), pruning knives (1). pruning-hook. From ...
/hebrew/4211.htm - 6k

The Pilgrim's Progress of 1352
... But it was told him that for these blessed people the enemy had in readiness two
great hooks, which he cast into ... And therefore the first hook was called Self. ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xlvii the pilgrims progress.htm

Proof against the Marcionites, that the Prophets Referred in all ...
... and war-lances into ploughshares, and changed them into pruning-hooks for reaping ...
He Himself who has made the plough, and introduced the pruning-hook, that is ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiv proof against the marcionites.htm

A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem.
... the upper strap, and fastened it to one of the hooks on the ladder; they did the
same with the two other straps, and passing them all on from hook to hook ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlix a description of.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... her hands two needles (of bone, I think) with little hooks. One must be half a yard
long. The other is shorter. The needle is prolonged beyond the hook, and it ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

The Draw-Net.
... The fishermen prosecuted their avocation sometimes with line and baited hooks,
sometimes with boat and nets. Fishing with line and hook, a process of watching ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/vii the draw-net.htm

The Adventures of Saint Patrick of Ireland.
... by at the time, and which Saint Patrick caught with cunningly-devised hooks; and
thus ... taller than all the rest, with a cable at one end, and a hook bigger than ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter nine the adventures of.htm

Trinidad
... tells, too, how the prickly climbing palm, {58} the Croc-chien, or Hook-dog, pest ...
ran from the English, one of them was caught in the innumerable hooks of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter iii trinidad.htm

The Right Kind of Fear
... They say that they mean to get the worm off without letting the hook catch hold
of them. They have very clever ways of sucking worms off hooks, and they are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the right kind of fear.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... at one time cutting away the thorns from the soil with a bill-hook, at another ... And
the pots, and the flesh-hooks, and the bowls, and the censers, and all the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

The Two Effects of the Gospel
... and silver hooks; they always use nicely polished phrases; but the fish will not
bite for all that, whereas we of a rougher order have put the hook into the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the two effects of the.htm

What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to “let the weak say I am strong” in Joel 3:10? | GotQuestions.org

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Hooks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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