In biblical literature, the concept of a "trap" is often used both literally and metaphorically to describe devices or schemes intended to ensnare or deceive. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual dangers.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, traps are frequently mentioned in the context of hunting and warfare. For example, in Psalm 91:3, the psalmist declares, "Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly plague." Here, the "snare of the fowler" is a metaphor for hidden dangers and the protection God provides against them.

The concept of a trap is also used to describe the deceitful schemes of the wicked. In Psalm 140:5, it is written, "The proud have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and set traps along my path." This verse highlights the malicious intent of the wicked to entrap the righteous.

In the wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, traps are often symbolic of the consequences of folly and sin. Proverbs 22:5 states, "Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them." This illustrates the moral and spiritual pitfalls that await those who stray from the path of righteousness.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the idea of a trap is frequently associated with the spiritual realm and the tactics of Satan. In 1 Timothy 3:7, Paul advises that a church leader "must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil." This warning underscores the spiritual traps that can lead to moral failure and disrepute.

Jesus Himself used the imagery of a trap in His teachings. In Luke 21:34, He cautions, "But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a trap." Here, Jesus warns of the spiritual lethargy and distractions that can ensnare believers, leading them away from readiness for His return.

Theological Implications

Theologically, traps in the Bible often represent the subtle and deceptive nature of sin and temptation. They serve as a reminder of the vigilance required to maintain spiritual integrity and the need for divine protection. The imagery of a trap underscores the importance of wisdom, discernment, and reliance on God to navigate the moral and spiritual challenges of life.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical concept of a trap serves as a call to be watchful and prayerful. Ephesians 6:11 exhorts Christians to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage emphasizes the necessity of spiritual preparedness and the protective power of God's truth and righteousness.

In summary, the motif of a trap in the Bible is a powerful symbol of the hidden dangers and deceptions that can lead individuals away from God's path. It calls for a life of vigilance, prayer, and dependence on God's guidance and protection.1. (v. t.) To dress with ornaments; to adorn; -- said especially of horses.

2. (n.) An old term rather loosely used to designate various dark-colored, heavy igneous rocks, including especially the feldspathic-augitic rocks, basalt, dolerite, amygdaloid, etc., but including also some kinds of diorite. Called also trap rock.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to trap rock; as, a trap dike.

4. (n.) A machine or contrivance that shuts suddenly, as with a spring, used for taking game or other animals; as, a trap for foxes.

5. (n.) Fig.: A snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which one may be caught unawares.

6. (n.) A wooden instrument shaped somewhat like a shoe, used in the game of trapball. It consists of a pivoted arm on one end of which is placed the ball to be thrown into the air by striking the other end. Also, a machine for throwing into the air glass balls, clay pigeons, etc., to be shot at.

7. (n.) The game of trapball.

8. (n.) A bend, sag, or partitioned chamber, in a drain, soil pipe, sewer, etc., arranged so that the liquid contents form a seal which prevents passage of air or gas, but permits the flow of liquids.

9. (n.) A place in a water pipe, pump, etc., where air accumulates for want of an outlet.

10. (n.) A wagon, or other vehicle.

11. (n.) A kind of movable stepladder.

12. (v. t.) To catch in a trap or traps; as, to trap foxes.

13. (v. t.) Fig.: To ensnare; to take by stratagem; to entrap.

14. (v. t.) To provide with a trap; as, to trap a drain; to trap a sewer pipe. See 4th Trap, 5.

15. (v. i.) To set traps for game; to make a business of trapping game; as, to trap for beaver.

TRAP

(moqesh; thera, literally, "hunting," used metaphorically in Psalms and Romans as "trap"): Any of the methods for taking birds; see SNARE; NET; GIN, etc. It is probable that a trap was more particularly a hole in the ground covered with twigs, concealed by leaves and baited with food. Such devices were common in taking the largest animals and may have been used with birds also. Trap is mentioned frequently in connection with snare and in such manner as to indicate that they were different devices: "Know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no more drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap unto you" (Joshua 23:13). Another such reference will be found in Psalm 69:22:

"Let their table before them become a snare;

And when they are in peace, let it become a trap."

This is quoted in Romans 11:9: "Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,

And a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them."

An instance where a trap alone is referred to can be found in Jeremiah 5:26: "They set a trap, they catch men." Isaiah 42:22 uses this expression, "snared in holes." This might mean that a snare was placed in a hole, or that the hole was the snare to lure bird or animal to its death. The former proposition is sustained by Job, who says, "A noose is hid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way" (18:10). This translation appears as if it were reversed and should read, "A trap is hid for him in the ground and a noose in the way."

Gene Stratton-Porter

4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ...
... a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense.
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skandalon Phonetic Spelling: (skan ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k

3803. pagis -- a trap, snare
... a trap, snare. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pagis Phonetic Spelling:
(pag-ece') Short Definition: a snare, trap Definition: a snare, trap ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3803.htm - 7k

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

2339. thera -- a hunting, prey
... Word Origin from ther (a wild beast) Definition a hunting, prey NASB Word
Usage trap (1). trap. From ther (a wild animal, as game ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2339.htm - 6k

1185. deleazo -- to lure
... 1185 (from , "bait") -- properly, to a hook or set a trap with bait; (figuratively)
a victim into a moral trap, luring them in through their own . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1185.htm - 6k

797. astrapto -- to lighten, flash forth
... to lighten, flash forth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: astrapto Phonetic
Spelling: (as-trap'-to) Short Definition: I flash, am lustrous Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/797.htm - 6k

4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to ...
... Cognate: 4624 -- properly, ("") figuratively) "to hinder right conduct or thought; "
-- literally, "to fall into a trap" (). See 4625 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4624.htm - 8k

1823. exastrapto -- to flash or gleam like lightning, be radiant
... to flash or gleam like lightning, be radiant. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
exastrapto Phonetic Spelling: (ex-as-trap'-to) Short Definition: I flash ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1823.htm - 6k

2160. eutrapelia -- ready wit, coarse jesting
... ready wit, coarse jesting. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eutrapelia
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-trap-el-ee'-ah) Short Definition: low jesting ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2160.htm - 6k

796. astrape -- lightning, brightness
... lightning, brightness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: astrape Phonetic
Spelling: (as-trap-ay') Short Definition: a flash of lightning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/796.htm - 6k

4434. malkodeth -- a catching instrument, a snare, trap
... 4433, 4434. malkodeth. 4435 . a catching instrument, a snare, trap.
Transliteration: malkodeth Phonetic Spelling: (mal-ko'-deth) Short Definition: trap. ...
/hebrew/4434.htm - 6k

6782. tsammim -- perhaps a snare, trap
... 6781b, 6782. tsammim. 6783 . perhaps a snare, trap. Transliteration: tsammim
Phonetic Spelling: (tsam-meem') Short Definition: schemer. ...
/hebrew/6782.htm - 6k

6341a. pach -- a bird trap
... 6341, 6341a. pach. 6341b . a bird trap. Transliteration: pach Short
Definition: snare. Word Origin from an unused word Definition ...
/hebrew/6341a.htm - 5k

6341. pach -- a bird trap
... 6340, 6341. pach. 6341a . a bird trap. Transliteration: pach Phonetic Spelling:
(pakh) Short Definition: gin. gin, thin plate, snare ...
/hebrew/6341.htm - 5k

4170. moqesh -- a bait or lure, a snare
... Word Origin from yaqosh Definition a bait or lure, a snare NASB Word Usage bait
(1), barbs (1), ensnared (2), snare (12), snares (8), trap (4). ...
/hebrew/4170.htm - 6k

4889. mashchith -- ruin, destruction
... Word Origin from shachath Definition ruin, destruction NASB Word Usage deathly
pallor (1), destroy (2), destruction (3), trap (1), utterly (1). ...
/hebrew/4889.htm - 6k

3619. kelub -- a basket, cage
... From the same as keleb; a bird-trap (as furnished with a clap-stick or treadle to
spring it); hence, a basket (as resembling a wicker cage) -- basket, cage. ...
/hebrew/3619.htm - 6k

6380. Pokereth Hatstsebayim -- "bindress of the gazelles," head of ...
... From the active participle (of the same form as the first word) feminine of an unused
root (meaning to entrap) and plural of tsbiy; trap of gazelles; Pokereth ...
/hebrew/6380.htm - 6k

7918. shakak -- to decrease, abate
... A primitive root; to weave (ie Lay) a trap; figuratively, (through the idea of
secreting) to allay (passions; physically, abate a flood) -- appease, assuage ...
/hebrew/7918.htm - 6k

3920. lakad -- to capture, seize, take
... A primitive root; to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy;
also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere -- X at all, catch (self ...
/hebrew/3920.htm - 6k

Psalm XXXV.
... "For without cause have they hid for me the corruption of their trap" (ver.7). For ...
For whom hid they their trap? For Him who saw the hearts of those that hid. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxv.htm

Incidents of Childhood
... The fathers were brothers. Two boys of the two families used to trap for
mink and other fur-bearing animals during the winter season. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iii incidents of childhood.htm

Psalm CXLII.
... 4. "In this way, wherein I was walking, they hid a trap for me." This "way wherein
I was walking," is Christ; there have they laid a trap for me, who persecute ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlii.htm

Psalm CXXIV.
... say, "Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth"
(ver.6). For the hunters were following, and had placed a bait in their trap ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxiv.htm

The Snare of the Fowler
... "Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird." Therefore the fowler
carefully covers up his trap; or, if the trap itself be uncovered he doth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the snare of the fowler.htm

Psalm CXLI.
... I know what Thou hast suffered for me, what Thou hast promised me. 12. "Keep me
from the trap which they have laid for me" (ver.9). What was the trap? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxli.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... Under the rostrum was the vestry, and through a trap door in the rostrum
floor the preacher climbed from the vestry to his place. ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

The Council of Constance (Ad 1414-1418)
... words as to his folly in undertaking the journey; and when he came in sight of
Constance at the foot of the hill, he said that it looked like a trap for foxes. ...
/.../chapter xxiv the council of.htm

The Lessons of a Feast
... He accepted 'greetings where no kindness is,' and on this occasion there was
none. The entertainer was a spy, and the feast was a trap. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lessons of a feast.htm

On Lent, xi.
... There is a trap in the fulness of riches, a trap in the straits of poverty. The
one lifts us up in pride, the other incites us to complaint. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xlix on lent xi.htm

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... diorite. Called also trap rock. 3. (a.) of or pertaining to trap rock; as,
a trap dike. 4. (n.) A machine or contrivance that shuts ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Fall-trap (3 Occurrences)
Fall-trap. Falls, Fall-trap. False . Multi-Version Concordance
Fall-trap (3 Occurrences). Romans 11:9 And David says ...
/f/fall-trap.htm - 7k

Gin (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A trap. ... Common gin is usually flavored with
turpentine. 5. (n.) Contrivance; artifice; a trap; a snare. ...
/g/gin.htm - 12k

Stumbling-block (20 Occurrences)
... One of the New Testament words, skandalon, literally means the stick of a trap to
which the bait is attached, and which when touched springs the trap. ...
/s/stumbling-block.htm - 15k

Stumblingblock (14 Occurrences)
... One of the New Testament words, skandalon, literally means the stick of a trap to
which the bait is attached, and which when touched springs the trap. ...
/s/stumblingblock.htm - 13k

Snare (69 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A contrivance, often consisting of a noose of cord, or the like, by which
a bird or other animal may be entangled and caught; a trap; a gin. ...
/s/snare.htm - 31k

Catch (46 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous,
that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the ...
/c/catch.htm - 22k

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... Skandalon is primarily "a trap-stick," "a bentstick on which the bait is fastened
which the animal strikes against and so springs the trap," hence, it came to ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Trapped (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Trap. Multi-Version Concordance
Trapped (10 Occurrences). Joshua 8:22 The others came out ...
/t/trapped.htm - 9k

Recompence (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: (KJV). ...
/r/recompence.htm - 14k

What does the Bible say about legalism? How can a Christian avoid falling into the trap of legalism? | GotQuestions.org

How is the fear of man a snare (Proverbs 29:25)? | GotQuestions.org

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

Trap: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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