In the Bible, the concept of traps is often used both literally and metaphorically to describe physical snares as well as spiritual and moral pitfalls. The imagery of traps is employed to convey the dangers that can ensnare individuals, leading them away from righteousness and into sin or harm.

Literal Traps:

In ancient times, traps were commonly used for hunting animals. The Bible references these devices to illustrate the cunning and deceitful nature of those who seek to harm others. 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 the hidden dangers and schemes that God protects His people from.

Metaphorical Traps:

1. Sin and Temptation:
The Bible frequently warns against the traps of sin and temptation. Proverbs 29:6 states, "An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices." This verse highlights how sin can ensnare individuals, leading to their downfall, while the righteous find joy and freedom.

2. Deception and False Teachings:
False teachings and deceptive practices are likened to traps that can lead believers astray. In 2 Timothy 2:26, Paul speaks of those who have been ensnared by the devil, "and that 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 danger of being misled by false doctrines.

3. Worldly Entanglements:
The pursuit of wealth and worldly desires is another form of trap mentioned in Scripture. In 1 Timothy 6:9, Paul warns, "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." The love of money and materialism can entrap individuals, diverting them from their faith and leading to spiritual ruin.

4. Human Schemes and Betrayal:
The Bible also speaks of human schemes and betrayal as traps. In Psalm 140:5, David prays for deliverance from the wicked, saying, "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 reflects the reality of malicious intentions and the need for divine protection against such threats.

Divine Protection and Deliverance:

Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a deliverer who rescues His people from traps. Psalm 124:7 proclaims, "We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away." This imagery emphasizes God's power to break the bonds of ensnarement and provide freedom to those who trust in Him.

Wisdom and Vigilance:

Believers are encouraged to exercise wisdom and vigilance to avoid falling into traps. Proverbs 22:3 advises, "The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences." This counsel highlights the importance of discernment and foresight in navigating life's challenges.

In summary, the Bible uses the concept of traps to illustrate the various dangers that can ensnare individuals, whether through sin, deception, worldly desires, or human schemes. Believers are called to rely on God's protection, exercise wisdom, and remain vigilant to avoid these pitfalls.(n. pl.) Small or portable articles for dress, furniture, or use; goods; luggage; things.

Psalm CXL.
... "And have stretched out cords as traps." What cords? ... Therefore he said, "they spread
cords and traps;" that is, by their sins they desired to overthrow me. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxl.htm

Psalm LXXVII.
... Where do they not lay traps? ... For how can they have done otherwise than anticipate
watches, that have set everywhere scandals, everywhere traps? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvii.htm

Thoughts for the Clergy on the Amusement Question.
... loves. They throw off the shackles which youth hates. Our cities and villages
swarm with traps set expressly for them. Thousands ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/thoughts for the clergy on.htm

Third Part of the Book.
... be well armed against the arrows of his foe, that severely shoots at him; and the
more may he dread him because he cannot see him: with foot-traps and snares ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/third part of the book.htm

The Woman Taken in Adultery.
... Setting traps and digging pitfalls are illegitimate methods even of
slaughtering wild animals, and the sportsman disdains them. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xvii the woman taken in.htm

"My Times are in Thy Hand"
... They ran hither and thither, using all kinds of nets and traps to make the man of
God their victim; but he met all their inventions with the one simple defense ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/my times are in thy.htm

But it is Tedious to Describe in Detail all My Labours one by One. ...
... will tell briefly how most holy God frequently delivered me, from slavery, and from
the twelve trials with which my soul was threatened, from man traps as well ...
/.../patrick/the confession of st patrick/section 35 but it is.htm

The Requirements of the King
... purely religious purpose, not seeking personal advantage for himself or for others,
like the crowds who followed for loaves and cures, nor laying traps for Him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the requirements of the king.htm

The vineyard and Its Keepers
... the three parables occasioned by it, namely, those of the two sons, this one, and
that of the marriage of the king's son; the three answers to the traps of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the vineyard and its keepers.htm

Ep. Xlii. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata.
... For since the death of the blessed Bishop Eusebius I am not a little afraid lest
they who on a former occasion set traps for our Metropolis, and wanted to fill ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xlii to eusebius bishop.htm

Traps (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Traps (8 Occurrences). ... These men set traps to catch
unstedfast souls, their own hearts being well trained in greed. ...
/t/traps.htm - 8k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To catch in a trap or traps; as, to trap foxes. 13. ... 15. (vi) To set traps
for game; to make a business of trapping game; as, to trap for beaver. Int. ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... The traps and snares used for this purpose are mentioned Hosea 5:1; Proverbs
7:23; 22:5; Amos 3:5; Psalm 69:22; comp. Deuteronomy 22:6, 7. ...
/f/fowler.htm - 11k

Snares (24 Occurrences)
... 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of
these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and ...
/s/snares.htm - 12k

Snare (69 Occurrences)
... They have set traps for me. Selah. ... Psalms 141:9 Keep me from the snare which they
have laid for me, from the traps of the workers of iniquity. ...
/s/snare.htm - 31k

Unstedfast (5 Occurrences)
... These men set traps to catch unstedfast souls, their own hearts being well trained
in greed. They are fore-doomed to God's curse! (WEY ASV). ...
/u/unstedfast.htm - 8k

Gin (10 Occurrences)
... snaring wild birds alive. There are over half a dozen traps and net devices
indicated by different terms in the Bible. The gin was ...
/g/gin.htm - 12k

Way-side (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS). Psalms 140:5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have
spread a net by the way-side; they have set traps for me. Selah. (DBY). ...
/w/way-side.htm - 9k

Fore-doomed (1 Occurrence)
... These men set traps to catch unstedfast souls, their own hearts being well
trained in greed. They are fore-doomed to God's curse! (WEY). ...
/f/fore-doomed.htm - 6k

Trappings (1 Occurrence)

/t/trappings.htm - 6k

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