(usually the rendering in the A.V. of
éִ÷ִùׁ ÷åֹùׁ
, or
ðָ÷ִùׁ
, all kindred roots signifying to catch by the foot in a spring noose; occasionally of
ôִּç
, etc.;
âñü÷ïò
,
ðáãßò
), a gin, net, or trap, especially of the fowler (Isa_8:14; Amos 3, 5); also such a one as seizes and holds beasts or men by the foot (Job_18:9; Jer_18:22). They were set in the path or hidden in the ground (Pro_7:23; Pro_22:5; Psa_140:5; Psa_119:110; Jer_18:22). The form of this spring or trap net appears from the original word pach (Amo_3:5; Psa_69:23). It was in two parts, which, when set, were spread out upon the ground and slightly fastened with a stick (trap stick), so that as soon as a bird or beast touched the stick, the parts flew up and enclosed the bird in the net or caught the foot of the animal.(Job_18:9). In Psa_69:23, “Let their table before them become a net,” here the shulchan is the Oriental cloth or leather spread upon the ground like a net. The original term is figuratively put for any cause of destruction (Jos_23:13; Hos_5:1; Job_22:10). Thus is usually rendered Psa_11:6, “Upon the wicked God shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone.” But the Hebrew word might here be rendered coals, burning coals, and then lightning. Still the significations nets, snares, may here well be retained as an emblem of destruction to the wicked. The “snares of death” (2Sa_22:6; Psa_18:5) are poetically put in apposition with the cords (A.V. improperly “sorrows”) of Sheol. SEENET.