יָקֹשׁ

# יָקֹשׁ (yaqosh): To Snare The Hebrew verb יָקֹשׁ denotes the act of setting a snare or trap, with the primary sense of capturing or ensnaring something or someone. Based on its eight occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, this word belongs to the semantic field of hunting and entrapment, describing an intentional action where one creates a device to catch prey or, metaphorically, to trap a person into wrongdoing or danger. The word's significance lies in its frequent use as a metaphor for deception and moral danger. While the literal meaning relates to physical traps used in hunting, the biblical text employs יָקֹשׁ to describe spiritual and relational hazards—ways that people become caught through temptation, false counsel, or the schemes of others. This metaphorical extension suggests that ancient Hebrew speakers understood moral and spiritual threats through the vivid imagery of physical entrapment, making the word a powerful tool for conveying vulnerability to sin and harm. With only eight biblical occurrences, יָקֹשׁ appears as a specialized term rather than a common word, indicating that Hebrew had more frequent alternatives for describing capture or harm. Its limited but concentrated use suggests it carried particular rhetorical weight when employed, likely chosen to emphasize the deliberate and cunningly