Snare

The snare (Hebrew pah or moqesh, Greek pagis) was a trap used to catch birds or animals, consisting of a noose or spring mechanism concealed to catch unsuspecting prey. The image pervades biblical wisdom, prophecy, and psalm literature as a metaphor for sudden, unexpected spiritual or moral danger. Proverbs repeatedly warns that the lips of an adulteress are a snare (Proverbs 7:23), that flattery is a snare (Proverbs 29:5), and that the fear of man brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25). Psalm 91:3 promises that God will deliver his servant from the snare of the fowler.

The Mosaic law warned that the idols of the Canaanites would be a snare to Israel (Exodus 23:33; Deuteronomy 7:16), a warning repeatedly fulfilled in the narratives of Judges. Paul warns Timothy of the snares of the devil who takes people captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Timothy 3:7). Ecclesiastes 9:12 uses the snare as an image of death catching people suddenly, like fish in a net or birds in a trap.